The Bookseller.com

8th September 2008

Travel writers seek 'dragons'

04.08.08 Victoria Arnstein

Self-published twin travel writers, Simon and Chris Raven, have a launched a Facebook group in a bid to discover the investment potential of their Linger travel guide series.

The brothers are searching for their own "Dragons’ Den"-styled panel by asking the public to join the group "I seek dragons" and help them evaluate their business.

"We started self-publishing under the imprint Samosir Books in 2003, following a trip to Asia," said Chris Raven. "At the time, the deals being offered by big-named publishers just didn't seem to favour the author and, combined with a fear of rejection, we decided to find a printing company overseas and publish the Linger Series ourselves.”

The pair have already had some success, with their titles being stocked in some branches of Waterstone’s and on the retailer’s website, as well as Amazon.com.

"We hope the feedback we gain from the 'I seek dragons' group will help guide us with our book business and promote small independent businesses," Simon Raven added.

The three titles currently on offer are: Living the Linger (a title about a USA road trip); The Linger Longer: Driving the Trans-Siberian; The Linger Loco: In search of real carnival.

Media Facebook travel Victoria Arnstein

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