Working on a dreary old day.

The weather this weekend in the south east of England is not going to be inspiring to say the least.  It's warm but overcast with the promise of rain.  It is afterall Wimbledon season so what would one expect from the Great British weather?
Today I received the PDF version of my novel The Gordian Knot from my publisher and now I have to spend the weekend reading through it again searching for stray errors and bits I might not be happy with. This will be the last opportunity I have to make changes before its locked down and sent to the printers.
Exciting times, at last after over a year of hard work the book will come into being, just in time for my book launch on Saturday 2nd August.

Introducing The Gordian Knot

I have to apologise for the quality of the pictures in this blog.  I tried everything to load up images from my computer, but for some reason the files were not compatible so I had to use dodgy photographs instead.

This is the cover of my next book The Gordian Knot.  It's the second part in the Torc Trilogy, the first book being The Belgae Torc.

This is a poster of the synopsis that will be displayed at my book launch.

The manuscript is almost ready to go.  The proof readers are due to return it to me this weekend and once I've made a few minor changes it will be ready for the publisher.  The book should be available from Amazon on Kindle and Paperback from the middle of July, you will also be able to order from all good bookshops.

The official book launch will be on Saturday August 2nd, invitations are currently being prepared.

At the launch I intend to raffle off two characters, one Female and one Male.  The winners will have the opportunity to have their name assigned to these characters and appear in the final part of the trilogy.  All money raised will go to a nominated charity.

New Book Launch Venue

Whitstable Rugby Club

I have finally secured a venue for my book launch.  This year it will be held on Saturday 2nd August at Whitstable Rugby Club.  This is my old club, I used to play for Whitstable and also coach the Mini and Junior section.  I was fixture secretary for the Mini and Juniors, and was a member of the committee for about twelve years.  I left all that behind in 2002 and have not been back to the clubhouse since, so it was a trip down memory lane when I called in there last week to make the arrangements for my book launch.

The rugby club is bigger than where I usually hold my events and it also benefits from having its own car park.  Parking in the town is a premium and during July and August the place is usually full of visitors.  The rugby club is easier to find, and as I have more and more guests attending each year it was important to find an alternative and bigger venue.

Latest news on progress.

• The book cover has now been agreed and it looks great.
• The manuscript is undergoing proofreading and comments coming back are very good.
• Promotion opportunities are under way with an appearance at Canterbury library on 1st November.
• My publisher is helping me to promote my books in libraries across Britain and Canterbury want copies of the book as soon as its available.

I am now busy researching for the next book in The Torc Trilogy.  I'm itching to write the first chapter but am holding back as there are loads of things I need to do in the run up to the launch.  I also have to update my website, so busy, busy, busy!

Manuscript, research notes and hand written notebooks.

From my previous blog about the manuscript, I am pleased to be able to post the completed article.  116,386 words, 472 pages (almost a ream of paper), and numerous books of hand written script.

The novel complete.

This one is for the proofreaders. 

Research notes crammed into a large file.  I also used some of the notes from the Belgae Torc file, (the first book in the Torc Trilogy)

I always write the first draft by hand, I find it more intimate than typing directly onto my laptop, my ideas seem to flow better, besides I love notebooks and pens.  I can't stop myself from going into every stationary shop I see and buying notebooks.  The little book on top of the file is crammed with thoughts and ideas, also hand written research notes.  Each one of my novels has one of these little books dedicated to it.  This was invaluable and followed me around everywhere.  It is where ideas first appeared before being expanded into the script.  There is of course loads of stuff in there that didn't make it into the book, but these ideas may be useful for the next part of the trilogy.

Sheffield Park, Sussex

The house at Sheffield Park is not open to the public but it does look splendid in the bright spring sunshine.

Views from around one of the lakes are spectacular at any time of the year.

In the autumn these trees are rich reds and browns.

  The colours reflected in the water during autumn are breathtaking 

We usually visit during the latter part of the year but thought for a change it would be nice to see the trees and plants at springtime.

Two of the residents.

Bluebells add a splash of spring colour.

One of the forest paths leading to an area where during the Second World War soldiers were stationed in billets whilst training before going to France.  The foundations of these buildings were removed a couple of years ago and now young trees have been planted in their place.

These bushes were beautiful, I have no idea what the plants are called but the bees loved the tiny pink flowers.
Check out Sheffield Park on the internet to see it in its autumn glory or better still visit if you can.

Big Boys Toys

I used to have this, a Suzuki Bandit 600s.  I had this bike from new and kept it for ten years.  It only ever came out in the sunshine as I had another bike for everyday riding.

When I sold my bikes a couple of years ago I bought this Mazda MX5.  It is fourteen years old but has very low mileage and is in excellent condition.

The MX5 at Sheffield Park Sussex, Easter 2014

As the sun was shining we had the top down.  This was the MX's first outing this year after wintering in the garage.  The interior is tan leather with wooden sports steering wheel, matching gear lever knob and handbrake.  (I'm beginning to sound like an 'anorak')!  The car is great fun to drive and has loads of go.  It's a 1.8 Mark 2, on a 2000 numberplate, and yes I am a member of the MX5 owners club, with the hat, key ring and tax disc holder!  

A novel update

At last my manuscript is ready to go to the proof readers.  I aim to deliver them copies this weekend and together we have a month in which to find and iron out any horrors.  (Hopefully not too many)!  My publisher wants it by the first week in June.
The cover is done and looks fantastic.  I have to come up with a quote from the book that will appear on the front, so will be searching through the pages this weekend for a suitably gripping sentence.
The countdown to the 'official reveal' has begun.  In four weeks time I will post the cover and synopsis.  The book launch will be at the end of July, but the book will probably be available on Amazon etc from mid July.
Watch this space for further updates.
Happy reading everyone.