16 October 2024
On Wednesdays on social media, people use the hashtag #WriterWednesday to chat about all things author, book and writing, including authors promoting their own work. As we love to support self-published authors, we thought we’d join in and we will be featuring a UK self-published writer every Wednesday on the website.
This week, we met Aberdeen writer Simon Pittman to find out more.
Please tell us about yourself; when did you first become interested in writing?
I’ve been interested in writing since a young age – both fiction and non-fiction. In 2013 I discovered CreateSpace (a self publishing company and a predecessor to Amazon’s KDP) so I released my first book.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Unfortunately I don’t! Earliest one I remember had one of my teddy bears visiting a local park and doing an news report, newspaper style! I’d have been 9 or 10 at the time!
What genre/genres do your books fall under?
Non-fiction. My earlier books covered technical topics for beginners (e.g. editing audio, managing websites and coding) and my more recent books are business related (e.g. creating books, and even books on writing and reading books!).
What is your latest book called, what is it about and what was the inspiration behind the book?
Books & Action – I released this last year (2023) and it’s written with my book club hat – it’s a book on reading books. The idea may seem strange, however it’s full of hints and tips to help readers get more from business and personal development books. They started off as blog posts which I collected, expanded, and put together into a book.
Besides your current book, do you have any new projects coming up?
I’m having a break this year (although that’s what I said last year, and ended up releasing my latest book!) although I do have a few ideas – including a 52 ideas for your business book, and a book on managing Facebook groups.
Where can people find your books?
They can find them on Amazon, or there’s links, info and sample sections in the “Books” section of my website at www.libraryplayer.co.uk.
What has been the greatest moment in your writing career?
Getting the first book released back in 2013! I initially thought I’d just get one or two sales, and that would be it. However it proved to be more popular, and I ended up writing and self publishing more books.
Besides writing, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your spare time?
I often enjoy walking along the beach here in Aberdeen, or the Old Deeside Railway Line. Also interested in home baking, although not something I’ve done for a while.
Which novelists do you admire?
This is a difficult one! I prefer the authors and writers who are less well-known – people with real-world experience (rather then celebrity or well-known authors who release the same stuff again and again, and never feel they try the ideas themselves).
What has been the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Don’t assume anything. Look at every Superman story – even though most people know about the character – he’s always established in each story, whether on film, comic book, or TV – don’t assume everyone knows Superman is really Clark Kent! This applies to non-fiction too – even books covering more advanced topics.
Do you have any tips or advice for other indie authors?
Ignore all the “get rich quick” videos that have popped up on YouTube in recent years. Write because you have something to say or share – not to make money or as a glorified business card – that’s how it will come across to readers, even if you don’t realise it. Also the self publishing companies themselves – Lulu, Ingram Spark and Draft2Digital – have great resources, videos, etc. for writing and self publishing – it’s worth checking them out, even if you don’t use them to publish your book (a lot of the info will still be relevant)!
You can find out more about Simon and his work on his website or via his Amazon author page, Bluesky, Facebook or X (Twitter).
HOME 