Time to Start a New Chapter – Welcome to barrynugent.com

Pull up a chair and get comfy. Help yourself to Jaffa Cakes and a cuppa.

I’ve had various websites over the years but never had one that was really focused on myself and my various projects. The reason being that I always preferred standing behind my work instead of beside or in in front of it. Also being a card carrying member of the, not so secret, fraternity of imposter syndrome sufferers (What creative person isn’t?) has not helped and this website is one of the ways I’m challenging that syndrome. I believe, deep down beyond the fear and self-doubt, every creative person wants to bellow from the highest peak – THIS IS ME AND THIS IS WHAT I CAN DO!

My plan for this newsletter is to update it on an ad-hoc basis with my current and future work. I will also be reposting some of the blogs from the unseenshadows.com site so that folks new to me can get some insights into the larger transmedia universe which has sprung up around the novels. I’m posting this here on the site and sending out to subscribers. However going forward I’ll be using this blog more for quick updates on stuff I’m up and other bits and bobs.

As you head around the site you’ll see that I have a shop with novels and spin off comics. Currently they all point to the various places you can pick them up online. This is just stage one. I am working to change this to a payhip shop so that you fine folks will be able to buy stuff directly from me, including signed physical copies. I’m still setting up my payhip account/site which will allow me to do this. Hopefully this will be up and running next month.

Writing Updates

Pretty much all my writing time has been taken up with putting together this website so I’ve not done any work on my projects in the past month. My latest novel, Trail of the Cursed Cobras, which will be my first ever middle grade fiction novel, is currently with an editor (shout out to Dion over at The Fine-toothedcomb). I’m hoping Dion will be able to get the manuscript back to me before the end of August so I can crack on with working to get it ready to launch in late October. I can’t wait to introduce you properly to Bobby, Ada ,DJ, Nikki and Tony.

I’ve planned out Silent Immortals the third novel in my Unseen Shadows trilog and have made a start on the first draft. It’s had to take a back seat to the new website but now this has launched I’ll be getting back to it. Anyone who tells planning a trilogy is easy…walk away from them and don’t look back!

Welcome Indie Author We’ve Been Expecting you

Over the past few months I’ve been playing catch up on all the many advances within the sphere of indie publishing. Even though I’ve been indie publishing since 2009 and proud of it I feel like a complete newbie at the moment. It’s both scary and thrilling. I mean did you know there is a difference now between indie and self publishing because I sure as sherlock did not! This world has gotten so much bigger and brighter over the last ten years and that’s fantastic. As a result of my deep dive into the depths indie publishing I am now a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, which has lots of info, resources and guidance (also a really positive FB group, which is a nice change) for the budding indie author.

Reading/Watching/Listening/Playing aka Welcome to my Happy Place

I thought it would be nice to share the genre stuff I’m immersing in each month. It’s where I go to immerse myself in the stuff I love which in turn stimulates and inspire me. My best writing sessions have always come after watching a great film or Tv episodes, reading a fantastic book or comic or losing myself in an audio drama or computer game.

Six of Crows – I picked up this fantasy novel after watching and enjoying the adaptation of Shadow and Bone on Netflix, which is set in the same world. I’m a sucker for a ‘Heist Story’ which was what Six of Crows was recommended to me as being. So far it has not let me know down on that score.

James Bond Origin – from Dynamite Comics which is a coming of age adventure for the world’s most famous spy. Great art and the story is shaping up well but that’s no surprise as Dynamite Comics really know how to do Bond. I’ve been reading them for a few years and some I prefer to the current crop of films -sorry Daniel (loved the Casino Royale and Skyfall though mate!)

Final Boss – This film dropped on amazon only a few days ago and it’s basically groundhog day getting a gory, action thriller makeover. It’s dumb fun with a plot so flimsy that you can see right through it but it didn’t matter…so much fun. Watch the trailer and you’ll see that I mean.

Winter Warriors by David ‘The Legend’ Gemmell – Every year I do a reread of the late David Gemmell’s books, as I adore his prose and the way he writes heroes. This year however I decided to give the audio books version a try and boy I’m glad I did. The narrator of these books, Sean Barrett is indeed ‘a man to walk the mountains with’. His voice work is fantastic and well worth checking out.

Podcasting News

The latest episodes of Geek Syndicate and Stace and Barry in the Morning, the podcasts I co-host, are out now. If you’re dyed in the wool geek then go and have a listen. Full disclosure though both podcasts do contain swearing (Shame on my co-hosts ).

I am also flirting with the idea of trying to start up a solo podcast again…I’ve tried a few times to get one going but never seem to make it past a few episodes. I have the utmost respect for those solo podcasters out there as it’s a tough gig. I do have a few ideas of what I want to do but we’ll see if I’m able to get something off the ground.

I also was a guest a few weeks ago on a podcast which is focused on creatives people, like myself. I had a great time on it and hopefully that podcast should be out anyway now. I will drop the link on my social media once it’s out.

So to round up my first blog post (we all survived!) I sat down with my good friend and fantasy author Stephen Aryan as part of his series of author interviews. I thought as Steven took me right back to the beginning of my writing journey through to my latest endeavours it would be a great place for people who have no idea who I am and what I’m about.

So I’ll hand over to Stephen and see you all soon!