The rise of Fallen Heroes

Barry Nugent, who started writing at the age of eleven, has recently been making progress with his POD novel Fallen Heroes (WN, Sep 07).

The story is a genre-spanning thriller with a supernatural twist that sees disparate characters woven into a plot that was conceived centuries before their birth. Pursued across the world they must learn to trust each other if they are to uncover the truth in time.

Due to the unusual and ambitious nature of the project Barry had trouble finding a publisher and so decided to self-publish through Lulu. He was surprised then when he managed to convince the manager of his local Waterstone’s to read a copy, and even more so when she agreed to order some for the store. ‘I was surprised that they would buy in a print on demand title as there does seem to be a bit of a stigma attached to them, which is why I tried to make the book as professional looking as possible, especially the cover.’

Several copies were then ordered in and signed by Barry before going on the shelves. Since then he’s received a call informing him that they were nearly out of copies and that more were being ordered in.

‘I am hoping to build on this achievement by pushing forward on the marketing of the book and the fact it is being stocked in a branch of Waterstone’s. I also intend to contact other branches of Waterstone’s to see if they’re willing to stock the book as well. Things are starting to move forward for me.’

As well as busily marketing Barry has begun work on the sequel Perdition’s Shroud and has completed a ‘special edition’ of Fallen Heroes that includes artwork and cut passages which he will sell at conventions and other special events.