James’ Weblog

Radio Nottingham have recently got in contact about appearing on a morning show. I hope to do this soon. It will be good to discuss the frustration of waiting years to get that first novel out on the shelves and the endless unpaid observations which have appeared on the printed page…

Regarding journalism, I recently got this lovely polite put down from John Harvey (90 publications under the belt and a Notts County fan). I needed an interview for the next edition of Leftlion and rather aptly ‘left’ it to the last minute. A day before my deadline in fact. Having met John at the recent Lowdham Crime Festival he agreed to do an interview (a lovely man I should add with an ace autograph). This was brilliant news as in a similar fashion to Sillitoe, he’s really put Nottingham on the map.

Anyway, here it is:

Crikey !

Talk about leaving it till the last moment!

I’m leaving for Cornwall at some Godforsaken hour in the morning and have most of today already spoken for, so, much as I would love to follow up the Guardian with Left Lion, there’s no way I can deal with James’ questions at such short notice.

I should hasten to add that he has kindly put aside some time which I’m really looking forward to. You know you’ve made it as a writer when you later add that you will not be answering emails or phonecalls between particular dates. How I would one day love to be in that enviable position

I am delighted, relieved and excited to announce Route liked the second edit of This is all I Know. I was pretty ruthless with it, taking it from a story set over four seasons to one split into three parts. There will be more carnage to follow. It was very interesting to hear Ian Daley’s comments and his synopsis of the book. Although you have intentions when writing a novel, often people pick up on other aspects or point out elements which you did not always consider. This isn’t to say those thoughts weren’t there, they were just vying for attention with the nine million other ideas. It’s a curious process having someone dissect your work, a bit like someone discussing your sexual prowess or similarly embarrassing scenario. Anyway, there is more work to be done and I hope to meet up with Ian over the next few months. This book must be my priority having worked on it for so long on it. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait. Hopefully, soon it will be real.