New Book by Roger Hargreave - Angel Eyes

[Christopher Jacoby]

@Roger Hargrave I for one am looking very much forward to them. Not since Bartruff published Sex and Violins under a Nom de Merde have we had any racy fiddle novels…

[Melvin Goldsmith]

Dear Roger please write and be damned

[Renegade]

There is one more possibility. Publish books like Rick Beato did.

https://rickbeato.com

[Michael Appleman]

I would buy them instantly. You know how to write and you know what you're writing about. For once I'd like to read novels about violins and the violin trade that aren't horrible mash ups with no grounding in reality (I can think of a few that are just infuriatingly dumb). I can't help with the english speaking market, but I could get you in touch with an important literary agent here in France.

[Roger Hargrave]

On 9/28/2023 at 11:43 PM, jacobsaunders said:

If the “Strad” magazine sends me a free copy, would you like me to do a review?

You always were a cheapscate Jacob, Part of the reason for this question is to see if it is going to be financially viable. Doing the exteemly expensive Del Gesu book only lost me BIG money. Whoever made money on that work it was not Carlo Chiesa or me. If all five of my novels are to be published then I need to at least break-even on this first one. This will certainly be my swan song. There is not much left in this old frame. My workshop is already gone and even typing is becoming difficult. So get out your fat wallet and by a copy if and when it comes.

[Roger Hargrave]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:47 AM, duane88 said:

F-Holes, G Strings, Butt Bushings, Butt Leathers(...), backs and bellies. The violin is ripe for eroticism.

 

At least with self publishing, or so I am told by friends who have done such things, at least you won't die with a garage full of books since one may order a small run at a time.

Following my trade ethic: I'll buy anything that Roger Hargrave publishes. I bet that you have worked varnish secrets into some of the more distracting scenes...

That's true but not in book one.

 

Edited September 30 by Roger Hargrave
I did not submit this. Itw as Duane88.

[Roger Hargrave]

On 9/28/2023 at 11:43 PM, jacobsaunders said:

If the “Strad” magazine sends me a free copy, would you like me to do a review?

You always were a cheapscate Jacob, but part of my reason for writing this, is because on the extrmely expensive Del Gesu book, I lost a lot of money. Whoever made money on that masive project it was not me or Carlo Chiesa. And now that my workshop is closed and I am having difficulty even typing. I don't want to overstretch myself and my family again.

[Roger Hargrave]

On 9/29/2023 at 7:01 AM, spruce or pine said:

Dear Mr. Hargrave,

I would absolutely love to read your novels, so count me in for at least one copy of each.

But a word of advice from someone who has been there: do it for love, not money.

My name is Craig Danner, and I wrote literary fiction full time for 20 years. I published my first novel, Himalayan Dhaba, in 2000. After working on it for close to 10 years, my agent held an auction which failed to find a buyer. Undaunted, I created Crispin/Hammer Publishing and printed 5,000 copies in hardback. It became a surprise bestseller with independent booksellers, was a Booksense 76 pick, and won the Pacific Northwest Book Award for 2001. Big New York publishers started calling, and a new agent held a new auction and reprint rights sold for a solid six figure advance. It was like winning the lottery! But Penguin had other books to promote, and mine didn't sell out its advance. It took me seven years to write the next novel, and in that time my editor retired, and no one else at the publisher remembered me. I published The Fires of Edgarville myself, and sold a couple thousand copies. I kept writing, because I absolutely love writing and the writing process. My third novel took three years (getting faster!) and I didn't even try to find another publisher, just did it myself again.

I spent 20 years writing and publishing full time, and by most writers' standards I did very well. I loved spending my days writing, and I am incredibly proud of my three novels. But even with a huge advance on my first book, divide six figures by 20 years and it doesn't come out to much of an income. Good thing I had a working spouse and a second career.

I'm an introvert, which is a good thing both for writing and for building violins (which is what I'm now doing full time). Writing and building are a lot of fun, and very satisfying. Selling, though... not so much! Self-promotion: my worst nightmare! And you need to do both to make it profitable.

Please, Mr. Hargrave, publish your novels! Do it because you obviously love to write, and do it because I would love to read them. But don't do it for money. PM me if you would like to discuss this further.

All the best!

Craig Danner

Crispin/Hammer Violins

Hi Craig, Thanks for the imput, but this is not about making money, its about not loosing thousands like myself and Carlo Chiesa did on the Del Gesu books. And you are right. I love doing it.

[Peter K-G]

It almost looks like the title of this thread was misspelled on purpose

Try google 

roger hargreaves books

You can correct by editing the first post

 

[Blank face]

1 hour ago, Roger Hargrave said:

on the extrmely expensive Del Gesu book, I lost a lot of money.

On a very serious note, why don't you produce it as an E-book and sell it on Amazon or Ibooks, or even as paid download at your website? The costs would be next to nihil, and a tool like Bookcreator allows even to integrate illustrations, sound files or videos.

[Renegade]

 

28 minutes ago, Blank face said:

On a very serious note, why don't you produce it as an E-book and sell it on Amazon or Ibooks, or even as paid download at your website? The costs would be next to nihil, and a tool like Bookcreator allows even to integrate illustrations, sound files or videos.

I'm guessing many of you are ignoring me, but that's exactly what I wrote a few comments above.

[Mark Norfleet]

33 minutes ago, Renegade said:

 

I'm guessing many of you are ignoring me, but that's exactly what I wrote a few comments above.

People just blurt out their thoughts and tend not to read threads.  It’s probably not personal.  It’s a pretty common occurrence.

[MikeC]

Roger, I would be a buyer,  depending on price.  And I think the e-book idea is a good one, it would be low cost for you.  

Also I have a violin finish question for you if you're willing to answer but I don't want to distract from the topic of this thread. 

[Blank face]

1 hour ago, Mark Norfleet said:

People just blurt out their thoughts and tend not to read threads.  It’s probably not personal.  It’s a pretty common occurrence.

Sorry, I didn’t realize that there’s a copyright claim thing. Several posters mentioned similar ideas, and maybe Roger had this thought before anyway. So I liked to ask him personally.

A physical print is probably preferable, but this could be the second step if it turns out to be enough demand to risk the investment.

[Davide Sora]

@Roger Hargrave

I happened to read some fictional stories about luthiers, instruments, etc. and I have to say that they never wowed me, but none of them had been written by a luthier. So go ahead and publish them, I definitely won't miss them. The added value of awareness deriving from those who are certainly prepared and personally involved in the topics covered is priceless.

[David Rosales]

4 hours ago, Peter K-G said:

It almost looks like the title of this thread was misspelled on purpose

Try google 

roger hargreaves books

You can correct by editing the first post

 

Ha! Who can forget Roger's classic tales like, "Mr. Happy" or "Little Miss Bossy"?

[Torbjörn Zethelius]

Hello Roger, I'm looking forward to read your novels. Interesting topic. I think it will be a success. Your work have always been high quality and certainly worth a study.

[Dr. Mark]

On 9/28/2023 at 3:44 PM, Roger Hargrave said:

What I need to know from my friends around the world is should I publish these works and risk losing even more money, not to mention and damaging any reputation that I may still have, or should I just stop now?

In retrospect this request is amusing.  If you were some unknown in the violin world asking about buying or selling a violin you'd probably be told to go to Martin Swan, or another well-known and knowledgeable dealer.  Further, you'd be better coming here to Maestronet where you're more likely to get that advice, than to Authornet or something like that where they know nothing about violins or the trade. 

Rare exceptions aside, do you think denizens of Maestronet know squat about publishing?  Don't you think you should talk to an agent or publisher about risk and other concerns you may have?  Or raise the question in a venue where the responders would have the pertinent knowledge to give you a meaningful and comprehensive answer?

I don't mean to sound overly cranky - I recall a vivid dream I had a couple of years ago:  A nurse knocked at my door, and when I answered it she asked if the Curmudgeon was at home.  I said 'No'.  She looked me up and down and replied 'You'll do'.

[Eryri]

I'll buy all...promise.

[Bill Yacey]

I would certainly be interested. Is there any estimated price per copy? If it's several hundred dollars per book, it may be financially out of reach for many potential customers.

[Bill Yacey]

Perhaps you could take a deposit for book sales, and figure out what a first printing price would be.

 

[Urban Luthier]

I've read all five of Roger's novels. (Including the naughty bits).

Simply put, the entire set is a fantastic read. No spoilers from me. I will say Roger is a fine story teller - I read a couple in a single sitting. I think Angel Eyes part B is my favourite (Charles Ruffello is my favourite character in the set!)

Highly recommended. And yes I will purchase them! ePub may the most flexible way to go.

[Jay Higgs]

4 hours ago, Dr. Mark said:

Don't you think you should talk to an agent or publisher about risk and other concerns you may have? 

Mr. Hargrave:  I have to agree with Dr Mark.  Your Maestronet audience is composed of many admirers like me.  In fact, you are so high up from where I sit that I can't even address you by your first name.  If ALL of your Maestronet readers did buy your book(s), would you still be in the hole using the expensive publishing option?  If I was taking a financial gamble, I would go for professional advice, but I have no idea who to ask.  Some of the prior posts have suggestions in this regard.  

I am sorry to hear it is becoming a challenge for you to type. You have written so much of value already, but I will bet you have more valuable thoughts to share.   I love Norman Pickering's perspective of "The Violin World," (including the cute erratum insert that doubles as a page marker).  In my humble opinion, you would be a great person to write an expanded version of this.  I have no idea whether it would be financially feasible, but I would love to read that.  

Good luck with your decision, and thank you for what you have contributed already.  

 

[Roger Hargrave]

21 hours ago, MikeC said:

Roger, I would be a buyer,  depending on price.  And I think the e-book idea is a good one, it would be low cost for you.  

Also I have a violin finish question for you if you're willing to answer but I don't want to distract from the topic of this thread. 

Go ahead ut it might take a while to answer, even if Ican,

[Roger Hargrave]

20 hours ago, Blank face said:

Sorry, I didn’t realize that there’s a copyright claim thing. Several posters mentioned similar ideas, and maybe Roger had this thought before anyway. So I liked to ask him personally.

A physical print is probably preferable, but this could be the second step if it turns out to be enough demand to risk the investment.

I am going to try both and eventually an audio. Anyone up for reading it out loud.