It’s out

Why is it that publication day is always such a damp squib? Well, here it is: The Islanders is finally out in the world. Celebrations began shortly after 8:30 am with a bowl of Special K and a cup of … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

No Thing Doing

I have already mentioned on this site that I should be appearing at QUAD in Derby on Wednesday 14th September (i.e. tomorrow, as I write). I regret to say this has been cancelled at short notice. It was to be … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Done Proper

The present incarnation of this website began in October 2010, when I was relieved to report that I had at last delivered the MS of my novel, The Islanders. In fact I had sent it in during August, cunningly coinciding … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Rob’s Oak

To Victory Wood, near Whitstable in Kent, to visit the oaken bench and newly planted oak tree to commemorate the life and work of our friend, Rob Holdstock. Rob died unexpectedly at the end of 2009, leaving a gap in … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Things Update, updated

See Things Update, below. In an earlier post I got the date wrong. The event in Derby at QUAD is on the 14th September, not as shown before. All other details remain the same. Sorry. (Belated thought: good job I … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Covered

Here at last is the final version of the Gollancz cover of The Islanders. The artist is Grady McFerrin. Meanwhile, complimentary copies of ‘hand-crafted’ bookmarks, based on images from the novel, are still obtainable. Any GrimGrin book ordered through this … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Things Update

Currently confirmed CP appearances in the near future: 14th September – QUAD, Derby. See the QUAD / Creative Boom website for more information. An “Evening with CP”: at 7:00 pm a reading from new novel The Islanders, followed by an … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

When J. G. Ballard met Keith Roberts

In today’s Guardian G2 supplement, Chris Hall has an article about the opening of the J. G. Ballard archive at the British Library. Fascinating stuff. (For link, see below.) Part of Hall’s argument is that there is little insight in … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Mes Amis

Today is Bastille Day, La Fête Nationale. The French celebrate in style, notably with a military parade down the Champs Elysées. When I was a child I would see film of this on television and think they were celebrating my … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off

Matt Laminate and the Spots

The cover of The Islanders has finally been agreed between myself and Gollancz, a matter of some relief to both sides. An earlier version of the illustration has been popping up on the internet, and Amazon.co.uk have put a version … Continue reading

Posted in Journal | Comments Off