Category Archives: short fiction

Jan 12 2012

So, the new book, eh?

I have two new books underway. One is going to be a shorter book – a mix of poetry and short stories based on my home town of Brighton. I’m really very excited about it. I began by writing short stories many years ago and it was because of those being well received that I continued into poetry and writing my novel. These will include things like the Shoreham Tower being blown up and the day the West Pier burned down… as well as happier times eh, Brightonians? We’re so lucky to live where we do, I really want to get the balance right.

The other book is my second poetry collection, which is all done apart from the illustrations. Which brings me to the main point…

As before, I’ll be illustrating my new books and sheesh, I’m finding it hard to get into the swing again so can I ask you lovely people to nag me simply by coming to my website and taking a look, making sure I’ve posted a new illustration… shall we say one a week?

Maybe I’ll do a competition? Match the illustration to the poem (which will have to be from memory as they disappear from the blog) or short story and you’ll get a free copy of the book? Ahhh, but then I really will be under pressure, eh?

Excellent.

Aug 15 2010

Walking On Chalk

Last night, with the first time that I have had in a long time, I decided to take a look at the Walking On Chalk manuscript. I have been very disgruntled with the publisher (ssshhhh, you know who they are) and was horrified when someone told me they had to wait 10 weeks for a copy! And the returns on it were dire… And they would not let me edit the manuscript, saying it was too expensive.
So, the copyright remains mine. I owe them nothing and I have decided to republish it with Lulu. I’ve edited out some of the ‘chuckles’ (I love the word, sound, implication of chuckle but okay, I concede, there are a few too many) and I have changed the other typos, I think. And there it is. It has a shiny new cover (the cover I originally wanted) and a nicer blurb, look, overall.
AND it’s a whole £1 less than they were producing it for!! To be honest, I was so horrified at the pricing structure that I had put off ordering any for myself and that just can’t be right eh?

I can hear Paul saying ‘tell them the original will be worth a fortune one day!’ haha… so there you go Paul, I’ve told them.

So, now all I have to do is write the sequel. That’s going to be a toughie for obvious reasons. Everyone wants a happy ending, eh? But sometimes life just isn’t like that. Not sure how I’ll end it yet but it will write itself, like the first one did.
I will get around to changing all the links on my pages as to how to purchase it but for now, I am just swimming in the knowledge that it is there, mine, and no-one can be fecked about how long it takes to receive, price or anything else now. I’m thrilled.

If you want to take a look at the preview, it is here under these words and you can just right-click on them to open it in a new window. But here’s the finished product.

Some of you may understand that this is my own tribute to Paul. Without knowing him, talking to him and understanding him, this book would never have been published. Re-publishing is something he was pushing me to do for a long time and it is now done. Late, I grant you. But it is done. And yes, I will write the sequel. There are many other tributes planned and many private tributes in my notebook but I would prefer to keep them private, which I’m sure people will understand. Thank you, Paul.