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I've been discovered!
On Twitter I have just gained one of the QI 'Elves' as a follower. I wonder if they tracked me down in preparation for series 'H'?
Debut at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel
Yesterday I gave my debut talk on Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle to a travel group. This group, charmingly described by their own tour leader as 'ancient', consisted of approximately twenty retired ladies and one gentleman. At a guess the ages ranged from just over sixty all the way to the mid-nineties.
I, along with representatives of the organisation who had 'hired' me, began by mingling and exchanging easy conversation before sitting down to a less than stunning buffet lunch. Predictably, some of the diners had issues with the food and service and I spent most of the time cornered by two Swiss ladies who, fortunately, were charming company.
At 1.45pm I was 'interviewed' Wogan-style and spent about 45 mins giving them countless items of useful information about Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle, Victorian London and even a few tit bits on Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple (Lord knows how we ended up on them). My talk, upon conclusion, was greeted with reassuring applause.
Then we got down to the business end of the day - selling my book. Tight so-and-sos only bought six copies between them. The royalties on those (before tax) will just about cover the cost of my travel. There's precious little glamour in being an author.
P.S. One lady fell asleep during my talk. However I keep telling myself this was due to the combination of stodgy food and oppressive heat rather than my wonderful voice.
I, along with representatives of the organisation who had 'hired' me, began by mingling and exchanging easy conversation before sitting down to a less than stunning buffet lunch. Predictably, some of the diners had issues with the food and service and I spent most of the time cornered by two Swiss ladies who, fortunately, were charming company.
At 1.45pm I was 'interviewed' Wogan-style and spent about 45 mins giving them countless items of useful information about Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle, Victorian London and even a few tit bits on Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple (Lord knows how we ended up on them). My talk, upon conclusion, was greeted with reassuring applause.
Then we got down to the business end of the day - selling my book. Tight so-and-sos only bought six copies between them. The royalties on those (before tax) will just about cover the cost of my travel. There's precious little glamour in being an author.
P.S. One lady fell asleep during my talk. However I keep telling myself this was due to the combination of stodgy food and oppressive heat rather than my wonderful voice.
High praise indeed
This is a quote from the email of a member of the SHSL upon finishing reading my draft.
I am, predictably, rather pleased.
"Please accept my congratulations on another admirable book! Most of us, I suspect, weren't really aware of the missing chapter in our knowledge of Arthur Conan Doyle's life. You recognised that there was a blank patch on the canvas, and you've completed the portrait. Your achievement merits the terms that Francois le Villard applied to Holmes's work - Magnifique! Coup-de-maitre! Tour-de-force!"
I am, predictably, rather pleased.
Recap of my books so far
This is my latest book 'The Norwood Author' which is released in March 2010. It is a biographical look at the life of Arthur Conan Doyle between the years 1891-1894 when he was resident in Norwood, South London.
All of my books are obtainable via Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble and many other outlets.
A flurry of activity
As reported below, I received some comments back from one of my unofficial editors. All of the comments were excellent and I have nearly worked my way through them all. Phew! "The Norwood Author" is shaping up to be my best book to-date. This is quite a tall order as my most recently published book "Close to Holmes" is my publisher's best selling in the genre (or so he tells me).
However an inconsistency has appeared between some sources I have used and I need to investigate. So this weekend I shall be stuck in the library getting a headache (courtesy of the microfilm reader). I need to compare three newspapers from 1892 and see which one is correct.
Then I need to prepare like crazy for my talk on Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel. This takes place on November 10th and has been organised by Living Literature. It's a closed event, I'm afraid, for a set group of tourists but I hope it will lead to further such events in the future.
However an inconsistency has appeared between some sources I have used and I need to investigate. So this weekend I shall be stuck in the library getting a headache (courtesy of the microfilm reader). I need to compare three newspapers from 1892 and see which one is correct.
Then I need to prepare like crazy for my talk on Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel. This takes place on November 10th and has been organised by Living Literature. It's a closed event, I'm afraid, for a set group of tourists but I hope it will lead to further such events in the future.
The book is back
Well I have received my manuscript back along with some comments. I shall be working my way through them over the course of this week. Then it'll be ready to go.
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