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On March 23rd, 2025, I hit “publish” on Under Fire, Under Command. Less than a month later, the book has sold over 50 copies and racked up more than 2,700 pages read on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve even been asked to sign a copy as a prize in a pub quiz before a Colchester United match—which was just a little bit embarrassing. It’s been surreal, and if you’ve supported the book in any way, I can’t thank you enough. I thought I’d take a moment to share some reflections on this first month of self-publishing—what I’ve learned, what’s surprised me, and why I’m ultimately glad I did it my way. Why I Chose the Self-Publishing Route Before I launched the book, I received four offers from hybrid publishers. And yes, I was tempted. They offered packages with editing, cover design, and marketing—but the more I researched, the more cautious I became. Some hybrid publishers offer real value. Others… not so much. In the end, I chose to retain full control and publish independently. I knew I might miss out on polish in certain areas, especially editing, but I also knew I’d learn far more by doing it myself. And I have. The Struggles (and the Surprises) Formatting nearly broke me. Fonts, indents, margins, line spacing—each time I fixed one thing, something else slipped out of place. I formatted the entire book myself, and yes, the results are a bit rough around the edges in places. But the amazing thing? Readers haven’t seemed to care. Instead, the feedback has been humbling and uplifting: “I’m impressed.”“Wow! Where was that, Rich?” Those messages mean more to me than any algorithm or sales chart. The Pub Quiz Moment A friend arranged a pub quiz before a Colchester United game and—much to everyone’s surprise—offered my book as the prize. When the winner was handed a copy and I was asked to sign it, I froze for a moment. It was surreal, a little embarrassing, and completely unexpected. But that was the moment it really hit me: people are actually reading my story. What’s Worked So Far Kindle Unlimited has been a game-changer—2,700+ pages read and counting. Facebook and Twitter have helped me get the word out, especially among friends and fellow history lovers. Amazon’s platform, while intimidating at first, has proven powerful once I figured out how to make it work. International Reach Another surprise? The book has found readers across the globe. According to Amazon’s royalties dashboard, 55% of sales have come from the UK, 31% from the US, 12% from Australia, and a small (but mighty!) 2% from other countries. That kind of spread is incredible to see—especially for a book grounded in British military history. I never imagined the story would reach that far, that fast. What I’d Do Differently Without a doubt, I’d invest in professional editing next time. The rest—marketing, formatting, uploading—I was happy to figure out as I went. But editing? That’s where experience and a second (or third) set of eyes really matter. If you’re an author thinking of going the indie route, I’d strongly recommend budgeting for a professional editor or proofreader. That said, the freedom of self-publishing is worth every learning curve. Gratitude and What’s Next I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who has supported the book so far—whether you’ve purchased a copy, borrowed it on KU, shared it with a friend, or simply messaged to say you’re reading it. This has exceeded all my expectations, and your support means the world. I’m already deep into the next book in the series—Under Fire and Fury, which follows 2nd Lieutenant Tom Archer and the British rearguard at Cassel. There’s much more to come. Thank you for being part of this first incredible chapter. 👉 Haven’t read Under Fire, Under Command yet? You can find it here: https://t.co/KkSgcb4qHa If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear what stayed with you—or even better, leave a review. Every comment means more than you know.

Arriving At Under Fire, Under Command When I first started writing Under Fire, Under Command, it wasn’t just about telling a story—it was about capturing a feeling. I’ve always been fascinated by the grit and determination of soldiers fighting against overwhelming odds or executing a tactical masterclass. I wanted to bring that raw, relentless struggle to life. Growing up, I spent countless hours imagining battles—setting up skirmishes with the little plastic soldiers that so many boys had in the ’70s and ’80s. Now, I draw on everything from history books to the stories my grandfather and his generation were willing to share. The idea for Under Fire, Under Command first sparked when I was deep into reading Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series during my long commutes (which I still do today) into the city of London. I had never been one for fiction when it came to campaigns and battles—my preference was always for the details of armies, divisions, and battalions, understanding where they were and hearing the accounts of the men who took part. However, reading the Sharpe series and seeing how Bernard Cornwell masterfully wove fiction around historical detail showed me another way of telling a story—one that was both informative and compelling. The dream was set, and along the way, every time I read something or saw it on TV—and more recently on the internet—I’d pick up a snippet here and there, taking note and hoping that one day I’d get to include it in that elusive novel. When dreaming of writing Under Fire, Under Command, I wanted it to be told from the small-unit perspective—getting into the minds and bodies, as it were, of young and slightly older men thrust into the evils of war. Over the years, as life moved on—children, work, and all the usual stuff that shapes our daily lives—it felt like the dream was slipping further and further away. That feeling only grew when I started reading brilliant works like Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers and watching the epic TV series it became. Seeing writers like the amazing James Holland and Damien Lewis appear on the scene made the thought of writing such a book feel even more daunting. Amid all the books focusing on grand strategies and sweeping battles, I found myself drawn to the small-unit perspective—the platoon caught in the thick of it, where survival often comes down to the bond between soldiers. That’s where I wanted my story to be—in the mud and the chaos, among men just trying to hold on. When creating Tom Archer, I didn’t want a superhero or a flawless leader. I wanted someone real—a young, relatively inexperienced man thrown into the brutal reality of war, much like countless others were for real. His journey isn’t about heroism but about survival, growth, and the burden of leadership. I wanted his story to feel authentic and grounded, showing how he transforms from a soldier just trying to stay alive to a leader making life-and-death decisions for his men. I’m really looking forward to developing Tom’s character even further in the years to come, exploring how his experiences continue to shape him and the men he leads. Characters like Jacks and Mallory will also have their own moments to shine, as their loyalty and resilience add depth to the story. Together, they form a brotherhood forged in the fire of war, and I’m eager to share more of their journey with you. I’ve spent many years immersed in memoirs, military diaries, and personal accounts, and I hope a little of that dedication has filtered through to keep the story grounded in historical accuracy. I didn’t just want to write about war—I wanted readers to feel like they were there, crouched in a shell hole, the acrid smoke biting at their lungs, their fingers numb from holding a rifle too long. Writing the first draft was a struggle. Some days, the words flowed effortlessly. Other days, it felt like slogging through the mud, just like Archer and his men. What kept me going was simple: I wanted to tell a story that others might enjoy. I’ve spent years reading memoirs, military diaries, and personal accounts, and I wanted to use that knowledge in a new way. After countless revisions, feedback from friends, and more late nights than I can count, Under Fire, Under Command finally came together. The response so far has been humbling and heartening, and I can only hope that readers find a bit of themselves in these characters—whether it’s Archer’s determination, Pembroke’s calm under fire, or Jacks’ fierce loyalty. Publishing it was both thrilling and terrifying. It’s my debut novel—a dream I’ve chased since boyhood. Seeing it out there in the world is surreal, but the real reward has been connecting with readers who share my passion for history and storytelling. If you’ve read the book or plan to, I’d love to hear from you! Your thoughts, feedback, and even your critiques mean the world to me. Feel free to reach out or leave a review—it helps more than you might think. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Here’s to many more stories to come