What do you do with time off work?

Afternoon folks,

I'm having a few days off work. Why? No reason other than I now have 10 years service in the NHS. Never imagined that would happen. As a reward they give you 4 extra days holiday so I thought why not?

So what have I done? Well I've written 2000 words of my new novel today so that's good. Other than that, stayed in bed until lunchtime, had a fried egg sandwich (epic), listened to The Stone Roses album three times and played with the dog. All better than working.

I've been avoiding the promo lately as you'll have noticed. It's just so bloody time consuming. My books are still selling, lower numbers but still selling. I'll get back on the horse over the weekend, maybe. But it's lovely to be writing again, all pretty effortless so far too.

Did everyone have a good Bank Holiday? Non UK readers don't need to answer. I did. A mate came to stay so we headed into town for the first time in forever. Much drink was taken, burritos eaten, buskers talked to, their dogs stroked, pizzas and kebabs purchased. The wife was on entertaining form and my mate and I stayed up until 4AM listening to vinyl and pondering life.

Then, the next night, we did it again. Good times. Unfortunately I have spent all but £90 of this month's wages and it's three weeks until pay day. Ho hum. As an example of how I live, the wife and I went into town for lunch. It started to rain and I was only wearing a polo shirt. So instead of turning back I simply bought a jacket. This is why I don't haver any money. Those who know me will not be surprised.

I'm not going to mention Liverpool, or what happened at Crystal Palace other than to say, we've over performed and come up short right at the very end. Hope and expectation can be very cruel but it's been a stunning season. It's a strange feeling to be top of the table with just one game to go and feel dejected and disappointed, but there we are. That's enough of that.

On the job front the firm has finally found some funds to employ me permanently. As ever there's a hurdle. The job will be advertised, I'll have to apply etc etc. The twist being if they don't pick me I'll have no choice but to sod off back to my old job because the new person will be sitting in my chair. Swine. There is also a question over how much the salary will be. I suspect not as much as I get now which might end up being a factor. Either way, I'm told that when I return to work next week the ole will be advertised. We shall see.

Right, that's all for now. All books still available so spread the word.

The Stone Roses and Agents

Evening folks,

It's been a very lively few days and in all the excitement I forgot to mention I went to a concert on Friday night. Myself and a few friends went to see the Stone Roses at Heaton Park, their first gig of any note in over 15 years. I won't bore you with the details because if you're interested you were either there or have watched the videos on Youtube. Suffice to say, in years to come I will be able to say I was there and it's something that I and my friends will talk about whenever we meet up.

Aside from that the wife turned 40. I went large with the present budget which seemed to be the right play. Lots of tears and talk of it being the perfect weekend. So that's not done me any harm long term.

One thing I haven't done is write. Not a word in weeks. It's a particular shame because the new Mitch and Rupert book was pouring out of me. I've decided to print off what I've done so far, read it and try to get back into the flow. Fingers crossed.

Still no response from the material I emailed to Simon Trewin, but I've let it go now. On the other hand I did get a couple of Tweets from Carole Blake so I'm toying with the idea of sending something to her. Humour me, I have a blind spot when it comes to rejection.

Sales remain steady, if a little slower which I'm putting down to it being summer and my doing less promo. Mind you, the British summer has been so bad I'm surprised more folk aren't indoors reading.

Until next time...

Short Story for Christmas

Afternoon folks,

It's been a while since my last post but I've been a busy boy. Not least securing five tickets for the first night of The Stone Roses reunion tour. I was very popular that day once word spread that I had the tickets.

Just as a quick aside I went to see the Bad Shepherds last night. Met the band afterwards too. If you've never seen them they're well worth a visit, properly entertaining versions of songs you will know. My favourites were Up The Junction and Down in the Tube Station at Midnight. There's links if you click the band name and song titles.

Anyway, the point of today's post is to announce the impending launch of a short story I've written for Christmas. This effort is called The Storyteller: A Ghostly Tale for Christmas. I wrote it about five years ago for the young lady who is now my wife. She cried at the time as I recall. Presumably due to the quality of the writing. Interpret that as you will.

Anyway, I was reading Susan Hill's The Small Hand recently, that got me thinking about my story, although the two are nothing alike. I dug it out, and quite liked it. I've tweaked it a bit and it's currently in the final stages of being edited. I've done a preliminary cover for it too which I'll post on here for you to look at.

Essentially, the story uses A Christmas Carol as it's influence, the idea of reflecting upon one's life by looking at the past, present and future. It's only just over 11,000 words but it's quite a nice little story I think. Anyway, I'm hoping to launch it on Kindle etc, by the end of this month. I'll follow it up with the release of Playground Cool pretty much straight away I think.

Then, if all goes to plan, The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe will be ready to go early in the new year.

Until next time...