THE ELLORY JOURNAL

THE LIBRARY TOUR CONTINUES...

I never cease to be amazed by the tremendously warm welcome I receive when visiting local and city libraries. Last night I had the pleasure of attending Market Drayton to give a reading and answer some questions presented by a small but very interested and attentive audience. Usually, in such events, there can be anywhere between ten and forty people. Last night we had perhaps fifteen or so in total, amongst them a young man called Sam who has great aspirations to write. May I take the opportunity here to say that it was a pleasure to meet you Sam, and I wish you all the very best with your literary career. My thanks also to the Shropshire Stock Development Manager, Rawden Parslow (who collected me from Shrewsbury train station and drove me all the way to the library!), the Market Drayton Library Manager, Kate Woodward, her husband Robert, and all the staff for their invitation and support.

Unfortunately the rural and local libraries are battling for funding. This has been the case for many years, and predictions are that it does not look any easier for the near future. As an author, I feel it is my responsibility to assist in any way that I can, and that is why it is always such a pleasure to be invited to attend such events. Anything that can be done to get more people into more libraries has my vote.

I have just agreed to a further six or seven dates in May. I will be at Long Lane, Tipton, Walsall and Dudley amongst others. I will keep the 'Signings & Appearances' option on the website updated as soon as I have specific dates and times, but I look forward to seeing as many of you there as can make it. They are usually great fun, informative for those who have an interest in pursuing publication and have a love of writing in general, and for anyone who wants books signed and suchlike then these events are the ideal opportunity.

It looks like it will be a busy summer - City of Lies appears in paperback in July, and in August we have the hardback release of A Quiet Belief In Angels. Candlemoth has just been secured for transaltion into Swedish, and we are dealing with an interested enquiry for City of Lies from a prestigious French publisher. Personally I have a tremendous affinity for all things French, and I attempt to speak the language as often as I can (quite badly!), and the idea of publishing in French is of great interest to me.

Anyway, we persist. I'll write again soon, but in the meantime I wish you all well.