Hello everyone,
If you’re reading this post because you ‘Follow’ my blog, may I say a big thank you for hanging on and bearing with me through what has been a rather lean period in terms of blog posts and story writing. Your ongoing support of, and interest in, my writing life is sincerely appreciated.
The good news, as far as my writing is concerned, is that my summer hiatus should now be at an end. I’ve been working pretty solidly on fixing up a property where my family can live, now that we’ve relocated from Turkey to Romney Marsh. That’s just about habitable now – who needs internal doors and curtains and carpets? And I’ve always thought indoor plumbing a bit of an indulgence. Plastic buckets work just as well as flushing toilets and they’re portable, which means you don’t even need to get off the sofa or out of bed when nature calls.
And so to the main purpose of this post. As part of this year’s Windsor Festival a ‘meet the authors’ evening is being put on. I’m taking part. It’s happening this coming Thursday, 21st September. It’s a ticketed event. (I hope they don’t expect to me to buy one to listen to myself. I can do that for free here.)
I’m going to be on a panel with the four other authors pictured in the banner above.
The brief is that we each have seven minutes to fill (surely, talk eruditely to the audience?) about our book and writing related stuff and then there will be a Q&A and then a book signing. Am I daunted at the prospect of sitting shoulder to shoulder with authors whose books can be found in actual bookshops? What do you think? I’ve ordered some Tena pants from Ebay this morning. I hope they arrive in time and don’t rustle too much when I move.
I’m very much looking forward to the evening and I would love to think that there is at least one person in the audience who has the faintest idea of who I am. If any of you should be free on Thursday and can attend, I’d love to meet you. I’m prepared to beg, but not pay for your ticket.
One weight off my mind for the day is transport. I spent all my money fixing up the new place. I’ve been cycling everywhere for three months. A friend has offered to give me a ride up there. We’re leaving Romney Marsh early Tuesday morning. Be prepared for long tailbacks on the M25.
Oliver Tidy 
Good luck for Thursday, I am sorry but I can’t be there, and am sure you won’t need Tenant Pants lol.
Thanks, Jay. I hope I won’t too. Then i can re-sell them on Ebay. š
This is one of the few times when I wish I lived in the south. I would have been there. You should let your publisher know that there is a great city in the north by the name of Leeds and, contrary to commonly held beliefs, the natives are very intelligent and many can read. (Other northern cities are also available!)
Enjoy the evening, you are every bit as good as any other author who may or may not have a whole string of physically published books so don’t be intimidated.
Glad the house is coming together so that your family can come together. I hope your wife is prepared for cold, grey and miserable, – but I’m sure you will cheer up when they get here š
Not sure she will enjoy our weather much though,
Hi Dawn,
Thanks very much for your comment. The ONLY trouble with The North for me is the distance from here. That and no one ever asked me up there to talk about my books :-))
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. I really appreciate them.
One of the good things about The South is that the sun shines a bit more down here? Although, yes, autumn is on the way. It’s looks like being a tough settling in period for my wife but my son has started school well. That’s the main thing for us.
Best wishes and thanks again. š
PS New book The Fallen Agent coming soon š
Hi Oliver if I lived nearer I’d be there so hopefully your fans who do live nearer will want to attend
I’m afraid I’ve not heard of any of the other authors but have no doubt that you have have earned your place alongside them
I’m glad to hear progress is being made on the house but of course I’d much prefer you to be writing so hope it continues to go well
Good luck for Thursday but I don’t think you’ll need it
Hi Denise,
Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. Much appreciated.
Yes, the house is getting there enough for me to start on some writing again. I need to – I’ve got bills to pay!:-)
Best wishes and thanks again.
PS All I need on Thursday is my Tena men undies and stiff drink. š
Its a long way from Turkey I’m afraid Oliver and even if I was able to make it, I don’t think I really would want your signature all over the screen of my Kindle!! Apart from that, I wish you the very best on the evening. Not only will you easily fill the allotted time I am sure you will overrun it. If ever I do make it back to the UK I will be sure to look you up on Romney Marsh. Hope your family can survive the UK weather, after all I don’t think you could afford yet another divorce!!!
Hi Emmy,
Thanks for your comment and your generous thoughts. Always appreciated. No worries about my signature – it’s just a small ‘X’.
If ever you get back to the wet and cold UK the pleasures of Romney Marsh await š It looks like it could be a long and tough winter on all fronts. I hope things are well for you still over there. š
Best wishes
So wish I could come to the festival, it would be wonderful to meet you in person. I’ll be there in spirit.
Many thanks, Susan. I will look out for a vibration in the ether š
Well, if you ever come to the US and Ohio, count on me showing up. I have recommended your books to my friends. Too bad I don’t have a lot of friends. I also left a copy of the short stories at my mom’s nursing home.
So far, the reviews have been positive. I am serious, old people appreciate good stories too.
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your message. It cheered me up on a wet and gloomy British morning. š I love the idea of the short stories being available to be read in your mum’s nursing home. I would love to see a picture :-)))))
Best wishes
Good luck Oliver …. not that you’ll need it!
If your talk is as good as your books you’ll get an ‘encore’
All the very best š
Ah, Mo, you are too kind. Thank you for your lovely message of support. š
Best wishes
I’m sure you’ll manage to expound for seven minutes: just hope the Tena pads you buy on eBay aren’t second hand. But you will have to give us all the run-down on your speech, also on what the other authors had to say for themselves. If you go on like this it will soon be air-kissing and call me darling. Enjoy it: break a leg.
Best wishes: Pat.
Hi Pat,
Haha… thanks for your support, as always. I’m looking forward to it. I’m also just a little bit terrified. I can’t remember anything. I can go to my local Tescos for three things and come back with one. It could be a looooong seven minutes š
Best wishes, luvvie š
I can’t make Windsor, much as I would love to, in order to meet you, but good luck. I’ve read all your books, Booker and Cash and Romney and Marsh are my favourites, the ex-soldier I found rather hard to get into initially, but its one of those series that grows on you. Tell the audience about your new book about anti gravity and promise them they won’t be able to put it down!
Hi Ernie,
Many thanks for your kind message, sir. Much appreciated, as is your ongoing support of my writing. It should be an interesting evening.
Best wishes