Giving Talks
Ok, this is a slight digression. Today I’ve been writing a speech. Only a little one, but it’s one that has to be good, so I’ve been playing around with words, rereading old speeches and trying out new anecdotes. I enjoy giving talks. Which author wouldn’t? We get an audience, we get a fee, we … Continue reading
Betrayal, by Julian Stockwin
There are books I try to avoid, and books I have to buy. To my great shame, there are also books which I haven’t read – mainly, in my defence, because I don’t have that much time to read. I have a lot of books to read before I can write my own ones, and … Continue reading
Testing Times – Writing for the Web
It was a while ago I decided that I’d have to test the digital waters. At present a few of my books are up there on the web. I’ve the first six or so titles available through the HarperCollins imprint Avon Books in the US, and the more recent books are all on the internet … Continue reading
Blasted BBC Again!
Blasted BBC stupidity once more! There are few things that can reduce me in moments to sheer, gibbering rage, but this one’s got me. Worked in a nanosecond. No, not one of the usual ones. Not politicians claiming their food allowances, not even politicians lying through their teeth. No, this was much, much worse. It’s … Continue reading
European Stitch-Up
Last week we had a pretty unanimous conclusion from within the government about the impact of the meetings on Thursday night. The use of the British veto was necessary, because, as he said last Friday: “The demands Britain made for safeguards, on which the Coalition Government was united, were modest and reasonable. They were safeguards … Continue reading
The Emperor’s New Clothes
As an ex-computer salesman, this really grabbed my interest today. The idea that a man could propose stopping using emails is pretty remarkable for any business. But for a senior exec? The article’s here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16055310 The first thing to strike you is that it’s ludicrous that a senior businessman could suggest not using email. I … Continue reading
BBC Short Story Slashing!
It really is BBC Lunacy. Oh, I know. There are so many aspects of the BBC that call for the searing satire of a Swift, and yet here I am, a mentally meandering crime hack, doing my best with one aspect only. Which? The latest changes to the Radio 4 schedule, of course. Ok, so … Continue reading
Drugs again
Drugs – Yet Again Ach, I really, really dislike returning to this, but really, what is the point of the anti-drugs policy? I saw this today http://chapman.dailymail.co.uk/2011/11/your-best-friend-calls-you-and-tells-you-heshes-really-sick-how-do-you-show-you-care-1.html and felt the irritation rising again. A nice picture needed to calm me down now. Let’s see. Ah, water. That’s good. Is there a purpose to our “War … Continue reading
Ebooks and Stuff!
Good news potentially, from the Frankfurt Book Fair. Apparently agents are warning of a reckoning to come, because of the low royalties paid to authors. If you want to read more, go and look at The Bookseller for the full article here: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/agents-warn-e-book-reckoning.html Many people have asked me in the last few months why so … Continue reading
RIP Steve Jobs
OK. Steve Jobs. Now, I have never met the man, and yes, I admire him. He took a pretty screwy idea, and set up a small company in his parents’ home. He created the Apple computers. I had some experience of them. The old Apple IIe used to grace a table in my parent’s home, … Continue reading
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