Media
Catch up with what’s happening on our social media feeds, and find out about the latest authors to publish with The Book Guild… there’s also company news, the latest author events and a round-up of our latest reviews and media coverage.
Video introductions
Media Coverage
APRIL 2018
Screentrade Magazine The Great Entertainers (Mark Hichens)Choice Magazine, Best of British Magazine, BBC Radio Wiltshire Passport to Fame: The Diana Dors Story (Huw Prall) South London Press, Mochas Mysteries Meows, Lori’s Book Loft The Cats of Butterwick Sands (Gabriella Thomas) Donnas Book Blog, Books are my Cwtches, Nesies Place, Chat About Books, The Secret World of a Book Blogger, Jordana Landsman, Book Reviews by Jasmine, Wrong Side of Forty, Boston Book Reader, Jaffa Reads Too, Writing on the Walls, Bound 2 Escape, Lost in a Book Review Times and Places (Keith Anthony) BBC Radio Derby, The Bramley Café Britannica (Stephen Cardew) Sussex Express, That’s Books Clarice (Imogen Radwan) Shropshire Star, Heritage Railway Magazine, South Shropshire Journal, Hampshire Independent, Mid Hampshire Observer Sir Sam Fay (John Neville Greaves) B-C-ING-U The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria (Daniel Peltz) BBC Radio Suffolk In Search of Urchins (Annie Watson) The Speaker Magazine The Promise (Sally Jenkins) Soho Radio Filming If…. (David Wood) BBC Radio Leeds, Talk Radio Europe Baby Daze (Sarah Davis) PJ’s Blog of Secrets My Bed is a Blackhole (Hadley Wickham) BBC Radio Nottingham Why? (Glynis Baxter) Hertfordshire Life Magazine Rebel with a Cause (Peter Evans) The Review Virgin to Victoria (Trisha Hughes) Mystery People Ghostly Witnesses (James L Williams) Talk Radio Europe, MuggleNet Maggie Smith: A View from the Stalls (Caroline Fevrier) Methodist Recorder Children of Fire (Paul CW Beatty) CMI Professional Manager The First Line (Rob Burlace) Brilliant Books by Helen Wendy Cooper Dreamcats, The Vegetable Village Adventures Worcester News Another Shot (Stephen Anthony Brotherton) The Rock Gabriel’s Journey (Mary Collis) Books Monthly Far, Far the Mountain Peak: A Bumpy Journey, Clarice, Café Britannica, The Arnolfini Connection, The Hanging Women, Sir Sam Fay Female First Magazine Lochdarnock, The Seven Pillars of Nonsense, The Cypher Bureau
MARCH 2018
The Writing Magazine Children of Fire (Paul CW Beatty) Cumberland & Westmorland Herald A Mutant Plasma Orb Christmas (Nick Patrice) The Brick Castle Where Peacocks Scream (Valerie Mendes) Midhurst & Petworth Observer, West Sussex Today, Chichester Post Travels with George (Vivien Fallows) BBC Radio Berkshire The Cats of Butterwick Sands (Gabriella Thomas) Women Together SWI Caught in the Act (David M. V. Spiller) Nene Valley News Lakeside Ramblings (Bob Gotch) Saxmundham News In Search of Urchins (Annie Watson) Of Book Babies and More Blog fLy (M. Z) Theatre Record Magazine, Carry on Blogging Blog Passport to Fame (Huw Prall) Inapub Magazine Drinktionary (Paul Convery) The Scottish Sun Random Treasure (Roger Stewart) BBC Radio Shropshire Another Shot (Stephen Brotherton) The Bookseller Soundman: A Journey Through Rock ‘n’ Roll Sound (John ‘Wilf’ Wilford) West Leeds Dispatch Baby Daze (Sarah Davis) Discovering Diamonds Bright Sword (Christine Hancock) Ex-Pat Radio France The Cypher Bureau (Eilidh McGinness) Harrow Times, Barnet Borough Times The Arnolfini Connection (Brenda Turner) Female First My Bed is a Blackhole, Baby Daze, The Arnolfini Connection, Café Britannica Discovering Diamonds A Corner of My Heart (Mark Seaman) Screentrade Magazine The Great Entertainers (Mark Hichens) Aerospace Magazine Unto the Skies (K. A. Lalani)
FEBRUARY 2018
The Challenger Fireworks to Thailand (J.R. Bonham) Love Books Group In Search of Urchins (Annie Watson) Dumfries & Galloway Standard, Dundee Courier Glimpsing the Unicorn (Betty Tindal) Suffolk Free Press, Newmarket Journal, Haverhill Echo, Bury Free Press, Diss Express Mid-Life Crisis (T. Jessop) Mansfield Chad Why? (Glynis Baxter) Mother & Baby Magazine Baby Daze (Sarah Davis) Playbill Maggie Smith: A View from the Stalls (Caroline Fevrier) Cambrian News The Cats of Butterwick Sands (Gabriella Thomas) Matlock Mercury Café Britannica (Stephen Cardew) The Voice Magazine The Great Entertainers (Mark Hichens) Sussex Living Jackson King & The Morpher’s Heart (Debbie Hood) Northern Echo You Must be Jo King (Moira Murphy) Countryside Magazine Lakeside Ramblings (Bob Gotch) CUB Magazine A Corner of My Heart (Mark Seaman) Harrow People In the Matter of Isabel (Paul A. Mendelson) Express & Star Another Shot (Stephen Anthony Brotherton) The Bookseller Magazine Pre:Fab! (Colin Hall with Colin Hanton) Experience Matters Travels with George (Vivien Fallows) The Fortean Times Trackbed Tales (N. M. Scott) Cornish & Devon Post The Wand Tree: Book of Magic (S. G. Harvey) Writer’s Online, The Warner Times, Book Literati, The Writing Garnet, A Magical World of Words, Portable Magic, A Ticket to Everywhere, Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, Cheryl’s Book Nook, Wise Words, A Chapter in my Life, Room with Books, Vonibee, Dash Fan Book Reviews, Reflections of a Reader, Louise Wise The Promise (Sally Jenkins) That’s Books Living with a Jude (Alice Soule) Books Monthly A Corner of My Heart, You Must Be Jo King, Listen It’s Wednesday, Field of Dust, The Cats of Butterwick Sands Talk Radio Europe A Corner of My Heart, Rinsed, Mid-Life Crisis Female First In Search of Urchins, Bright Sword, The Spain Quiz, Clarice, The Promise, Passport to Fame The Bookseller Lochdarnock, The Jacobite Rebellion, Those Splendid Memories, Times and Places, Why?, The Myra Twins & The Ark of the Coven, Café Britannica, The Seven Pillars of Nonsense, Virgin to Victoria, Breathe, Baby Daze, Seeking Atticus, Bright Sword, The Boy in a Turban, In Search pf Urchins, The Arnolfini Connection, A Journey Through South-East England, Dreamcats, The Kung-Fu Diaries, fLy, Untangling the Webs, Chance to Break, Clarice
JANUARY 2018
Durham Times, Chester Le Street Advertiser, The Northern Echo, Consett & Stanley Advertiser You Must Be Jo King (Moira Murphy) East Anglican Times The Boys from the Bridge (Sebastian Abineri)Homes & Interiors Scotland Losing Arthur (Paul A. Mendelson) 9 to 3.30 Blog The Wand Tree: Book of Magic (S. G. Harvey) Dandelion Arts Magazine The Metropolis of Glass (Chloe Lee) BBC Radio Sussex Travels with George (Vivien Fallows) Herts Advertiser Rebel with a Cause (Peter Evans) Lost in a Book Blog Anything is Possible (Rob Osborne) Being Anne Blog Angelica Stone (Susi Osborne) Shropshire Star Another Shot (Stephen Brotherton) BBC Three Counties Radio Rebel with a Cause (Peter Evans) Claycraft Review Random Treasure (Roger Stewart) Books Ireland Magazine Striking Similarities (Kevin Morley) The Oxford Times Where Peacocks Scream (Valerie Mendes) Mystery People, Solihull Observer The Buzzer (David Mason) BBC Radio Gloucestershire, BBC Radio Wiltshire A Corner of My Heart (Mark Seaman) Lost in a Book Blog A Proclivity to Prurience (Cheryl Butler) CatWorld Magazine The Cats of Butterwick Sands (Gabriella Thomas) That’s Books No Turning Back, The Metropolis of Glass, Legacy of a Duelist, The Boys from the Bridge, Anything is Possible, From Small Beginnings, Ghostly Witnesses, Reflections, Lebensraum 2018, DP Goes A-Roving, The Theology of Truth, Blackhart, You Must be Jo King, A Corner of My Heart, Man of Two Worlds, Random Treasure, The Buzzer, Knowledge: The Root of All Happiness, Clash Books Monthly Two Jam Jars for the Manor, Fireworks to Thailand, Children of Fire, Robert Inferno Talk Radio Europe Travels with George, Passport to Fame: The Diana Dors Story The Bookseller Bitter Sweet, Filming IF
DECEMBER 2017
Galloway Gazette Glimpsing the Unicorn (Betty Tindal) Seaways Magazine Merchant Seafaring (Peter Lyon) David Marx Book Reviews From Small Beginnings (Sean Notyeats) BBC Radio Sussex Travels with George (Vivien Fallows) Parenting Without Tears Blog Losing Arthur (Paul A. Mendelson) BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Gloucester, BBC Radio Somerset, BBC Radio Wiltshire A Corner of My Heart (Mark Seaman) The Village News The Buzzer (David Mason) The Brixton Bugle The Cats of Butterwick Sands (Gabriella Thomas) Love Books Group The Choice, Where Peacocks Scream (Valerie Mendes) Writer’s Online Another Shot (Stephen Brotherton) Hertfordshire Life Magazine Living with a Jude (Alice Soule) BBC Radio Northamptonshire Lakeside Ramblings (Bob Gotch) The Jewish Telegraph The Indomitable Chiesa di Santa Maria (Daniel Peltz) That’s Books The Human Ape, Two Jam Jars for the Manor, The Nokka, Where Peacocks Scream, Come Sweet Sexton, Tend My Grave Books Monthly The Nokka, Where Peacocks Scream, Blackhart Female First Travels with George, Another Shot, Drinktionary, Rebel with a Cause, A Corner of My Heart
NOVEMBER 2017
Opera Now Magazine Adelina (Yvonne Rogers) Writer’s Routine Podcast Rinsed (Gerry Rose) BBC Radio Bristol Ghostly Witnesses (James L Williams) My Chestnut Reading Tree Blog, Love Books Group Blog Angelica Stone (Susi Osborne) Your Kent Wedding Magazine Fire and Honey (C. J. Evans) Cape Argus My Dancing Life (Marina Grut) Dublin South FM Striking Similarities (Kevin Morley) The Teacher Magazine Ben and the Spider Lake (Angela Fish) The Jewish Chronicle Losing Arthur (Paul A. Mendelson) Talk Radio It Shouldn’t Happen to a Hairdresser (Steven Smith) The Church Times Nebuchadnezzar’s Marmalade Pot (Adrian Leak) BBC Radio Oxford Where Peacocks Scream (Valerie Mendes) Frost Magazine The Promise (Sally Jenkins) Talk Radio Europe The Business Path Journal (Peter J. Farmer) Books Monthly Fire and Honey, Killers of the True Holy War, Angelica Stone, The Buzzer, Rinsed, Clash, Ghostly Witnesses, Living with a Jude, Striking Similarities, Man of Two Worlds, Churchill’s Boomers Female First The Indomitable Chiesa Di Santa Maria, Where Peacocks Scream, The Business Path Journal, Mid-Life Crisis, Blackhart, The Nokka
OCTOBER 2017
Kitchen Garden Magazine, My Baba The Vegetable Village Adventures (Suzanne Smith) The Dancing Times My Dancing Life (Marina Grut) Ilkeston Life Blackhart (D. L. Millan) Caffeine Brandfather (John Murphy) BBC Three Counties Radio, The Voice Online, Writers Routine Podcast Losing Arthur (Paul A. Mendelson) Creative Prize Magazine The Promise (Sally Jenkins) Weather eYe Magazine The Weathermen (Gordon Tripp) Charles Harris Review In the Matter of Isabel (Paul A. Mendelson) The Voice Online Man of Two Worlds (Peter Rutt) Made in Birmingham TV Churchill’s Boomers (Ray Evans) SIPTU Journal Striking Similarities (Kevin Morley) Talk Radio Europe In the Matter of Isabel, Random Treasure, Living with a Jude Female First Random Treasure, Knowledge: The Root of All Happiness, The Buzzer, Fire and Honey
SEPTEMBER 2017
Scottish Daily Mail A Captain’s Ransom (Alex Westland) BBC Three Counties Radio Living with a Jude (Alice Soule) Lincolnshire Live, Lincolnshire Today, Gainsborough Standard, Fresh Produce Journal, BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire The Vegetable Village Adventures (Suzanne Smith) Stroud News & Journal Lebensraum 2018 (Ian Muir) BBC Radio Leicester, Groby & Field Spotlight, Creative Prize Magazine Mist (Jason Instrell) Farnham Herald Mules in Military Service (Anthony Clayton) The Echo, Basildon Echo, Southend Echo The Boys from the Bridge (Sebastian Abineri) The Furious Engineer A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier) Promoting Crime Blog Hawk’s Cross (David Collenette) That’s TV Solent, Portsmouth News The Fortunes at War (Tony Foot) Our Town Northwich Angelica Stone (Susi Osborne) Mad House Family Reviews In the Matter of Isabel (Paul A. Mendelson) Sentinel, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Leicester Mercury, Derby Telegraph, Nottingham Post, The Herald, East Anglican Times, Paisley Daily Express, Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, Eastern Daily Press, Daily Post, Coventry Telegraph, Chronicle Newcastle, The Gazette, Western Mail, Canterbury Times, Newmarket Weekly News, Stockport Express, Uttoxeter Advertiser, Ashborne News Telegraph, Billericay and Wickford Gazette, Brentwood Gazette, The Birmingham Post, The Retford Times, Ely News, Heywood Advertiser, Middleton Guardian, Grimsby Telegraph, The Weekly News It Shouldn’t Happen to a Hairdresser (Steven Smith) Talk Radio Europe A Captain’s Ransom (Alex Westland) Female First Angelica Stone, Living with a Jude, Rinsed That’s Books A Captain’s Ransom, Only Human:21st Century Cop (Gemma Hines) Books Monthly No Turning Back, Mist, DP Goes A-Roving, They Were There on the Western Front
AUGUST 2017
Manchester Evening News, Stockport Express, Police History Society Only Human: 21st Century Cop (Gemma Hines) Oswestry Life Magazine, Dartford Messenger, Dover Mercury, East Kent Mercury, Kent Messenger, Kentish Express, Kentish Gazette, Sheerness Times Guardian, Sittingborne News Extra. Whitstable Gazette, Faversham News, Folkstone & Hythe Express, Gravesend Messenger, Medway Messenger Anything is Possible (Rob Osborne) Good on Stroud Lebensraum 2018 (Ian Muir) Pulsar Poetry Magazine, Another Ranting Reader The Metropolis of Glass (Chloe Lee) Blackham Village News Nebuchadnezzar’s Marmalade Pot (Adrian Leak) The Voice A Proclivity to Prurience (Cheryl Butler) Bookbag Angelica Stone (Susi Osborne) Belfast Telegraph, Daily Record, Glasgow Evening Times, Newsletter Northern Ireland, The Northern Echo, The Wrexham Leader It Shouldn’t Happen to a Hairdresser (Steven Smith) RH Uncovered Unto the Skies (K. A. Lalani) Caffeine Brandfather (John Murphy) Royal Navigation News Merchant Seafaring Through World War I (Peter Lyon) South Wales Guardian Adelina (Yvonne Rogers) Talk Radio Europe Only Human: 21st Century Cop (Gemma Hines) Female First Only Human: 21st Century Cop, Lebensraum 2018, Mist, Adelina That’s Books Brandfather, Jackson King and the Morpher’s Heart Books Monthly Legacy of a Duellist, The Theology of Truth, Anything is Possible, Hawk’s Cross
JULY 2017
Weatherclub The Weathermen (Gordon Tripp) Sherlock Holmes Journal Sherlock Holmes: To a County House Darkly (N M Scott) Hawkinge Gazette Anything is Possible (Rob Osborne) Books Ireland Magazine From Small Beginnings (Sean Notyeats) Indian Journal of Urology Under the Knife (Gulzar Mufti) Jewish Telegraph In the Matter of Isabel (Paul A Mendelson) Astronomy Ireland Magazine The Weathermen (Gordon Tripp) The Lady Magazine A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier) Creative Prize Magazine Legacy of a Duellist (T. C. Sutton) Professional Manager Magazine CMI Brandfather (John Murphy) The Teacher Magazine Ben and the Spider Prince (Angela Fish) Baking Bar Review Legacy of a Duellist (T.C. Sutton) The British Fantasy Society Sorak’s Redemption, Actual Reality B-C-ING-U A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier) Female First A Proclivity to Prurience, Anything is Possible, In the Matter of Isabel, Hawk’s Cross That’s Books It’s Not all Rosey, Hawk’s Cross, Unto the Skies
JUNE 2017
The Cricketer Keeping Secrets: A Wicketkeeper’s Handbook (Paul Sullivan) Great Yarmouth Advertiser The Hotel Life of Brian (Brian Wilson) Writing Magazine The War Baby (Andree Rushton) Dogs Monthly & Swimming Times Samson the Super Dog (Sarah Webster) Scottish Herald & The Sunday Post & The Times & Forfar Dispatch & STV News at 6 A Captain’s Ransom (Captain Alex Westland) BBC Radio Solent A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier) Damp Pebbles The Ghost of Bowness (M. J. Evans) Promoting Crime Family Concerns (Stuart Fifield) Brandchannel Brandfather (John Murphy) British Fantasy Society The Key to the Half Worlds (Andrew Chaplin) Young Voices Come Sweet Sexton, Tend My Grave (Eleanor Berry) Bishop’s Waltham News The Fortunes at War (Tony Foot) Somerset County Gazette The Human Ape (Mark Cox) Herald Scotland & Glasgow Herald White Horses (Garfield Taylor) All Together Now Winter’s Leap (Timothy Raine) King’s College London The Metropolis of Glass (Chloe Lee) Dumfries & Galloway Life & Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Network Review Journal Portals of Discovery (Lord George Norrie) Medway Messenger & Sheerness Times Guardian & Sittingborne News Extra Under the Knife (Gulzar Mufti) Arty Apple From Small Beginnings (Sean Notyeats) Female First From Small Beginnings, The First Line Talk Radio Europe Winter’s Leap (Timothy Raine) Books Monthly The Metropolis of Glass, From Small Beginnings That’s Books Come Sing With Me My People, Forgotten in Memory, The King’s Tower Rascal, A Life Lived
MAY 2017
Woman and My Weekly The Choice (Valerie Mendes) Portsmouth News The Fortunes at War (Tony Foot) BBC Radio Norfolk The Hotel Life of Brian (Brian Wilson) BBC Radio Scotland A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier with Andy Merriman) Eastern Daily Press The Hotel Life of Brian (Brian Wilson) East Grinstead Courier and Kent Messenger Mum’s Guide to the University Search (Dagmar Morris) Crawley Observer and Female First Family Concerns (Stuart Fifield) Ismailimail Price Sadruddin Aga Khan: Humanitarian and Visionary (Diana Miserez) Microlight Flying Magazine Unto the Skies (K. A. Lalani) Bookstall Forgotten in Memory (Chloe Grant-Jones) Mojomums A Life Lived (Liz Parker) Sunday Herald A Captain’s Ransom (Captain Alex Westland) Daily Express A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier with Andy Merriman) Talk Radio Europe Jackson King and the Morpher’s Heart (Debbie Hood) Books Monthly A Life Lived, Unto the Skies, Winter’s Leap That’s Books The Hotel Life of Brian
APRIL 2017
Daily Express A Charmed Rock ‘n’ Roll Life (Robin Le Mesurier with Andy Merriman) The Yorker Forgotten in Memory (Chloe Grant-Jones) Nursing Standard Journal Under the Knife (Gulzar Mufti) Chartered Management Institute Brandfather (John Murphy) Fully Booked Redemption of Charm (Frank Westworth) Dumfries Courier Portals of Discovery (Lord George Norrie) Discovering Diamonds Colour Sergeant Chesney V.C. (Steven Baker) That’s Solent TV News The Fortunes at War (Tony Foot) Mystery People To a Country House Darkly (N.M. Scott) East Anglican Times Brandfather (John Murphy) Promoting Crime A Door Marked Hawker (Nigel Milliner) Female First Come Sing With Me My People, A Life Lived Talk Radio Europe A Life Lived, Jackson King and the Morpher’s Heart That’s Books Colour Sergeant Chesney V.C., The Weathermen, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, The Fortunes at War, Sorak’s Redemption, The War Baby, Family Concerns, Samson the Super Dog, Caught in the Act
MARCH 2017
BBC Business Live The Grandfather (John Murphy) ITV News Meridian Under the Knife (Gulzar Mufti) East Grinstead Gazette Jackson King and the Morpher’s Heart (Debbie Hood) Edinburgh Evening New Samson the Super Dog (Sarah E Webster) NE Connected Keeping Secrets: A Wicketkeeper’s Handbook (Paul Sullivan) Discovering Diamonds The War Baby (Andree Rushton) Nursing Times The Rocky Road of Naughty Neurons (Sylvia Bryden-Stock) The Law Society Gazette May It Please You, Madam (Neil Hickman) Female First Winter’s Leap; Jackson King and the Morpher’s Heart; The Audition Room, Caught in the Act, Forgotten in Memory Talk Radio Europe The Audition Room, Unto the Skies, The King’s Tower Rascal, Sorak’s Redemption, Mum’s Guide to the University Search Pirate FM Samson the Super Dog (Sarah E Webster) Freshair Radio The Audition Room (Sharon Sorrentino)
FEBRUARY 2017
York Press Forgotten in Memory (Chloe Grant-Jones) The Irish News Mum’s Guide to the University Search (Dagmar Morris) South Wales Echo Ben and the Spider Lake (Angela Fish) The Times Brandfather (John Murphy) Talk Radio Europe Mum’s Guide to the University Search (Dagmar Morris) Promoting Crime Death in Winter (Ian McFadyen) Books Monthly It’s Not All Rosey; The Weathermen; Sorak’s Redeption; A Country House Darkly; The King’s Tower Rascal; Colour Sergeant Chesney V.C.; Caught in the Act; Forgotten in Memory Female First It’s Not All Rosey; Mum’s Guide to the University Search That’s Books A Country House Darkly (N M Scott)
Media
Catch up with what’s happening on our social media feeds, and find out about the latest authors to publish with The Book Guild… there’s also company news, the latest author events and a round-up of our latest reviews and media coverage.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the best British films of all time
Filming If…. is the first written memoir about the cult classic film, If…., which was directed by the very talented Lindsay Anderson in 1968. David Wood co-starred as one of the three rebel schoolboys in a public school, alongside Malcolm McDowell (Mick) and Richard Warwick (Wallace), and they led the revolution against authority – which was regarded by many as a metaphor for the social and political situation in the UK.
Photo: David Wood, author of “Filming If….” and star of If….
If…. celebrates its 50th anniversary today and this book is a perfect addition to the celebrations for this classic film. The book contains David’s memories, from the personalities involved, the day-to-day challenges, and the reception given to the film, including winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. This book also reflects the brilliance of Lindsay Anderson and his team.
With a foreword by Malcolm McDowell and an afterword by George Perry, Filming If…. has been highly endorsed and enjoyed by many:
“…What a brilliant thing you have done, recalling what it was like being directed by the great Lindsay Anderson, and being part of this hugely important film and its dazzling cast.” – Joanna Lumley OBE
“David Wood has written a wonderfully evocative insider’s view of the shooting of one of the best British films ever made.” – Sir Alan Parker
“If…. is a classic movie – I was at the première in 1968 and we all sensed it then… I’ve a feeling this book’s going to be something of a classic, too.” – Gyles Brandreth
Filming If…. is now available to purchase here.
Ex-Journalist Peter Evans launches his political memoir, Rebel with a Cause
Photo: Peter Evans by Hannah Couzens
Peter Evans recently launched his 12th book, which follows his award-winning career as a journalist on The Times for 30 years. Peter was one of the very few to anticipate both the Brexit vote to leave the European Union and the Tory debacle in the 2017 general election.
Rebel with a Cause exposes, with hard evidence, the complacency and sometimes arrogance which causes the government failure to meet its constitutional priority – to protect the realm and maintain the Queen’s peace. In his career he was hijacked by knife-carrying religious fanatics, threatened with violence by the London Richardson gang, and saved Cardinal Hume, the Roman Catholic leader, in a rock-throwing Notting Hill riot after being attacked himself.
Today, Peter is a frequent commentator on The Times Online and shares his thoughts on current political and social issues. A campaigning journalist, Peter’s book exposes scandals in the National Health Service, and others, including the misuse of power by MI5. It included an intended coup by dissident officers to replace the Prime Minister and intimidation of Evans and others. Leading a six-man news team at The Times, Evans had an aeroplane immediately at his disposal to other disasters and other breaking stories. The book continues his on-going investigation since 1962, to explore the causes of terrorism across the world.
Guests from left to right: Tony Macer, Marion Hearfield and Garry Lloyd
Among those who attended his book launch were Gary Lloyd, whose investigation of corruption in the Metropolitan Police with a colleague, Julian Mounter, sent three policemen to jail and led to a clean up of the force by a new commissioner, Sir Robert Mark. Garry and Julian were both in The Times six-strong team, founded by Peter. Michael Knipe, another news team journalist who was among the first to unmask China’s imperial ambitions also spoke at the launch. Other guests included Marion Hearfield, an author and driving force behind the Stroud Local History Society, and she attended the launch with Tony Macer, who is also part of the society.
Guests from left to right: Sally Pearson, Arianrhod Pazzi-Axworthy and Ann Evans
The event was organised with thanks to Arianrhod Pazzi-Axworthy whose father, George, left his birthplace and Mussolini’s Italy to come to Britain and broadcast news as part of the World Service of the BBC. Sally Pearson is the daughter of Jane Kilvington, a family that has benefited Peter’s for 200 years through education and other support.
Photos at the event were taken by Ann Hall, wife of Frank Hall, a former chief assistant to the head of the International Monetary Fund and senior adviser to the Bank of England. Peter launched the event with a personal speech, which enclosed further details on his research and findings, as well as acknowledgements to those who have helped him along the way. His final words were “in reading this book I would ask you to see the escapades I got up to as a small child in the context of my future campaigning as a journalist I describe. Do we really change?”
Rebel with a Cause is available to purchase and was published on the 28th November 2017.
Peter J. Farmer shares an inspiring blog post to help you to kick-start your dream business
“Are you building your dream?”
A leader once wrote to some of his team that being a “know-it-all” makes us feel important but what is really needed to build a team or project is love.
Love? What’s that got to do with building your dream – you might be asking?
Well love is what makes the world go round…It’s what motivates people to get out of bed in the morning, it’s what compels people to start up businesses and projects when the odds seem stacked against them and it’s the starting place for everything we do. It’s the glue that keeps the very fabric of our society together and what binds people together in families, teams and communities. It’s the key to unlocking purpose, potential and productivity – both personally and amongst teams.
“What do you love?”
As I’ve travelled Europe training entrepreneurs and business owners I’ve started by asking one simple question – what do you love? For some ‘know-it-alls” it appears a strange question!
But in a world that is increasingly communicating through short tweets and statuses and looks to apps and organisers to maximise productivity – could we be overlooking the most powerful force for motivation and change?
As you embark on another year – take a few minutes to ask yourself the question – “What do I love?” and write down your thoughts…
Maybe you’ve grown disillusioned in your current job and are seeking something different? Maybe you’re looking to launch or grow your own business?
Our Newforms Business Path Journal helps people harness their passion and what they love to start up their own business. It’s all about understanding passion and purpose and ‘picturing’ the business and future of your dreams.
What are you passionate about? What do you love?
Build your life, business and dreams around that
Peter J Farmer
Author of the Newforms Business Path Journal
Liz Parker reflects on the year that her book was published
Liz Parker writes a blog post to reflect upon the year in which her memoir, A Life Lived was published:
I am astonished and delighted to have reached my 83rd year. Astonished, because, during my youth and time in the theatre I led a riotous life! This was curtailed when I developed Cancer. I am delighted that I have a few years left to live. When I visited a Palm Leaf Reader in India many years ago, he foretold the year that I would die – I haven’t reached that date yet, so I have a lot of living left to do!
Liz Parker meets visitors at her book signing earlier in the year
I am fortunate to be able to spend most of my time in sunny Greece and have tranquillity, which enables me to think about some ideas for my next book. However, the disadvantages about living in a country where English is not the common language, is that I cannot do book signings to promote my book. I have sold several copies to my English-speaking friends, but the majority of Greeks who have bought my book do not read it immediately. They save it up until they are not busy, when the summer season has finished. One friend dropped their copy in the bath and it’s still drying out.
In England this July I had a successful book signing at a pub in the area where I used to live and was included in my book. On the 23rd January 2018 I will be giving a talk at the Library in West Molesey. This will hopefully bring more interest in A Life Lived.
Reviews of my book have been in the 5-star category, which means that many readers have already appreciated it. My favourite reviews include the following:
“A life fulfilled as well as lived… I couldn’t put it down”
“Liz has a zest for life…what an extraordinary life.”
“…Made me laugh out loud and reach for the tissues.”
A Life Lived: Memories of the Famous and Infamous is available for purchase and shares extraordinary memoirs, which cover a myriad of topics and tragedies. Liz’s memoir is in turns harrowing, uplifting, fascinating and bittersweet. Stories of her flamboyant lifestyle during her time in the theatre and films, where she met famous starts are contrasted sharply by a life of struggle and hardship.
Peter Lyon receives prestigious Mountbatten Maritime Award presented by the First Sea Lord
On Wednesday 8th November 2017, author Peter Lyon received the Maritime Foundation’s “Mountbatten Maritime Award for best literary contribution Certificate of Merit”, at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall. The award was presented to Peter by Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord, and highlighted his great work in his book, Merchant Seafaring Through World War 1, 1914–1918.
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones presents Peter Lyon with the Mountbatten Maritime Award Certificate of Merit for best literary contribution at the Maritime Media Awards 2017 in London on Wednesday, 8th November 2017.
The certificate thanks Peter for his dedicated work seeking to establish not only the contribution of British seafarers during the First World War but also their sacrifice. The British Imperial Mercantile Marine was an essential strategic arm of supply and defence, but the threats, privations and tragedy experienced by British seafarers are here documented through first-hand accounts and archive research. With 3,154 ships sunk and 14,428 lives lost to enemy action, this civilian aspect of maritime history has never been fully presented. This book makes an outstandingly original and disturbing contribution to maritime awareness.
Peter Lyon’s book begins by looking at the low status of the mercantile marine and the seafarers at the turn of the 20th century. Particular emphasis is given to the relationships between the merchant seafarers, the ship owners, the British Admiralty and the Government, with the consequential heavy losses of British, Allied and neutral merchant ships at the hands of German U-boats.Following this, Peter looks at the strain this put on Britain and how this affected their continuation in the war. He draws on various experiences including individuals’ accounts, ships’ logs, crew agreements, consular reports, press cuttings of the day and other publications, to create an authentic and fascinating insight into this area of history.
Merchant Seafaring Through World War 1, 1914–1918 is available to purchase!
Portsmouth’s rich history explored in historical novel
Author Tony Foot reflects on an evening of history with Portsmouth Waterstones…
I was delighted when Waterstones Portsmouth asked me to do a talk about my book, The Fortunes at War to accompany a book signing on Thursday 21st September.
Although much of the action in The Fortunes at War takes place in the Crimea, there are solid links with Portsmouth. It is from there that regiments sailed to the Crimea. Two regiments of the Light Brigade, the 13th Light Dragoons and 17th Lancers left from there, the latter causing quite a stir among the crowds whose numbers were swollen by Easter visitors, as they trotted through the town.
The Rifle Brigade were temporarily housed in the old Clarence Barracks within the original town fortifications, and also set sail on the Orinocco from Portsmouth Harbour. Each year in the 1890s, the mayor of Portsmouth would preside over the St. George’s Day Crimean Veterans Banquet. In 1904 for example, 115 survivors of the conflict attended where no doubt talk of the old campaigns and fallen comrades was very much part of the evening.
I included this in my talk as well as introducing the reign of Victoria as very much part of the change affecting not only the country generally but Portsmouth in particular. Portsmouth has an incredible history – from small Saxon communities, it grew as the potential of its harbour was noted to be one of the strongest most heavily fortified towns anywhere. I relayed to the audience that Portsmouth, in the time of the Fortunes, would in places still be recognisable – including the Round Tower, Southsea Castle and HMS Victory (the latter in the harbour rather than in dry-dock as now).
It was back to Portsmouth where many regiments returned including the Rifle Brigade. I informed the audience that among the survivors, was not only one of my book’s heroes, but my own great-grandfather, who would later settle in the town and attend those special banquets.
I was pleased that several of the audience members remained behind and offered their thanks for such an ‘interesting and informative’ evening, and the staff at the branch were also very complimentary with their comments over the way the evening had gone.
The Fortunes at War is available to buy from our bookshop.
When Freedom Fails by Sean Notyeats
In celebration of National Poetry Day, Sean Notyeats shares a poem called “When Freedom Fails”:
Sing a song of silence
For those about to die
Now no chance of seeing
Earth or sea or sky
Sing a song of silence
For those that ne’re were born
Never reached their mother’s breast
As from her body torn
Sing a song of silence
For the zealot with no eyes
Devoid of all compassion
For all those wasted lives
Sing a song of silence
For the child a soldier made
A pawn in power politics
His being now depraved
Sing a song of silence
For faith enforced by power
And the plight of the apostates
For whom all relations sour
Ring aloud redemption
Truth will find a way
Time will be the healer
Society will still pay
Sean Notyeats is the author of From Small Beginnings– a debut poetry collection!
Choices by Mark Cox
In celebration of National Poetry Day, Mark Cox shares a poem called “Choices”:
Make your own choices
Is how we all should be
Whether you have millions
Or live your life in poverty
The decisions that you make
Are only a chance really
But the right to make them
Is the thing that makes you free
If you don’t have this chance
Then you may not be free
Unless you were being guided
When you were only tiny
To be loved and protected
When you were more carefree
Helps you to not make mistakes
And learn more responsibility
But if you get to adult age
And choices are stopped constantly
Then you are being repressed
And being denied your humanity
A human should not be enslaved
Either physically or mentally
We should all have our freedom
No one should stop us being free
Mark Cox is the author of The Human Ape: A Magnificently Minute Moment – a debut poetry collection!
Freedom by Chloe Lee
In celebration of National Poetry Day, Chloe Lee shares a poem called “Freedom”:
“Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness”. – Alejandro Jodorowsky
Steadfastly, stubbornly,
The prized nightingale stood
Behind the open window,
Shaking its fine, groomed head.
Its saviour, harbinger of freedom,
Flapped its wings continually,
Allowing the winds to exhibit
A few escaped feathers
A reminder of higher values,
Other than panem et circenses.
In a desperate, final attempt,
The dove dragged the nightingale
Away from its captivity,
Right into the open air,
A triumphant, proud expression
Gliding across its face, though
Almost immediately frozen in horror
As it realised, when the nightingale
Peacefully laid permanently
On the few scattered white feathers, that
Not every one might be the same.
Chloe Lee is the author of The Metropolis of Glass – a debut poetry collection!
Winning a publishing contract with The Book Guild
To complete a novel is one thing but it is not the end of things; there is still a very long way to go before the first reader reads the first copy.
PAUL BEATTY – PRIZE WINNER
Children of Fire was envisaged as a possible first novel in a series, though I tended not to admit to that aspect of its creation. Having self-published the sci-fi novel I wrote on my MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, I wanted to get on and write another. I chose a Victorian who-done-it genre for the job and picked 1841, in the period when new local police forces were being formed along the lines of the Metropolitan Police Force in London. 1841 was far enough back to mean that I wouldn’t be tempted to get bogged down in CSI style detail. As a retired research scientist, too much scientific detail would probably mean the story would never see the light of day.
What the 1840s had in abundance was a hubbub of social change: in industry, religion and immigration from the countryside or from Ireland, into the cities of the North of England, especially Manchester, the first truly industrialized city in the world.
My first step in getting Children of Fire published was to try to find an agent to help me finish, perfect and sell my creation to a publisher. I made many approaches and got a few comments as well as a lot of silence.
As time went on I decided that I might be better to go along the route of crowd funding. I had completed the first draft of a second Victorian novel Circles of Deceit. So perhaps I should move on but at that point I noticed the Writing Magazine competition and thought it was worth a shot. I had a complete novel that had been copy edited, and I had the marketing plan that I’d already developed for the attempt at crowd funding. I could easily fulfil the terms of the competition which included a marketing plan.
To my astonishment I won! The astonishment was not so much in the sense of belief in what I’d written, but in being able to finish the race. Children of Fire was going to be published! I’ve been walking around since I found out with a sort of glow and the mantra running in my head I’ve got a publishing contract.
I will now see how it goes. Relationships with Writing Magazine are excellent, helped in no small measure by my experience of self-publishing. I met the Editor, Jonathan Telfer, at the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School who was warm and friendly. Working relationships with The Book Guild are developing well and are already very good. The cover design is agreed, the final proofs very nearly complete and publicity is taking shape.
I am deeply grateful for my good fortune. Without the combination of the Writing Magazine and The Book Guild putting on the competition, I would not have got this chance.
It might seem that I’ve been lucky, and I have to say that I have been, but as I used to tell my PhD students, luck is really preparation meeting opportunity. Winning this prize has been a matter of great good fortune in exactly that sense.
Children of Fire will be published by The Book Guild on 28 November 2017!