Posts Tagged ‘Fiji: A Novel’

Let me recommend Book Club Reading List, a (first class) blog that publishes a newsletter introducing book clubs to authors. They’ve published an excellent article on developing a marketing plan for your book – something that’s all too often overlooked by new and (believe it or not) experienced writers.

As the article’s Author states:

While having a book marketing plan may sound obvious, most survey respondents did not have a marketing plan in place or perform any pre-release marketing whatsoever prior to their book’s launch. In addition, most respondents believed that their lack of planning significantly hindered their book’s success. According to Francene Carroll, author of Shadows of Yesterday, “I didn’t do any marketing for my first book, Shadows of Yesterday … and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is my worst performing book. I was very naive and didn’t realize how much work is involved in promoting your own books.”

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

A good marketing plan should do four things. First, it should help you identify your target audience. Second, it will help you build a platform to cultivate a relationship with your audience. Third, it will provide a schedule of events and milestones leading up to your book’s launch and beyond. Lastly, it will monitor and measure the success of each activity. Your marketing plan should focus on developing both short tail and long tail sales. Short tail sales events give your book an initial burst of sales right out of the gate, then fade as quickly as they started. These type of sales are crucial when launching your book to gain momentum on Amazon. Long tail sales will provide a steady base of sales that come from a deep online presence and the word of mouth that follows.

For the full article go to: http://bookclubreading.com/articles/how-to-sell-your-book/book-marketing-plan/

Book Club Reading List publishes a quarterly newsletter that introduces book clubs to authors who have agreed to make themselves available to participate in book club meetings. Book clubs can contact authors using details provided on our website and arrange for them to attend meetings by Skype, telephone, or in-person (when possible).

 

P.S. Season’s greetings and best for 2013.   –Lance & James

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A review of our historical, action/adventure/romance Fiji: A Novel – by Amazon reviewer L. Townsend – comes with a warning: “Don’t start this book expecting to be able to put it down before finishing it.”

Review excerpts follow below.

Fiji: A Novel

Excerpts from L. Townsend’s review follow:

4 of 5 stars false 

A Swashbuckling Romantic Adventure Set In The South Pacific!!!!!!

Fiji: A Novel snared my attention from the book’s beginning…

…Lance & James Morcan, the authors, have written an awesome story with a bit
of everything: history, snippets of everyday swashbuckling life in the South
Pacific, a love story, and thrilling adventure.. There’s also shark callers,
flame walkers, convicts, pseudo voodoo and more…

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fiji: A Novel as the authors developed the characters and the story…
The reader will be treated to a multitude of unexpected twists and turns…
Warning: Don’t start this book expecting to be able to put it down before finishing it.
Also, thank you to the authors for the epilogue which lets the reader know what happens to the tribe, islands, and remaining characters in the ensuing years. A much appreciated wrap to the story.

Bottomline: I look forward to reading more by these authors.

To read the full review, or to access the first few chapters of Fiji: A Novel free, or to buy the novel, go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/

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Coinciding with Amazon’s expansion of its kindle ebooks into Canada, our historical adventure-romance Fiji: A Novel has entered Amazon Canada’s bestseller list in the Historical Books category.

Fiji: A Novel

Amazon Top 500 reviewer, Great Historicals, has this to say about Fiji: A Novel in a 5-star review:

Ever since I read the Mutiny on the Bounty Trilogy as a teen, I have been drawn to exotic stories about the South Pacific. Fiji immediately drew my interest and I was more than pleased with this fascinating novel.
If you like your stories straight up, told like it really was, and without any sugar coating, then Fiji is sure to please. This novel transcends gender and will appeal to both male and female readers. The characters in the story fascinated me, evolving and adapting to their circumstances and surroundings. The underlying romance that weaves itself through the story is beautifully written and credible as the couple move from intense dislike to meaningful love.
This book had a bit of everything ‘ sex, violence, humor, historic detail, and plenty of twists to keep one reading. A warning for all readers – in keeping with the authentic tone throughout, you will come across scenes of ritualistic slaughter and cannibalism. A fabulous novel, beautiful for its blunt rawness, exotic scenery, and fascinating storyline. Definitely one to pick up and read. The Kindle version is less than a dollar! A quality book for sure!
To order the kindle ebook version of Fiji: A Novel go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/
Also available as a trade paperback.
Here’s another 5-star review for The Orphan Factory
★★★★★  Great read., November 8, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: The Orphan Factory (The Orphan Trilogy, #2) (Kindle Edition)

Couldn’t put it down. I read the Ninth Orphan, the first book so decided to read the second. I was not disappointed. After I read the Orphan Factory I re-read the Ninth Orphan. Can’t wait for book three.

The Orphan Factory (The Orphan Trilogy, #2)

The Orphan Factory is available as a kindle ebook and trade paperback via Amazon.

Here’s the kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008M9WWKW/

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Our swashbuckling historical novel has snuck into Goodreads’ list for ‘Best Humorous Books!

Here’s the link to that list. It makes for interesting reading and you’ll find some great books: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/312.Best_Humorous_Books

Fiji: A Novel currently sits at #91 (yay!) – and here’s the Top 5 on that same list as at 11 October 2012 PST:

  1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker’s Guide, #1)
    by Douglas Adams
  2. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
    by Terry Pratchett
  3. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal
    by Christopher Moore
  4. Me Talk Pretty One Day
    by David Sedaris
  5. The Princess Bride
    by William Goldman

And let’s not forget #91…

Fiji: A Novel

While we didn’t set out to be humorous when writing this novel, we found the period (early 1800’s) and the setting (Fiji/South Pacific) and the genre (historical romance/action-adventure) certainly allow for humor. They were bawdy, lusty days and we wanted to capture that in our writing.

As at today, I note our novel remains at #1 in Goodreads’ list for ‘Great Romance Novels’. One reviewer called it “a bodice-ripper”, but I think she exagerates… “A Fifty Shades of Grey” it ain’t!

-Lance

Our historical adventure-romance is currently top of Goodreads’ list for Great Romance Novels!

Here’s the link to that list. It makes for interesting reading and you’ll find some great books: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/17225.Great_Romance_Novels

And here’s the Top 10 on that same list as at 9 October 2012 PST:

1 Fiji: A Novel Fiji: A Novel
by Lance Morcan
4.0 of 5 stars4.00 avg rating — 95 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

2 Seduction and Snacks (Choco... Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers, #1)
by Tara Sivec (Goodreads Author)
4.53 of 5 stars4.53 avg rating — 3,473 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

3 Point of Retreat (Slammed, #2) Point of Retreat (Slammed, #2)
by Colleen Hoover (Goodreads Author)
4.4 of 5 stars4.40 avg rating — 15,296 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

4 Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty... Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)
by E.L. James (Goodreads Author)
3.61 of 5 stars3.61 avg rating — 257,700 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

5 Avoiding Commitment (Avoidi... Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding, #1)
by K.A. Linde (Goodreads Author)
4.18 of 5 stars4.18 avg rating — 3,744 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

6 Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
4.23 of 5 stars4.23 avg rating — 761,722 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

7 Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty ... Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades, #2)
by E.L. James (Goodreads Author)
3.97 of 5 stars3.97 avg rating — 153,733 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

8 Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty S... Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, #3)
by E.L. James (Goodreads Author)
3.93 of 5 stars3.93 avg rating — 131,090 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

9 Slammed (Slammed, #1) Slammed (Slammed, #1)
by Colleen Hoover (Goodreads Author)
4.39 of 5 stars4.39 avg rating — 18,158 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books Added to my books!
add my review 

10 The Bronze Horseman The Bronze Horseman
by Paullina Simons
4.39 of 5 stars4.39 avg rating — 9,821 ratings

My rating:

didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing

add to my books

                  

There’s no doubt FIJI, the movie based on our historical novel, will be extremely cinematic as these wonderful images show…                                                                                               

            

                     

             

The search is on now to find a name director to helm FIJI. James and I will then adapt the screenplay from our novel, Fiji: A Novel, under our director’s guidance so that it’s his/her vision that makes it to the big screen.

Fiji: A Novel

Click on our book’s cover to read the first few chapters.

The Amazon link to this novel is: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/

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The search is on for a name director to helm FIJI, the period film based on our swashbuckling, historical, action-adventure, Fiji: A Novel.

Set in 19th Century Fiji, the novel has been a regular visitor to Amazon’s bestseller lists. It was published by Sterling Gate Books late in 2011.

It’s a story of adventure, cultural misunderstandings, religious conflict and sexual tension set in one of the most exotic and isolated places on earth – and we have no doubt FIJI will make a wonderful movie.

Fiji: A Novel

The storyline: In the mid-1800’s, Fiji was a melting pot of cannibals, warring native tribes, sailors, traders, prostitutes, escaped convicts and all manner of foreign undesirables. It’s in this hostile environment in our story that an innocent young Englishwoman and a worldly American adventurer find themselves. Despite their differences, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them. When their lives are suddenly endangered by marauding cannibals, they are forced to rely on each other for their very survival.

With the strong themes of love running through what is essentially a fast-moving and sometimes violent adventure story, FIJI the movie will appeal equally to males and females.

Here’s what reviewers have said about Fiji: A Novel:

It’s an intense story that will have you turning the pages long into the night. –Susan M. Heim, author and editor of the bestselling “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

A well-written, totally absorbing novel. –J.B. DiNizo (author of Comings and Goings)

A wonderfully entrancing read. –Joan McGrath (historical author)

You’ll enjoy the voyage this book takes you on. –Have You Heard Book Review

A fabulous novel, beautiful for its blunt rawness, exotic scenery, and fascinating storyline. –Historical Novel Review

 

Relevant links for Fiji: A Novel:

Amazon ebook link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/

Sterling Gate Books: http://www.youtube.com/user/SterlingGateBooks

September 16, 2012

New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance and James Morcan, co-authors of the critically acclaimed historical adventure novel, Fiji: A Novel, say their book seems to have struck a chord with Indian residents of Fiji.

“Judging by the review requests and fan mail we receive from Indians based in Fiji, they seem to resonate with our novel,” says Lance. “I can only put this down to the fact that they are avid readers who take an interest in the history of their adopted country.”

Lance, who is a novelist and screenwriter, is based in New Zealand. He writes in collaboration with his Sydney-based son James. They are very aware of Indians close ties to Fiji.

“Indo-Fijians comprise more than one third of Fiji’s population, and most are descended from indentured labourers brought to the islands by Fiji’s British colonial rulers in the late 1800’s to work on sugar cane plantations,” says Lance. “These were complemented by the later arrival of Gujarati and Punjabi immigrants who arrived as free settlers in contrast to their counterparts who were brought under the indentured labour system.”

In the course of several visits to Fiji, Lance says he has observed the Indo-Fijians’ relationship with the indigenous Fijians has been an uneasy one. “It seems the cultural divide between the two racial groups is very wide. Many Indo-Fijians have left Fiji in search of greener pastures.”

Nevertheless, he says, Indo-Fijians seem to relate to Fiji: A Novel, even though it predates the arrival of Indians in Fiji. “I think it paints an authentic picture of the tropical paradise their forefathers came to.”

The novel doesn’t gloss over the cannibalism the Morcans claim was rife in Fiji.

“Fiji wasn’t called ‘the Cannibal Isles’ for nothing. The history books show Fiji was a melting pot of cannibals, warring native tribes, sailors, traders, prostitutes, escaped convicts and all manner of foreign undesirables,” he says. “It’s in this hostile environment our story is set.”

Published by Sterling Gate Books in late 2011, the novel is set in 19th Century Fiji and has been a regular visitor to Amazon’s bestseller lists. The publisher describes it as ‘a spellbinding novel of adventure, cultural misunderstandings, religious conflict and sexual tension set in one of the most exotic and isolated places on earth’.

The story is a fast-paced adventure-romance about an innocent young Englishwoman and a worldly American adventurer who are thrown together in Fiji in the mid-1800’s.

Lance says Fiji was inspired by James A. Michener’s classic novel, Hawaii.

“To our knowledge, there has never been a novel that truly does justice to Fiji,” he says. “I’ve felt a novel that captures Fiji’s culture, exoticness and beauty is long overdue.”

The Morcans, who are also film producers, are developing a feature film adaptation of Fiji through their film production company, Morcan Motion Pictures.

Fiji: A Novel is now available in both kindle ebook and paperback form via Amazon, and the trade paperback version is also available at Junglee.com. The links are: www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/ and www.junglee.com/Fiji-A-Novel-Lance-Morcan/dp/0473194716/

Fiji: A Novel
 

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=210035

Making waves

Tevita Vuibau
Saturday, August 25, 2012

Fiji: A Novel - the book that is making waves online. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

Fiji: A Novel – the book that is making waves online. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

A BOOK on Fiji written by a father and son team is making waves online and cracking Amazon.com’s best selling list over the last couple of weeks.

The book titled Fiji: A Novel was co-authored by Lance Morcan and his son James and was published late last year.

Mr Morcan said he had been inspired by the work of American author James Michener, adding he wanted Fiji to have a story that did justice to its beauty.

Set in the early 1800s, the novel follows protagonists Susannah Drake and Nathan Johnson as the pair travel from Levuka to Momi Bay.

He said the two-year journey to write the novel was a challenging one as he had to co-author long distance with his son.

“He is based in Sydney and I’m based here in New Zealand, so we had to do the whole thing through Skype and emails,” he said.

Mr Morcan said they were both strong-willed which made the writing of the novel an interesting exercise.

He said they were in the process of taking the book to the silver screen.

“James and I are also screenwriters and film producers, and have put Fiji into development as a feature film with our production company, Morcan Motion Pictures,” he added.

Mr Morcan said the book was available at the USP Book Centre, however, they were looking at ways to get more people to access the book.

“We want to put the book in hotels and resorts for them to use as giveaways to their most valued customers and then in this way we can get more locals as well reading the book,” he said.

Critical acclaim for Fiji: A Novel has been pouring in.

Susan M Heim, author and editor of the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series heaped praise on the novel.

“If you’re a fan of adventure, history, even romance, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Fiji: A Novel and brace yourself for the ride,” she said.

“It’s an intense story that will have you turning the pages long into the night.”

Historical author Joan Mcgrath gave the book a four star rating calling it “a wonderfully entrancing read”.

Fiji: A Novel

Fiji: A Novel is available from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Fiji-A-Novel-ebook/dp/B0057YCZM0/