Lewis Hastings was our second signing for Hobeck Books back in 2020, and together we're about to publish his fifth Jack Cade thriller - The Chemist. The novel features the return of an old foe for Cade and those he cares for most, as they face their greatest danger yet. So how does Lewis create such wonderfully twisted and memorable villains? And how much of his career in law-enforcement play a part in his writing? 

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca discuss the ethics of author services offering a quicker route to agents and publishers, and how a couple of days away in the Cotswolds have given them renewed energy for running the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've mentioned it many times on the show, but audiobooks are becoming an ever more important arm of publishing. Double-digit growth year-on-year, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. But how does a narrator connect with their audience most effectively? This week's guest on The Hobcast Book Show is Dian Perry. An American in London, Dian dreamed of becoming a character voice artist. Now with over twenty years of experience and success, she's the author of Voiceover Narration: Creating Performances from the Inside Out. As Dian explains in this fascinating interview, creating a real connection with listeners requires a different approach. It's not just about reading the words in the right order, or having a pleasant voice - it takes so much more than that. 

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca reflect on yet more evidence that the lack of raw materials is changing the publishing industry, and Adrian shares his excitement about an upcoming auction of personal items owned by a certain British actor.

Visit Dian's website: https://www.dianperry.com

Follow the Hobcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hobcast2

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past 12 months of The Hobcast Book Show, we've spoken to a number of debut authors, but we've never spoken to them on publication day itself, until now. Andy Hill, writing as A J Hill, celebrated the release of Dead Drift by speaking to us. We first met Andy at the Harrogate Crime Festival last summer, and he'd just been signed by Spellbound Books for an initial three book deal for his novels featuring Jack Lunn, a former Detective Inspector. As Andy tells us, there's more than a bit of himself in his lead character.

Also this week, we chew over the news that UK Ebook sales have dropped for most of the big publishers, and that one of favourite bookshops, Blackwells, is up for sale. And there's also a little music this week, partially provided by a very famous member of Rebecca's family...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had a shock this week at Hobeck Books. The rumours of rising production costs are very true as we were quoted a 20% higher price for the same print run we last ordered less than three months ago. So can you make indie publishing work? Yes, but as Dan Morgan, (writing as Morgan Greene), says in the second part of his revealing interview with us, it's tough and takes a lot of nerve.

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca reveal their plans for the business in the months to come, and talk frankly about how health issues can affect day-to-day work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're proud to be indie publishers at www.hobeck.net It's an exciting movement to be part of, but as we explore every week here on The Hobcast Book Show the reality of running a start-up publishing house is far tougher than some would have you believe. That's also been the experience of our guest, Dan Morgan, a Welsh author of Scandi-noir novels under the pen name Morgan Greene. Dan has built a strong following for his novels featuring DI Jamie Johannson, but as he tells Adrian and Rebecca, the path to success has been challenging. In the first of a two-part interview, Dan explains the path to becoming a bestselling author requires courage, talent, and perseverance.

Also this week, we discuss the shocking revelation of how the big publishers can buy their positions in the retail charts, and the welcome news that proposed changes to UK copyright laws have been postponed.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've trained for years to achieve your ambition to become a doctor, but what happens when a mental health crisis forces you to leave the profession? That's exactly what happened to our guest Mairi Chong, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in the weeks after giving birth to her son. The effects were so severe she had to leave the job she loved as a GP, and rebuild her life again, coming to terms with the impact of the condition. That's when she turned to writing, and this week Mairi is celebrating the release of her first novel for Bloodhound Books - Death by Appointment featuring sleuthing medic Cathy Moreland. It's a fascinating and uplifting interview that doesn't flinch from discussing the impact of mental health issues. 

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca ask if audiobooks can really help students to break their screen addictions, and we celebrate one of the most beloved books of the past forty years, the immortal Dear Zoo.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been lucky enough to speak to some spectacularly successful indie authors in the past year, like Simon McCleave and Jason Dalgleish, we can now add Daniel Hurst to that list. In just two years since he specialised in writing psychological thrillers and suspense novels, he's sold enough books to both give up his day job and employ his wife full-time to support him. As Daniel explains to Adrian and Rebecca, some of the keys to his success is hard work, writing and releasing books quickly, and writing to market. His new novel The Rivals is released on 15th January.

Also this week, we look at the predicted publishing trends for 2022, and we congratulate Ian Rankin on signing another seven-figure contract for his next two Rebus books.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Episode 50! Adrian and Rebecca have taken The Hobeck Book Show on the road again to see in the new year with a visit to Oxford. The city of dreaming spires was the perfect place to look back on a momentous 2021, and set new goals and dreams for 2022. In this episode we hear again from some of the wonderful guests we've hosted in the past year, and we look ahead to what's in store for Hobeck Books in the year to come. Plus, there's some rather special personal news too...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we compare notes with husband-and-wife book selling team, Dan and Leanne Fridd about the pleasures and pressures of working together in the world of books. They run the superb independent bookshop, Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich, UK, and as they tell The Hobcast Bookshow, they're determined to create a unique experience where customers of all ages can relax and discover the joy of reading and books. For ex-teacher Leanne, she wonders why she waited so long to pursue the dream, and they reveal the heart-warming impact their bookshop has had on the lives of countless children and young people of the area.

Also this week - Adrian and Rebecca reflect on The Bookseller's list of the 150 most influential people in UK publishing and ask, which publishing executive has the smuggest portrait photo expression?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a confession to make at The Hobcast Book Show. Our plans unravelled following a medical drama, so we had to launch an appeal for a guest this week at the last minute. Kindly, the brilliant Sarah Manvel stepped in, creating a literary podcast blind date for this week's show. Sarah is a writer and critic, and author of the hilarious semi-fictional account of dates that have gone horribly wrong. As you'll hear, You Ruin It When You Talk is Sarah's first book, but she's determined that it won't be her last. It's a fascinating conversation.

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca discuss further shake-ups in the indie publishing world, and how supply chain issues are forcing publishers to order print runs 9 months ahead of release dates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.