Paperback Books Not On Amazon

I have removed all the paperback versions of The Queen’s Blade from Amazon, because it marked them up to exorbitant prices, and I don’t want readers being ripped off like that. Amazon also keeps the extra bucks, thereby making a killing out of every book it sells, even more than I make, because the prices I chose are barely more than cost. I have no wish to make people pay through the nose, but Amazon was doing it without my consent.

Therefore, the paperbacks are now only available at CreateSpace.com, at the prices I chose. It means I sell a lot less – hardly any – but I’d rather that than have people pay Amazon’s rip off prices. So far, I’ve only converted The Queen’s Blade into paperback format – it’s a lot of work – and Demon Lord, Book One, due to a special request for two autographed copies. Once I’ve finished the final edit of all the series, I’ll re-do The Queen’s Blade and then convert the rest of the series, even though I haven’t sold many copies. It’s mostly for me, so I can have hard copies for my bookshelf.

I’m sure most people will still prefer e-books, which are so much more convenient, and cheaper. Paperbacks have costs involved – paper, printing, ink, shipping, etc. – so they’re a lot more expensive to produce. The conversion is time-consuming, as is making the covers for them, and I’d rather spend my time writing new books. I will get around to making all the series in paperbacks, however, just as soon as I can.

Some Questions Answered

I received some interesting questions via email this week, one of which was about the time period that The Queen’s Blade is set in, and what countries the kingdoms there resemble. The time period doesn't really conform to any Earth norms, but it's similar to a feudal era, with a slightly more modern language amongst the commoners. Jashimari is similar to feudal France or Britain, with a bit of an exotic Eastern influence. Cotti resembles Arabia at that time period, I would say, except for the people, who are more like tanned Teutons, and Contara is a mixture of the two. I hadn't really considered what Earth-type cultural or historical similarities they might have, but those are the best parallels I can draw.

Another reader asked about my inspiration… That's a tough question! There isn't any one thing that inspires me. Mostly, I think it's my characters, whom I love to write about and share in their adventures, and sometimes it's what's happening in the world around me. Often, it's a way to escape my own dull life and explore strange worlds, too. I've always been a dreamer, and channelling adventures in other worlds is even better than going on holiday.

I also had a question about producing a signed edition of The Queen’s Blade. I would love to offer a signed edition, only the postage, if they're sent to me and then I post them to the readers, is exorbitant from South Africa, where the post office charges according to weight. I could print the books with a signature in them, but it wouldn't be a genuine signed copy, as the signature would be printed. I'm not sure if that would be as good.

T C Southwell Books Now Available in Paperback

Due to popular demand, I'm making all my series available in Print on Demand (PoD) paperbacks, and I've started with my most popular series, The Queen's Blade. The first books of this series are now available to order on CreateSpace. The books will take anything from few days to several weeks to be delivered to you, depending on where in the world you live.

The paperback versions are of course more expensive than e-books, because of the production costs to involved in a printed book, but I've kept the costs to a miminum. The paperback books will suit readers who want a real book and don't enjoy reading on a PC or any of the e-book reading devices. I will eventually make all the series available in paperback.

You can purchase the books on CreateSpace here:

Book I: The Queen's Blade
Book II: Sacrifice
Book III: The Invisible Assassin
Book IV: Sacred Knight of the Veil
Book V: Master of the Dance
Book VI: Lord Protector
Prequel I: Conash: Dead Son
Prequel II: God Touched

Or on Amazon:

Book I: The Queen's Blade
Book II: Sacrifice
Book III: The Invisible Assassin
Book IV: Master of the Dance
Book V: Sacred Knight of the Veil
Book VI: Lord Protector
The Prequel I: Conash: Dead Son
The Prequel II: God Touched.