And Another Song

An all time fave - just found this vid on youtube and I LOVE it

Don't Give a Damn

This song has been going around and around and around my head of late. Love it!

All Quiet

Not much to report on the Nik front, really. I've managed to get all the post launch errands done which has left me free (well, as of Thursday afternoon) to write which has been a real treat. It's been good to get back into it.

Along with some pieces of really rubbish news (which I can't talk about) there have been some good bits, which I will be able to talk about soon.

So, until then, I will have to remain vague.

Hope you're all enjoying the sun.

Stuff (Including poetry pics and the problem with my brain)

First off, this self imposed blog going quiet for a while doesn't seem to be happening. Not sure why. Maybe that's a good thing.

Secondly, just received these photos from the lovely Jo Bell - they're a few of the people who wrote poems in the pub last Thursday (mentioned here by me, and here by Jo). She had 41 in all which is  just fab!

And thirdly, a disclaimer of sorts: The problem with Twitter = The Problem With My Brain. Now, I can be very easily distracted. Honestly, at times my brain can be everywhere; a hudred places a minute - and having lots and lots going on doesn't help this. One moment I'll be thinking of how cool it was to do such and such and the next I could be cross about XYZ. And I might Twitter these thoughts.

Now, this is the important bit: it doesn't mean the two are related! And if it appears that I'm cross (for example) with you, I'm probably not (if I am I'll have told you long before). So if there has been any confusion, I apologise.

Blame my brain. And Twitter for being so tempting to just fire things off as they flit into my head.

But I will try to do better in the future.

Right. Back to it.

Ooh, trees...

20 Photos & 20 Stories Launch

It is with great, great pleasure that I can say that the launch on Sunday for the photo book I helped out with for The Alzheimer's Society went brilliantly. Katherine Elizabeth Lewis whose idea the whole thing was, and who'd been seriously under the weather for the whole of the week before, was able to come which made me very happy. And the turnout was splendid - the venue was full and a huge thanks to Julie and to Freya who provided first class service and cake.

The readings and readers were fab, and went down a treat (with one minor exception - here's a Nik tip: If you're thinking of getting very, very drunk and attending a book launch with the intention of making a scene you're likely to make yourself look very, very silly).

Hearing the readers' work aloud was, for me, the best bit - it was a powerful reminder of the quality of the work, both the stories, poems and haiku that are in the book and things people read that weren't were all brilliant and varied. We even got to hear former Cheshire poet Laureate, Joy Winkler sing as part of a piece from the show she's doing with other contributors Jo Bell and John Lindley. And I thoroughly enjoyed the reading work of people who weren't able to attend, through bank holiday trains and living in foreign countries and being poorly (hope I did them justice!!).

And books were sold. Money was raised. And a good time was had by all.

And I got to go for a drink afterwards, and meet and chat, with some lovely people, including Janette Jones  Caroline Smailes, Mr Bubble Cow and many many more.

Brilliant. Brilliant night all round, really.

Here are some pics of some of the readers. There'll be more to come.

Me signing - photo by Jo Belfield

And some photos courtesy of Rick Martindale

Steve Howe

Karen Crook

Joy Winkler

Caroline Smailes

Jenny Martin, reading Last Post

Jo, from The Alzheimer's Society

Me handing Caroline her framed story and pic, bought for her by a very generous anonymous fan (the other side of it was FAR more interesting).

Thrilled with how it went and thrilled that so many people made the effort to be there. And reminded me how much I enjoy doing readings.

Huge thanks to all!

***

And I received a message on Twitter yesterday from Jo Belfield who, after attending the reading, had been inspired to write a poem. Here it is:

"Hello Kettle, I'm Pot" you say,
As we sit here similar but different
With our own assigned places and roles.

Put here together
We observe each domestic incident and event,
Rising to the task, providing comfort and sustenance.

Often we bubble along - contentedly simmering,
Or we clash loudly,
Bumping each other, vying for room.

Sometimes we are steamy, fiery to the touch.
We spit and jerk, jolt and burn,
Volatile vessels of anger and noise.

But always there is quiet at the end of the day,
Intimate in the knowledge of each other's dents and curves,
Content in our places, me Kettle, and you Pot.

Books From People In The Book

If you were at the launch last night you'd have heard (as well as some wonderful readings) me mentioning the contributors to the 20 Photos 20 Stories book were both local writers and professional authors; you'd also have heard me mention said authors' books by name. But you'd have also been very excited by the quality of the readings and might, in the excitement, not have remembered the titles of those books.

So, here, in no particular order, they are:

Words From a Glass Bubble, by Vanessa Gebbie.

A Kind of Intimacy, by Jenn Ashworth.

The White Road and Other Stories, by Tania Hershman.

Black Boxes, by Caroline Smailes.

In Search of Adam, by Caroline Smailes.

Loads and loads of Anne Brooke's!!

On The Edge and Morag's Garden, by Joy Winkler.

House of Wonders, by John Lindley.

Navigation, by Jo Bell.

And a little book about Romans and Celts and a boy who doesn't like sleeping. By me.

I do hope I've not left any out.

***

There'll be more on the launch soon, with some pics. And vids and audio, hopefully. But, for those of you who just can't wait, click here for a teaser courtesy of Jo Bellfield, or here courtesy of Bubble Cow. Or here, if you'd rather see someone who wasn't me.

***

On a personal and mental note, I'm shattered. I have a lot to catch up on and a lot to write. And I can't wait to get back into it. I have loved working on the photo book but that, and all the other stuff that's happened over this past few months, has been tiring and a bit of a strain. So if things go a little quiet over here for a wee while, you'll know why - I'll just be getting back to being me again. And getting organised.

I'm not going to stop blogging - far from it - there are some fab interviews I've lined up for one thing. But I thought I'd let you know.

There. That's it I think.

Quick Post

Just a very quick post to let you all know that last night's launch for the photo book was fab. Lots of brilliant work read brilliantly. And I got to chat with some really lovely people too. I'll blog in more detail about it soon, once I've done my chores and once I have photos and things.

To all the lovely people who came - thank you!

Musical Interlude

Thanks to the super Sarah Salway for this. It's brill, and will give those not out in the sun something to listen to while I'm out setting up for tonight's reading/launch, and getting nervous about it.

Pub + Poems = Fun

I went to an event of Jo Bell's last night and it was brilliant.

This was the idea: go to the pub and write poems.

On plain beer mats.

And it worked so well.

Jo's an excellent poet, and she's lovely (I knew these things already) so I knew it would be good - and it really was. She had some fab exercises for us to do and managed to get people who were just there for a beer and a chat to get writing - with terrific results. Seriously, some great and hilarious poems were produced. I think we counted 40 poems by the end of the evening, which is pretty darned good in two hours.

What a great idea. She should do it more. And it was so nice for me to be on the other side of things for a change. I had a lot of fun.

(And I must place on record my jealousy for her having been to 826 Valencia Street.)

***

And everything's pretty much sorted and in place for Sunday's book launch. Looking forward to it very much.

Right. Back to work.

THIS IS IMPORTANT

Salt are an incredibly good publisher of short story and poetry collections. Incredibly good. And they're dedicated to forms (ie short stories and poems) that are often overlooked. 

And they need your help because they've really suffered as a result of the economic downturn.

Please look at their catalogue and if there's something there you like please buy it (there should be) - you'll be making a huge difference. 

Their website is here, but buying their books from any seller will help.

Busy

Well I think I'm as busy as I've ever been, possibly even as busy as when I was doing the Roaming Roman Book Tour all those years ago.

And what have I been doing?

Photobook work, mostly to do with the launch now and posting books (and it's not just editors, type-setters and the like who I have a new found greater respect for, it's everyone who's involved in small presses and small publishers - hats off - it must be INCREDIBLY hard work).

And Katherine, the supercool photographer and collaborator is poorly - good vibes to her please folks. Desperately hoping she'll be able to make the launch.

On top of that there's my work I've tried to do (looking at my white board I've twelve stories that are waiting, eagerly, to be sent to places) and that's not taking into account stuff I want/need to write - that's had to be put off, sadly. But I NEED to get back to doing that soon. I need the money! And I miss it.

And I went to a reading yesterday morning at the local Drop-In Centre. Which was fun. My stories were really well received, which was great and I got to listen to some really great poems too. And, possibly best of all, I was able to see the lovely Joy Winkler sing - she was great - what a performance! (Btw, Joy'll be there on Sunday, maybe we should convince her to do a rendition...)

 

And on top of all of the above there have been a handful of really crappy situations. I'm not going to go into them here, but they've got me down and, mostly, could have been avoided.

I'm just tired now. And looking forward to Sunday's launch, and to a bit of a rest and then getting back into things - especially another really cool top secret project.

And thus ends my rather garbled post. There should be something more cohesive soon. Unless I melt.

A Lovely and Productive Day

Yup, that's precisely what today's been.

At lunch I met up with the truly lovely Caroline Smailes. We had tea, posh tea. The cups it was served in were floral and china and tiny. Caroline was addressed as Madam. I was addressed as Sir. None of this was expected. It was hilarious. (But the tea was very nice and so was the cake.) And I had a great old time.

This afternoon I was able to post all of the photo books I'd had orders for, which is pleasing. Really hope you like them, folks!

And I've been able to make some final arrangements for the book's launch this weekend. And I've been able to get some writing done.

So, all in all, a rather good day.

Tomorrow, I have to decide what to read at an open mic event on Wednesday. Any suggestions? Or something new perhaps? (Those may have been rhetorical questions.)

Generous

Everyone involved with the photo book has been amazingly generous. And it gets better because Jilly Duffy-Unwin (whose amazing work is up with ours at the exhibition) told me earlier that she wants to donate a big percentage of anything that's made from her work at the exhibition to the Alzheimer's Society too.

Wow.

And thanks.

Aren't people just lovely!

Right. Off to dinner now with family (including a sister who's over from Vietnam).

Exhibitionist

This afternoon was spent in the company of the lovely and talented Katherine Lewis and the lovely and talented Jilly Duffy-Unwin (who doesn't have a website but really, really should). We were at the Cafe Waterside to set up our exhibition of stories and photos which we're sharing with Jilly's brilliant paintings and textiles. And it looks brilliant. I'm very, very pleased.

Drum Roll Please

For we have book!

And it looks stunning. These pictures really don't do it justice.

I'm aiming to get those already paid for (thank you, speedy folks!) in the post tomorrow. And if anyone else would like to get their mits on one they can do so by clicking here.

(Lane, Tania, Sarah if you look hard enough you might just see The Cherry above!)

In Print

This just dropped through the front door - the latest issue of Ballista, which contains my story Counting Rain. Looking forward to reading the whole thing later. It looks rather good.

A Metal Horse

I received a rejection last night and I was going to post some sort of response to it on here. Not that I was displeased with the rejection - it was polite, positive and received within a reasonable period of time. I can't ask any more than that and I'm certainly not complaining about it. What it made me think about was all those times I've not heard from places and how disappointing that is. I got quite grumpy about it.

But I'll say no more about it today. I'd just be repeating myself.

Anyhoo, my grumpiness lifted when I looked through the photos on my phone and saw what I'd snapped when I was at the wonderful White Gallery the other day - in the wonderful Fiona's sculpture garden. I love it!

What I Did Today

Today has zipped by and it's been long. Strange. I spent most of the afternoon making arrangements for the Alzheimer's Book's launch (let me know if you can come, folks) and then talking with the top people at our local radio station who are going to record the event and broadcast it the following week - so you all have the chance to listen.  And I've drafted a press release - not something I've done particularly often.

The books should be here tomorrow. I will get them in the post just as soon as I have your money.

And now, even if it's just for a little while, I am going to write.

Kreativ Blog Award

I was given a Kreativ Blogger award by not one but two incredibly good writers yesterday, namely Tania Hershman and Sarah Hilary.

So now I have to tell you 7 things I love and then pass the award on to 7 blogs I love.

Things I love:

1. Aimee Bender (all right, all right, and her stories).

2. Pelikan fountain pens.

3. Cherry keyboards.

4. Good friends, both writing and non.

5. Autumn.

6. Birds.

7. Being able to do what I do.

And the awards go to:

Jenn Ashworth

Preston Writing Network

Jo Bell

Caroline Smailes

How Publishing Really Works

The Small Art of Words

Faye L. Booth

Ballista and a pic

Issue six of the terrific Ballista is now out and available from here. Well worth a look if you like a bit of horror/speculative fiction/science fiction/suspense. And my story, Counting Rain, is in it which is good.

***

And here's a little pic of the front cover of the photo book for charity I've helped out with. (Apologies for the scruffy desk; it has been a busy few weeks and it has since been tidied.)

***

There's lots more I was going to blog about but time, today, has got the better of me.

Treating Myself

I think it's important to give yourself a treat once in a while and with the amount of hard work I've been doing of late and after a not particularly easy couple of months I thought it was about time I did something for me.

So last week I bought myself a ticket to see a brass band. And last night I went. And it was brilliant. Loved it, loved it, loved it. And all on my own. 

Yes. It was brilliant. And so was 2008's BBC Young Musician of The Year, Peter Moore, who did a few numbers; he was more than a little bit special.

Glad I treated myself. And I'm glad it was to something just a little bit different. I will definitely go and see them again.

***

And later today I get to see the proofs of the Alzheimer's book. Not a bad start to the week.

So, What's This Photo Book Going To Look Like Then?

A little like this, perhaps.

(Click the pics to enlarge.)

You can pre-order here. All profits will go to The Alzheimer's Society.

And All Is Revealed

And by 'all' what I really mean is the price of the limited edition 20 Photographs & 20 Stories book I've been working on, with Katherine Elizabeth Lewis, over this past three weeks.

So as long as the proof we see on Monday is okay we should have copies, actual copies, to send and sell and everything later next week.

And those copies will be priced at £14.

So if you'd like one, either drop me an email (by clicking here) or go to my online shop (by clicking here).

I Heart Olive

I'm not going to say too much about this book (because I don't have the time) other than: wow. A worthy winner of a big prize (The Pulitzer). I utterly, utterly loved it, and it's definitely one for my all time favourites shelf. Check it out for yourselves, folks. I don't think you'll regret it.

Nothing to Report

yet. Prices should be confirmed tomorrow. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Right. Must dash.

Link

Tania Hershman talking book promotion on How Publishing Really Works.

And you could win a free book too.

*

And I'm off to a meeting...

Almost There

So, tomorrow I'm hoping that I'll have had all the approvals on the proofs I sent the contributors to the photo book. This is good. This is exciting. This means we can get it to the printers and it means we'll be one step away from being able to have the book, to ship the book, to sell the book and to make money for The Alzheimer's Society. The hard work that Katherine and I have put in will be closer to changing into something physical. I am a bit nervous and very excited.

So let me thank some people. Let me thank Katherine for putting up with me and for working her socks off and for having such fab pictures people have been able to write to. And let me thank all who've written something and who've been so quick and so easy to work with.

Those people are:

Anne Brooke

Barbara Challenger

Betty Challender

Caroline Smailes

Gay Horton

Jenn Ashworth

Jenny Martin

Jo Bell

John Lindley

Joy Winkler

Katherine Lewis

Karen Crooke

Lorrie Porter

Lynda Iverson

Nik Perring

Sandy Milsom

Steve Howe

Sue Heathcote

Tania Hershman

Vanessa Gebbie

And of course, thanks to all who entered the competition here; I'm sorry there wasn't space for you all.

Tomorrow I'll also be able to say exactly how much the book will cost. It'll be around £15 (no more) and lovely. When I'm able to I'll add it to my online shop. If anyone knows they want one now then email me or drop me a note in my comments.

Right. Good. So now you know. Roll on tomorrow!

Kate McLean

Over the weekend I bumped into Kate McLean - who's a terrific photographer (this must be the month for me meeting terrific photographers).  To raise money for the local arts festival (yes, the one the organisers don't want me to be a part of, cue: a grumbling author) she put together a terrific calendar (it really is good fun, and perhaps one more for the ladies). Anyhoo, I promised I'd mention the event where original and signed prints are to be auctioned, so...

*

Right. Back to it. A lot to get through today.

Long Day

But a really fun one. The order is sorted for the book. Things are pretty much type-set. Everything is almost there and I'll be able to get proofs to contributors tomorrow.

And I stayed after the meeting at Katherine's house for a lovely dinner and met some really lovely people. And all of the men present wore beards. I felt very much at home. 

Looking Good!

Excited. I saw the first mock-ups of the photo book earlier. They look terrific.

I'm meeting with Katherine tomorrow to finalise those little bits that make all the difference, then I'll be able to get proofs out to all the contributors, then we'll be good to go.

And soon a lovely art book will be born. And money can be made for charity. 

And I can get back to writing. I've missed it, to be honest. Not that this hasn't been fun.

Roll Up, Roll Up

This will be fun. These are top, top, top poets.  If anyone's going let me know; I'll be going to one, just not sure which yet. More details at circus member (and co-ordinator of National Poetry Day) Jo Bell's website.

And The Winner Is

Well, judging the competition entries last night was both fun and really, really difficult. Seriously folks, the quality of submissions was very high and I think it's fair to say that any could have won.

But there could be only one winner. And after much deliberation, discussion (but not actual disagreement) Katherine and I both agreed, happily, that the story/poem that should go in the book was Vanessa Gebbie's entry. 

It was, as Katherine said, 'the story that captured the moment between hand and the hen the best.'

Congratulations to Vanessa, and huge, huge thanks to all you others. If I'm honest we could have put out a book containing all the entries.

Stay tuned for more info.