The Inland Magazine (TIM) May

The latest TIM is out now and as usual also published online (see below)

It carries my contributions:
The Legal Page (Pg 10) this month on driving penalties.
My topical article: Royalist or Republican (pg 16)
and Book reviews (Pg 30) and lots of other good stuff.

Open publication - Free publishing - More inland

Spain Exposed

I recently published my first Amazon Kindle eBook - Spain Exposed. 

Being a writer, like an artist, means that your work is open to public scrutiny and naturally everyone has different opinions with their likes and dislikes.

I have said in the past that a writer, like an artist, likes to get a reaction from people - and indeed in the preface of Spain Exposed I say: 'A writer always wants a reaction from his readers.'

Naturally a positive reaction is preferred so when I got a negative review on Amazon the other day I was disappointed. 

But today someone (Myra) has posted her review, and maybe because she took the time to read the Product description and so has purchased the right book for her, says this:

'My partner and I are possibly moving to Spain in 6 months. We don't have to look for work as my partner works offshore so will fly home to Spain every few weeks. I found this book very entertaining and even if you don't want to become an expat it is a good read.'

 

Which is great - because I have been able to share something with her that she has obviously enjoyed and helped her with their planned relocation to Spain.

So thanks Myra (wherevever you are) I hope your Spanish plans work out and as the book's Product Description say: ....intended to entertain and inform. But who knows - they might even help your life's search. 

Also today I received my first (small) Amazon royalty payment - so everyone is happy!

 

The Magnificent Seven

You can blame Simon Whaley (yes him again) it is his idea for seven writers to post 7 lines from the 7th page from the 7th line of a current work in progress - mine might end up being a submission for an anthology:

...I knew from the first moment I met him that we would be great friends – immediately feeling like I had known him for years. He was old enough to be my father and we often let people think he was just one of our many shared jokes.
Those crazy days attempting to play golf. Frequently failing to clear the water obstacle with our golf balls skimming across the lake before sinking to murky oblivion.
“Another Barnes Wallis shot,” he would say as we cracked up, hardly observing golf etiquette. We didn’t care.

The Inland Magazine April 2012

My current monthly pages appeared in TIM - The Legal Page (on Pg 8) covering Spanish tax declarations and Book Reviews (Pg 30) covering a range of books can be viewed online if you cannot obtain a magazine.

Open publication - Free publishing - More magazine

Alzheimer Spring Market Success

Yesterday I along with the team of volunteers ran the Alzheimer Spring Market and despite the windy conditions causing us to chase some of the stock around the floor, managed to sell a variety of goods and make over 1,000 Euros for the funds.

I manned the book stall and met lots of people who kindly bought a selection of books which I hope they enjoy reading.

If you are able to visit our shop in Torrevieja - please do so and you are welcome to donate items for us to sell and of course maybe you will also find a bargain.

Simon Whaley and a Blizzard

Just back from a little sojourn in the UK. The weather was extreme with a blizzard in Shropshire before it settled down and I walked in snow covered hills, an experience I have not had for many years. The reward was a fine old English country pub with real ale, another rare treat.

Another highlight was meeting Simon Whaley - an early mentor in my writing career and someone to whom I still turn for occasional advice. Along with another published author, John Bishop, we 'chewed the cud' over the current state of publishing and other related topics for a couple of hours. A very interesting interlude whilst waiting for the weather to clear, which as you can see from the photo it finally did.

I also managed to visit some traditional bookshops and rummage through some classic tomes and purchased a few to add to my library. Long live the indie bookshops.

So despite the blizzard it was a great trip and thanks to everyone I met and spent time with.