I've been very puzzled for some time now so it's about time I asked. Every now and again I pop in to look at arena and see what the challenges are. I know it's being re-vamped but am wondwering if I am stuck in a loop. I'm sure I saw somewhere on he... Read more

I have been diverted for a while from writing and all but essential publishing tasks by the need to earn my living. Teaching has been hit by the recession. So I hit on the idea of buying and selling second hand books to keep the wolf from the door. S... Read more

At long last, before going into hospital for the knee replacement [by the skin of my teeth -- excuse mixed metaphor], Andrew McIntyre's book of excellent short stories is out in the real world. It is called THE SHORT,THE LONG AND THE TALL and details... Read more

At last I've had the op on my kneee and am back home and improving every day. Immediately after the operation it was less painful than it had been in what one might call its natural state. That, of course, may have had something to do with dose... Read more

At last I'm due to have my new knee Monday week. It got put off a couple of times because the anaesthetist wasn't happy with my heart. It had played up at the pre-op after months of ticking along perfectly. Anyway, several prescriptions later he now ... Read more

Well, it did thaw and I was able to drive to the forest with the dogs and feed my own pet sheep and ducks. It was like being let out of clink. But then back came the snow and all froze again. Neither I nor my friend, with whom I was going to spend C... Read more

Hello everyone. At last I have got enough done of my dreadful backlog of jobs to have time to attend to blogs etc. So there is some catching up to be done. Easiest way to do that is to post here the general letter I sent with Christmas cards as there... Read more

I have been neglecting this blog for some time because I just couldn't catch up with myself. Once more I am making a resolution to be more regular. I'm feeling a bit mor enthusiastic about writing and publishing, having just had a lovely quiet week ... Read more

Quite apart from the complications of getting my book and cover formatted and printed in time for next Friday's launch, fate seems to have decided to put so may obstacles in the way that I began to think the whole thing would be a disaster. First my... Read more

Well. at least now I can get on with my own books. Deborah Rey has withdrawn her book Rachel Sarai's Vineyard from publication. Apart from the fact that my refusal to get involved in some row that she thought was going on [I never saw any of it anyw... Read more