Forest Brothers is the name of my new novel, due out hopefully Q4 or early next year.
I may subtitle it Metsavennad, as that is the Estonian word for the bands of fugitives that lived hand to mouth in wartime Estonia.
The story is set in 1944, as Germany retreats and the Soviet Union is poised to retake the small nation. This is the current blurb although it may change to reflect the change in title:
December 1919 – The Royal Navy send a squadron of ships to the fledgling Estonian nation to aid their fight for independence. Huw Lloyd, a young navy officer jumps ship, sacrificing his career for the love of a woman. In time he is recaptured and made to suffer for his actions, as the Navy reclaims its own.
September 1944 – Huw is selected for covert operations in an Estonia ravaged by two armies and living in misery fuelled by pain and fear. Though helped by friends, his mission is compromised. In his flight, he is forced to make a choice as he is faced once more with the ghosts of his past and the realisation that nothing remains the same.
As I say, it may change to reflect the title, but it gives you an idea of where we’re going!.
I will be posting progress reports as I go. At present, I am editing it with a lovely small press publisher. We have started once more at the beginning and I reacquaint myself with my characters in a great edit with spit, polish and a dab of Brasso where needed.I have been searching for a good cover pic and have found one to form the basis of a painting.
So now all of a sudden, I’m thrust into some delightful dilemmas that I have never even thought of before.
How and where to market?
Where to personally push?
What online and what not?
Market paper and e-versions separately?
Who to send promotional copies to?
Who to send freebies to in thanks?
Distribution of books
Even what name do I put on the title?I can think of worse decisions to make!