UK writers and advice

As a British man, I am hoping to get my break through a UK agent and/or publisher. Therefore, I need to be focussed on the British way of doing things. Unfortunately - and no disrespect here to my US friends - most of the on-line blogs and tweets seem to be in relation to the US market.

What I am looking for - and here is where you can help - is information pertaining to getting a book published in the UK. If you know of any good advice sites and/or Twitter accounts, please feel free to add them to the comments here.

All advice will be greatly welcomed.

Thanks.

Barack's Beast Bettered by Britain's Baby Beast

Barack Obama's recent unplanned introduction to the vagaries of the European road system caused a flurry of concern in Downing Street, where the British Prime Minister David Cameron had been busily planning for the impending visit of the US President and his wife. Hoping to avoid a similar embarrassment to the one which occurred as the presidential cavalcade left the US Embassy in Dublin, the PM instructed MI5 to come up with a solution - fast. “After all,” he said, “Britain's road system is exactly the same as Ireland's.”

A spokesperson for Downing Street denied that the PM was concerned that recent budget cuts had undermined his belief in the British police “to be able to look after the President properly”, stating that “the PM had full confidence in the British security services”. He also added that "such an amateur over site by the US Secret Service in their own back yard would never occur on British soil if British security personnel were involved, I can assure you."

“Despite such fears, in the spirit of the 'special relationship' that still exists between the UK and the US, the PM has decided to offer the President and the First Lady full use of a British, purpose built Baby Beast that won't get stuck on any bumpy bits, and costs just a fraction of the 'safest car in the world’.”

British writer Diem Burden, the proud owner of the black 1996 Rover Mini limo, stated, “The Baby Beast, or Burp as I like to call it, might not be the safest car in the world but it does go over bumps with ease, and it’s probably the most environmentally friendly limo in the world. Plus, it looks cool. British cool.’

A spokesperson for the Obama administration declined to comment, stating that they never discuss the President’s security arrangements.

Picture courtesy of http://www.flickriver.com/photos/kenjonbro/3795756317/

Writing a book?

Only an idiot would consider writing a book. Why?

Like music, all the books have been written, all the songs have been sung. Surely only an idiot would enter this arena?

I am one such idiot.

In fact, I wrote the first book (about 90%) of a Fantasy Series before turning to a 'shorter book' to write. Let me tell you now, no such thing as a 'short book' exists.

Each book will take a lifetime to write...

I'm too old to do it now...aren´t I?

As a guy in my mid-forties, constantly fighting a growing waistline and panicking at every ache or twinge in my body, worried that it might be THE illness that finishes me, I sometimes think that my achievements are all but over.

• I never quite learned to play the guitar yet still believe I will when I get the time
• I never quite got my black belt, managing a brown instead (in Taiho-Jutsu)
• I never fully mastered a second language although I am still learning and progressing
• I did get my pilot´s licence a few years back, probably my greatest achievement ever
  
• I never wrote my book, although I have written 5 chapters so far and have a great fantasy story for another book, but I will finish them when I get the time!!

It all leads me to believe that I still have a lot to do, yet unless my life radically changes they will have to wait until I retire. If I live to be that old, that is. And that´s what worries me, never getting that far and never writing my books. I know they are good, those friends who have read my initial manuscripts tell me they are. But will they ever be finished? Will they ever get published?

Regular readers of my blogs (and there are many blogs) also tell me they like my writings...maybe I do have something?

So, am I too old now? Anne Pool, 65 years, of Inverness, has just obtained her pilots licence. After watching the Red Arrows she decided to take up flying and within 3 years she was awarded her pilot´s licence.

Now Anne, if you can do that, I most certainly can write my bloody books (time permitting, as always). Thank you, you are an inspiration. And congratulations!

For the full story on the BBC, click here