HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wishing you all a fantastic 2008.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wishing you all a fantastic 2008.
Happy Holidays!
Whatever it is you’ll be celebrating, I wish you a wonderful time.
And Another
…fave that is.
Faves
The subject of favourite books/films/best of the year things has come up a number of times recently so I thought I’d list mine here.
Here goes…
Book of the Year for Adults: Something Beginning With, Sarah Salway.
I also loved The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly, and American Gods, Neil Gaiman.
Book of the Year for Children: Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure, Adrienne Kress.
And the wonderful Love That Dog, Sharon Creech.
Film of the Year for Adults: Pan’s Labyrinth.
Film of the Year for Children (and almost for adults as well): Stardust.
Song of the Year: Release Me, Oh Laura. And American Girl, Tom Petty.
Best Piece of Music Discovered: That wonderful Biber solo piece the lovely Kate sent me.
Year’s Best Telly: Scrubs and The Bad Mother’s Handbook.
Read All About It
Thanks to Amy from the Heywood Advertiser for sending me this, a wee picture story of my visit and library opening a couple of weeks back.
***
I’m still struggling a bit with this blinkin’ cold. It’s done my nose and chest and has now nestled in my throat. I hope to be better, and with a clearer head, very soon. There is much writing needs doing.
***
I’ve mentioned the terrific Vulpes Libris site before (it’s one of those sites I must check at least once a week) and am happy to be able to point you their way again. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rosy’s article on favourite (picture) books earlier. Well worth checking out, folks.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Nik Perring would like to place on record his complete dissatisfaction in having a cold. He does not enjoy them, nor does he see their point. Or worth. In fact, he thinks they’re an inconvenient nuisance.
He would also like to say that he has not let it get on top of him. He did not let it stop him winning at squash the other night (huzzahhhh!) nor has it been able to stop him from writing. Well, not too much. A little perhaps.
Most importantly it did not stop him from attending Lower Park’s production of the Wizard of Oz on Thursday. It did not stop him thinking that it was terrific either, or enjoying himself very, very much. Fab sets, fab acting, fab dances, fab night. Well done everyone.
In spite of his cold Nik has also been watching this a lot. And singing it a lot. He might have even danced to it earlier. Ding dong…
Quack
I’m still beavering away here – writing, writing, writing. And listening often to an incredible Biber solo piece (THANK YOU KATE for sending it me!).
***
I was out with two thirds of Rambo and Leroy last week and was able to hear a couple of their new tracks. They sounded great. (Actually this was from their Special Project and as I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say about it I’ll have to say nothing for the time being…)
***
Yesterday I went for a coffee with my beloved. We went to a cafe by a canal and we saw something quite unexpected – a mandarin among some mallards. What brilliant colours! Gorgeous. It was nice to see that the mallards seemed to have adopted him as their own. You never know, they might have just fancied him.
And of course, happy anniversary, Liz.
New Website!
I think I can now say that I’m happy with my new website. It’s live and it’s launched and, as far as I can tell, it’s up to date. (I still can’t get the old one to delete though, grumble, grumble.) Feel free to have a nosy and to tell me what you think. I especially like the new shop page because it gives people the opportunity to order signed, personalised copies of my book at no extra charge.
***
The new issue of Twisted Tongue is now out, which is good if you’re a fan of horror. It’s also good for me as one of my stories is in it.
***
And if only all the rejections I received were like this one (nicked from the fabulously princessy Sarah Salway’s blog):
“We have read your manuscript with boundless delight. If we were to publish your paper, it would be impossible for us to publish any work of a lower standard. And as it is unthinkable that in the next thousand years we shall see its equal we are to our regret compelled to return your divine composition and beg you a thousand times to overlook our short sight and timidity.”
I Love my Job #2
(photo courtesy of Amy Glendinning – The Heywood Advertiser)