Cartels – what next for publishing?
The whole idea of preventing cartels is to permit the public to get the cheapest price, always. And it’s a good idea, clearly. Except … Sometimes a cartel may not be a cartel. How about this? Forty years ago, say, a massive international conglomerate decides to increase its profits. It sees a few small companies … Continue reading
Displacement Activities
I’ve been trying to type the first paragraph of the next book. For quite some time. It’s there, in my head, but my head is an irrational location in which to story it with any hope of getting it out and down on paper. Dr Wang, who created Wang Laboratories in the 1950s, was an … Continue reading
Warfare through the ages
I am in the middle of writing a new book that will be based much more on war and how medieval fighters lived, fought and died. Obviously the start point has to be the history. I’ve been soaking up books on the period for the last few weeks, trying to get a good basic understanding … Continue reading
A New Project for Me!
It was a few years ago that I first talked to the Royal Literary Fund about their Fellowship scheme. As a concept, it takes some beating, I think. Going to university is a difficult time for many students: they have a whole new lifestyle to get used to, without parents and friends. A whole new … 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
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
Smoking Rears its Head Again
It seems as though all my time just now is spend blogging about various legal or illegal substances. Last week it was illegal drugs – this week it’s been announced that the UK doctors are asking that smoking in private cars should also become illegal. There are good reasons why British doctors should feel that … 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
Working – written with the active non-cooperation of HTC.
So, after a short interlude, I’m back. No, I didn’t have a holiday. Just too many things on, particularly school holidays, for me to be able to sit down and type sensibly! I said two weeks ago, I think, that I would write something about writing with the new tablet. So here it is. There … Continue reading
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