Just received the proof read draft of the next book in the series, 'Great Bales of Fire'. This is the next step in the creation of a book which has been a real eye-opener for me. The legal team have to assess it for references which cause offence or lible problems. The art team create a book cover (or 'Jacket' as it's called by people who know about such things). The publicist sorts out book signings and literary festivals to promote the book..... and lots more people behind the scenes work h...
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5th September 2012 - After sharing lunch with the local rotary club, where I sat between the president of the club and a lovely chap who turned out to be a judge, I was invited to give a shortened version of my normal 50 minute speech, as I was warned that some of the members had a tendency to nod off. I took this as a personal challenge and delivered a rip-roaring speech where not a single person had a chance of 40 winks, as there was so much laughing and banging of tables. At the allotted f...
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Saturday 11th August - Simon Baynes and Andrew Lownie (my literary agent) were at university together. This prompted an invitation to an intimate book signing event which took place in a room above the bookshop where 15 people "crammed" in to here my stories and have their books signed. Although small in number, the gathered audience were extremely enthusiastic and seemingly thoroughly enjoyed an hour and a quarter of fire service stories and the story of how my book came about.
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Tuesday 19th June - Provided light relief at the end of a very informative and businesslike AGM of 100 or so retired council employees. Very impressive setting, as this is Shrewsbury's newly built theatre, and it was really enjoyable having such a large stage to perform from. Had a lot of fun doing it and judging by the testimonial in the after-dinner speaking section of this website, they seemed to enjoy it too.
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On 17th May 2012, I had a wonderful evening at the AGM of the Copthorne Kickers. They'd loved the speech 6 months before so much they booked me again. Of course this meant a whole new set of stories. Not a problem though, I have lots!
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