Cheshire author launches into Sci-Fi, changing the blueprint for self-publishing
First-time-author, Michael D. Frost, has pooled online creatives from around the world to deliver a self-published science-fiction novel that competes with the pros – for a fraction of the cost.
Over the last 12 months, the musician-turned-author has been working on his first science fiction novel “Takhari: Escape from Spaceport Alpha” which released on Amazon Kindle last month, shortly followed by Audible, and now with printed copies available on a dedicated online store.
His self-publishing journey – originally posed as a video game concept – involved working alongside collaborators from all corners of the globe and making use of affordable creative freelancers available on Fiverr.
“Using Fiverr I connected with a freelancer in the US who edited the book. I then found a proof-reader in southern England. The front cover was illustrated in Sri Lanka and the Ebook formatting was done in Pakistan.
“I turned the finished manuscript into an audiobook – meaning I got to scratch the itch of writing some music for the theme tune. I wrote the piece myself on piano and recorded it at home, but the string sections were recorded by a violinist in Berlin (discovered through SoundBetter). The track was mastered online at Abbey Road for around £100. Meaning the engineer who worked on my project had also previously worked on The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Coldplay, Radiohead and the Rolling Stones.
“The narrator on the audiobook was based in New York and has done an incredible job in bringing the characters to life. I’m now working with marketers and book reviewers from around the world (also on Fiverr) to push the launch of my physical sales. It’s very exciting!”
With his 8-year old son acting as marketing consultant on the characters (robots, furry creatures, cool spaceships and evil aliens!) the first volume of the teen/YA scifi series is now available on Amazon in a variety of formats and has already received 5-star reviews on GoodReads and has ranked in the top 100 children’s sci-fi eBooks.
"Characters so delightfully funny and well-written it feels like you are in the room with them!" ★★★★★
"From the explosive start to the thrilling climax, you are taken on roller coaster ride of adventure." ★★★★★