I Just Want To Sleep

Please?

WRITING:

I’m going to be honest, it’s been a tough couple of weeks. We’re in the midst of bringing in a new software system for placements at the UEA, which is adding a new level of complexity to previously-familiar processes, and meanwhile at NORCA, we’ve just recommenced our Sistema programme, which has meant a huge (for us) influx of new students and a resumption of late shifts. So I’m feeling swamped and between the two, starting to feel burnt out and while I’ve only another week of work before a week’s leave, I feel at this point I’ll be lucky to make it without having some kind of meltdown.

In addition to that, we’ve just adopted two elderly blind cats. Who are adorable and the absolute light of our lives, but it’s just One More Thing right now. And for various reasons, this is the third weekend in a row where I’ve had to undertake a long drive.

TL;DR - I don’t think I’ve ever needed a holiday more.

Yes mate, know how you feel.

You’ll be surprised, therefore, to learn that I haven’t exactly done a lot of writing since last time we spoke. I can offer a couple of updates. (i) Having made the ‘Finalists’ of the 2024 Page Turner Book Award with Greyskin, I subsequently didn’t make the ‘Long List’ and (ii) I’ve started looking around for a ‘Digital First’ publisher for my Ray Adams books¹ and had my first rejection. So yay for that.

I was recommended Digital First by crime author Judi Daykin (not personally, I went to a talk). Many publishers now have Digital First offshoots, imprints that will only publish eBooks, unless a book goes on to sell enough for hard copies. It’s a no-brainer - less overheads means they can take more risks and therefore offer more chances to new authors. While I have loved, and do love, being self-published and the autonomy that gives me, I have grown increasingly weary of the miniscule sales figures². So I thought I’d dip my toe. Obviously, with one rejection, I’m now furiously turning my back on the idea, because I’m that kind of idiot³, but it’s good to explore these things, eh?

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I have enjoyed:

1. Conan The Barbarian - After the sad passing of James Earl Jones recently, I decided to honour him by rewatching one of the greatest films of all time, John Milius’ take on Robert E. Howard’s classic character. JEJ plays snakey villain Thulsa Doom, and is magnificent. My love for this movie is 100% unironic.

   

   Name one other actor who could rock that fringe.

2. One Foot In Hell - Seven years after he starred in stone cold classic Shane, Alan Ladd played a very different kind of gunslinger in this morally murky, dark western. Sadly let down by its production values and hammy style, the plot nevertheless has huge potential, with Ladd playing a man whose wife dies due to the frosty welcome they receive in the town of Blue Springs when she’s about to give birth and is in urgent need of medical assistance. He stays on in Blue Springs, taking a job as deputy sheriff, secretly planning to destroy the town that took his wife from him. Huge potential, as I say. It’s a shame that studios feel the need to remake classis like 3:10 to Yuma, rather than finding movies like this that could have been great and redoing them.

   

   That’s Dan O’Herlihy on the left, later Andrew Packard in Twin Peaks

3. My cats - Yeah, I’m that guy now.

   

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Greyskin (Deixis Press) and Playtime’s Over (Propolis) are both available direct from their respective publishers, as well as from all the usual places, online and off.  You can also support my work by buying Ray Adams’ self-published books, or by simply buying me a coffee.

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Finally, I review books on my website, most of which are available through my affiliate book shop on uk.bookshop.org - it’s a great alternative to certain online monopolies, and supports independent bookshops. Affiliates also get a % of books sold through them, so go have a look.

1. Not really Deixis material, being proudly lowbrow, pulp-y space opera actioners.

2. Genuinely, it’s not about the money, it’s about the readers. I’m not worried about SUCCESS, so much as just keen to have more people enjoy them.

3. I mean, obviously I will calm down and keep at it.