FAQ
Will you look at something I've written?
Although I do occasionally review published books, I cannot review "in progress" pastiche or non-fiction pieces. Nor can I offer (which has been occasionally requested) a canonical appraisal (i.e. read your work and advise on canon accuracy etc.) I lack the time for such things, and if I had the time it would certainly be something I would charge for.
Although I do occasionally review published books, I cannot review "in progress" pastiche or non-fiction pieces. Nor can I offer (which has been occasionally requested) a canonical appraisal (i.e. read your work and advise on canon accuracy etc.) I lack the time for such things, and if I had the time it would certainly be something I would charge for.
Please note also that I will only review electronic editions of books. I do not have the space to accept physical copies. So, if you are not able/willing to supply an electronic (i.e. PDF) copy of your book, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. I do understand the concern some authors have about the possibility of such a file being forwarded, but I cannot make exceptions.
I would also add that if you don't think you can trust me, I'm fairly sure you wouldn't want my review :-)
Can you help me with Sherlock Holmes or Arthur Conan Doyle research for my book or paper?
I'm afraid the answer is, no. I simply don't have the time to accommodate such requests. All I know about Holmes and Doyle is contained in my books. Please consult them for the answers to your questions (and properly credit me, of course).
Will you sign something for me?
If we happen to meet an at event, I will sign any copies of my books that you have with you.
Will you advertise on your blog?
I am open to working with third-parties to promote products or events. However, proposals must be relevant and I will declare what I am being offered to participate unless barred by a legal agreement.
When did you become interested in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle?
I "found" Holmes when I was 8 years old. My mother was watching The Scarlet Claw and I became captivated. The interest that began with the Rathbone films continued with me eventually reading the books.
The interest in Arthur Conan Doyle came along a lot more gradually. Initially I had very little interest in him but, as time moved on, he became more and more interesting to me with the result that I have now written three mini-biographies of him.
Who is your favourite Sherlock Holmes?
Jeremy Brett - which I know is controversial in light of the BBC's Sherlock series. Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes is very good and I love the show immensely but the ultimate Holmes accolade can only go to one that lives in Victorian England.
Which of your books is your favourite?
They are all important to me in their own way. Eliminate the Impossible because it was my first; Close to Holmes because it is my most commercially successful and was short-listed for the 2010 Tony & Freda Howlett Award; The Norwood Author because it won the same award in 2011 and because it adds a lot of information to our collective knowledge of Arthur Conan Doyle. I am naturally very fond of An Entirely New Country as I consider it one of my best works and something that has hopefully aided the cause of saving Undershaw.
My last book No Better Place, which I was convinced I'd never write, is important to me as it takes us from the Undershaw days right up to Arthur Conan Doyle's death. En route it tackles the thorny issue of Spiritualism.
Why do you moderate comments on your blog?
Some time ago the blog became a target for spammers. Every day I was having to remove comments from companies trying to advertise themselves or bizarre comments I couldn't even understand. I know Blogger has anti-spam functionality now but you cannot guarantee that things won't slip through.
Therefore if you make a comment you may have to wait a couple of days before it appears. Please don't post things more than once. Thank you.
Do you have any rules for comments?
I do have some rules that determine whether or not comments get published.
Will you sign something for me?
If we happen to meet an at event, I will sign any copies of my books that you have with you.
Will you advertise on your blog?
I am open to working with third-parties to promote products or events. However, proposals must be relevant and I will declare what I am being offered to participate unless barred by a legal agreement.
When did you become interested in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle?
I "found" Holmes when I was 8 years old. My mother was watching The Scarlet Claw and I became captivated. The interest that began with the Rathbone films continued with me eventually reading the books.
The interest in Arthur Conan Doyle came along a lot more gradually. Initially I had very little interest in him but, as time moved on, he became more and more interesting to me with the result that I have now written three mini-biographies of him.
Who is your favourite Sherlock Holmes?
Jeremy Brett - which I know is controversial in light of the BBC's Sherlock series. Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes is very good and I love the show immensely but the ultimate Holmes accolade can only go to one that lives in Victorian England.
Which of your books is your favourite?
They are all important to me in their own way. Eliminate the Impossible because it was my first; Close to Holmes because it is my most commercially successful and was short-listed for the 2010 Tony & Freda Howlett Award; The Norwood Author because it won the same award in 2011 and because it adds a lot of information to our collective knowledge of Arthur Conan Doyle. I am naturally very fond of An Entirely New Country as I consider it one of my best works and something that has hopefully aided the cause of saving Undershaw.
My last book No Better Place, which I was convinced I'd never write, is important to me as it takes us from the Undershaw days right up to Arthur Conan Doyle's death. En route it tackles the thorny issue of Spiritualism.
Why do you moderate comments on your blog?
Some time ago the blog became a target for spammers. Every day I was having to remove comments from companies trying to advertise themselves or bizarre comments I couldn't even understand. I know Blogger has anti-spam functionality now but you cannot guarantee that things won't slip through.
Therefore if you make a comment you may have to wait a couple of days before it appears. Please don't post things more than once. Thank you.
Do you have any rules for comments?
I do have some rules that determine whether or not comments get published.
- The comment must be pertinent to the post and add to the discussion.
- The comment must not be commercial (i.e. advertising). This includes links so don't put them in your comments.
- The comment must not be abusive (either about me or anyone else who has commented) or show a lack of respect. Disagree by all means but be civil.
- A comment will not be published if I decide that the comments chain for a given post has reached its natural conclusion. This is akin to locking a discussion on a forum.
- The comment must not break the law.
- The submitter of a comment must be contactable and identifiable. This is in case I need to query any aspect of your comment before making the decision about whether or not to publish. This rule also exists for those instances where a person creates a blogger (or other) profile purely to comment and then deletes it or locks it down preventing contact/identification.
