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Monthly Archives: April 2016

All the info you need for the Llandeilo Book Fair 2016 – TODAY!

30 Saturday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

#LlandeiloBookFair, books, Wales

All the info you need for the Llandeilo Book Fair 2016

Event time table and Programme

Book Fair held today on Saturday April 30th 2016
at Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall Trust, Llandeilo
10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Crescent Road, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire SA19 6HN
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10:30 Judith Arnopp: talk on Tudor History

11:00 Blogger Hugh Roberts reading from “Last Train To Aldwych, a ghost/time-travel story. 11:00

11:30: Sharon Tregenza: a fun, interactive workshop with games for parents and younger children which would include prizes. 

12:20 Will Macmillan Jones  reading for children

12:50 Announcement of Short Story Competition Winner (main hall) 

13:00 Judith Barrow (workshop for adults) about building characters in short stories and novels

As well as talking about how to form characters, Judith will have handouts, and there’ll be short writing exercises. Around half and hour to three quarters in duration.

14:00 Wendy Steele talk about ‘Fantasy and Magical Realism’

14:30 Carol Lovekin reading from her novel “Ghostbird”

15:00 Olga Núñez Miret  talk about translations

15:30 Julie McGowan reading from one of her novels set in Wales

16:00 Q&A with panel of authors for aspiring writers

16:30 Raffle draw (main hall)

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“Punk Rocker” Anthology – Interview with Christoph Fischer

29 Friday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

anthology, Billy Idol, Brenda Perlin, Generation X, Iggy Pop, memoirs, memories, music, Punk, Punk Rocker, punkers, The Clash, The Damned

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As some of you already know, I’ve contributed to an anthology called PUNK ROCKER, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology.

In the next few weeks, leading up to the release on May 15th, I will introduce the other authors who are in on the project. Today I am introducing myself.

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How did you get involved in the PUNK ROCKER project?

I’m a huge fan of Brenda Perlin’s writing, and downloaded L.A. Punk Rocker as soon as it was released. The book unexpectedly stirred a lot of forgotten memories and latent emotions in me. This was still going on when I saw her call for entries to the sequel a few months ago. I couldn’t help myself and composed two stories. I am over the moon that they were selected for the anthology.

Without giving too much away, tell us about your short story for the anthology.

One is about my admiration for punks, rockers and all who dared to be different and speak up. The other one is about a wicked night I had in my student days, also in the company of Punks. They are true stories.12987033_971613246285778_5388308485288504926_n

Can you explain what Punk means to you? Do you have any more memories you would like to share with us?

Punk is a lifestyle and an attitude that manifests itself outwardly in fashion and music and inwardly in a powerful mental state against the establishment and outdated conventions. I drifted towards the political end of the spectrum rather the nihilistic one. Every generation needed their rebels and the punks were ours. I loved them.

What are your favorite Punk Acts, Albums and Songs?

The Cure, P.I.L., Billy Idol and – if I may count her in – Cindy Lauper.

Why type of fiction do you normally write? Tell us about the concept behind your books?lrg poster horiz (1)

I write mostly historical fiction, (sometimes heavy) contemporary dramas and a few thrillers. I’m interested in deeper subjects, such as Alzheimers’, mental health, wars, displacement and identity.

Tell us about one of your main characters. What makes them special?

Zacharias Nielsen is an 18year old idealist who leaves the safety of his family in Denmark to fight for the radical left in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He’s special because he leaves material wealth behind to fight for a better future for all, rather than his own betterment.

Who would you cast to play him in a movie?images (1) 

Josh Hutchinson (since Ewan McGregor outgrew the age for the role)In Search of a Revolution by Christoph Fischer. Out on 26th March

Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?

I’m a bit like all of my characters, I guess. When I try to understand them and their actions, some kind of projection can probably not be helped. Even when they do things I don’t do, they do it like I would be doing it if I did.

What do you do when you don’t write?

Walk my dogs, cycle, do yoga, watch comedy TV and read.

What makes you laugh?

Silly comedy programmes, adolescent humour.

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

Brenda Perlin, Billy Idol and some of the long lost friends from my stories.

What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?

Best: Thoughtfulness.
Oddest: My taste in music

What would you chose as those qualities?

Best: Loyalty
Oddest: My sleeping pattern

Who are your favourite authors?

Lionel Shriver, Christos Tsiolkas, Khaled Hosseini, Brett Easton Ellis, Paulette Mahurin, P.C. Zick, Murielle Cyr, Brenda Perlin, John Dolan, Tony Gilbert, Ian Hutson, Richard Yates, Anne Tyler…

What is your favourite book?
Shantaram

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

“Lights of Polaris” by Melodie Ramone – e-book. It‘s brilliant!

What are you working on now? 

I’m working on a silly murder mystery set in the UK countryside. I’m also involved in a charity project for a No Kill Shelter: The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Centre. My novel: “African August” will be part of a box set in aid of the shelter. The story revolves around a young banker and his adventures in Uganda. It is based on some of my travel experiences on the continent.

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 12360399_10153067444957132_5703419004838921262_n

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and ‘The Black Eagle Inn’ in October 2013 – which completes his ‘Three Nations Trilogy’. “Time to Let Go”, his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Interview with Vanessa Wester

28 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

A new blogger based in South Wales – fellow indie writer Greg Thomas – discovered the Evolution Trilogy by Vanessa Wester, Here’s his 5 star review, which I couldn’t agree more with.

Animal Shelter #charity Post: “The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap” by Paulette Mahurin

28 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

animal shelter, charity, no kill, Paulette Mahurin, Santa Paula Animal Recue Center, SPARC, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

logo-mainI’m currently collaborating with several great authors on a project in aid of the Santa Paula ‘No Kill’ Animal Rescue Center. 
While our project is getting off the ground, let me introduce you to Paulette Mahurin, who got us all on to this idea through her own generosity and kind nature. All profits from her bestseling and award winning book “The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap”

https://thepersecutionofmildreddunlap.wordpress.com

go to help The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center: SPARC: http://www.santapaulaarc.org/

Buy a book – save a life!

http://www.amazon.com/Persecution-Mildred-Dunlap-Paulette-Mahurin-ebook/dp/B008K9DV4U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407164255&sr=8-1&keywords=the+persecution+of+mildred+dunlap

Buy a book – save a life! 

SPARC is the first and only no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County, CA.

In June 2011, Santa Paula became “host” to the first and only no kill animal shelter in the Ventura County, providing humane care and treatment for the stray and abandoned animals of the city as well as educational, spay/neuter, vaccination, licensing and other services. Pet over population is a community problem and SPARC presents a humane, community-based solution.download

A women’s Brokeback Mountain. The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; the United States expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine to cover South America; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

ALL PROFITS GOING TO the first and only no-kill animal shelter in Ventura County, CA., Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center.  http://www.santapaulaarc.org/

TV interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwTwJdwfLRQ

Press release: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/sep/08/ojai-authors-historical-novel-teaches-tolerance/ Paulette

Bio: Paulette Mahurin, an award-winning best selling author, is a Nurse Practitioner who lives in Ojai, California with her husband Terry and their three dogs–Max, Bella, and Lady. She practices women’s health in a rural clinic and writes in her spare time. She is an animal advocate and has been involved with dog rescue, along with her husband, for the past twenty-eight years.

All new friends and visitors are welcome. Have a look around and please feel free to enter the conversations.

Again from my heart, thank you and all involved in shining a light on this shelter’s
incredible work in a community that has near to a million residents.

#WordlessWednesday ~ Views from Conwy #Castle #Photography #Wales

27 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

Welsh Wednesdays: Wales

Come and Visit Llandeilo Book Fair 2016

27 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Come and Visit Llandeilo Book Fair 2016

I’m taking part in my first Book Fair on Saturday 30th April
in the picturesque town of Llandeilo in beautiful West Wales

The Last Krystallos

I’m taking part in my first Book Fair on Saturday 30th April
in the picturesque town of Llandeilo in beautiful West Wales

llandeilo book fair 2016Llandeilo is a gorgeous setting close to Aberglasney Gardens andGelli Aur in the pretty Tywi Valley. So if you’re local or at a loose end this Saturday and fancy finding some new books by some great authors, then pop along and meet us. We’ll be very pleased to see you!

Llandeilo-book-fair-set-up-practise

I’ve spent some time planning my table and set up, especially as I haven’t done this before, and I think I’m ready!

llandeilo book fair 2016, lisa shambrook, bookmarks, banner, business cards, the hope within novels,

I’ll be there with paperback copies of my Hope Within series. Beneath the Rainbow, Beneath the Old OakandBeneath the Distant Star. There will be free bookmarks and business cards for the Hope Within novels and you can see some props from Beneath the Rainbow too.

lisa shambrook books, hope within novels, amaranth alchemy, bookspine bookmarks, bookpage bookmarks,

We’ll also be selling

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Welsh Wednesdays Interview with Will Macmillan Jones

27 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

fwrness 2As some of you may know, this coming Saturday I’ll be at the Llandeilo Book Fair. Who better to feature on the Welsh Wednesdays series today than one of the participating authors: Will MacMillan Jones. Welcome to Welsh Wednesdays and thank you for participating.

First up, please tell us about your connection to Wales.

Hi Christoph, thanks for inviting me along. I’ve lived in Wales for almost twenty years now, and couldn’t be happier being here. I’ve always felt drawn to this wonderful land of myth and magic (and beer) since I was a child, and living here is almost like living in a dream. Everywhere you turn are more tales, more legends; cunning and deceitful fae, witches of various persuasions, and almost every lake has a resident Lady blessed with magical powers. Oh and dragons. I’m a fantasy writer – where else in the UK could I want to live?  And on a more prosaic note, family lore has it that a distant ancestor had to flee the righteous wrath of the law for sheep stealing. Don’t look at me like that, I’m a vegetarian!

Tell us a little about yourself as writer and as person.  412p6QXt+XL._UY250_

I’ve already confessed to being vegetarian and liking the local beers – what more do you need to know? Well, I thoroughly enjoy getting high.  No, not like that. Why do people always think the worst about fantasy writers? We need to be declared a protected minority or something. I like to be on high ground, so I do a lot of walking in the fells, mountains and hills around Britain. The other year I managed to go up Snowden by mistake. It wasn’t the first time I’ve climbed the mountain of course, but I actually hadn’t meant to when I set off that day. I wanted to get some photos with a new camera, and just kept on getting a bit higher, and a bit higher; and suddenly the top was closer than the bottom so I sort of carried on… I’ve also done a lot of flying, particularly in hang gliders when I was younger.  In fact (a little known fact), I was one of the first people in the UK to fly a hang glider at night. Under a bright full moon, of course. I’m not doing a lot for the reputation of fantasy writers here as sane and rational people, am I? Oh dear. I also do quite a lot of poetry and traditional story telling as spoken word performances, which is great for the confidence.

Why did you decide to write in your chosen genre(s)? 41O3yzay2hL._UY250_

Let me see: I write fantasy, horror and children’s fantasy. I once read this advice that said: ‘write what you know’. Oh dear, again. I like writing these, because most of my favourite books are in these genres.  First was fantasy of course, because I revel in the complete freedom it gives a writer’s imagination to create stories. Children’s – because there are few better things to do with your time than stimulate a child’s imagination and love of books and stories, and horror because; well, I do have a dark side and I am enjoying letting it out… I do have some plans to venture into romance, but that might end up back in the horror genre if I’m not too careful.  Back to writing what you know, I suppose!

Tell us about the concept behind your book(s).

I’m really lucky. Ideas are not an issue for me.  I have around fourteen outlines for books in my moleskine notebook, and I’m always adding to them. There’s a bit of advice – always carry a notebook, and do not be afraid to use it. The idea might be rubbish, but you just never know. I do have favourite characters, a couple anyway, but I can’t even let on who they are in thought in case the others hear and complain. Or sulk. And yes, there is a character I do identify with.  He’s a bit more complex than some realise, and yet – as there’s a lot of me in there too – he’s also a very simple soul. He’s on one of the book covers, which narrows it down a bit for you, but I’m not saying any more than that.  Music plays a big part in my fantasy collection, The Banned Underground.  It has too, since the stories are about a rock and roll band made up of dwarfs and a jazz loving, saxophone playing, luminous green BogTroll. This of course means that I get to do my research for those novels whilst drinking in a noisy bar listening to loud music. I like to think that Hemingway and Greene would have approved of that.

What are the best and the worst aspects of writing?

Best aspects: sitting all day at the desk and just making stuff up.  Worst aspects: sitting all day at the desk when it is sunny and warm outside and I’d rather be walking my dog on a hill somewhere. Writing is a solitary business; we spend much of our waking time locked inside our own heads with imaginary characters yelling at us. The solitude after writing can be difficult when, as I do, you live alone.

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How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

This, in all seriousness, is possibly the hardest task facing any writer today. Even the celebrity writers and the well-known authors have to market in various ways. I know of one author who won a contract with Random House for his first book, didn’t promote it well and didn’t get a contract for his second book. If we do not promote, we do not sell. That is the bald fact. Now I am actually quite a shy person (stop laughing, you at the back. I can see you.) and self promotion doesn’t come easily to me. I have to work at it. I’ve even started performing work in public now as a sort of therapy to help me overcome this issue.  Social network marketing and book events like the Llandeilo book fair all help, and a writer just has to get stuck in I’m afraid.

Who are your editors and how do you quality control your books? I’ve been lucky really. Ever since I first got a contract I’ve understood all about editors, what they do and why they are needed. Now that I’m a hybrid author ( some work self published, some published under contract) I’ve always maintained a small network of half a dozen trusted BETA readers and two quality professional editors. The second draft of the novel goes first to the BETA readers, then to one of the professional editors, then back to BETA readers; being tweaked a bit at each stage. It can be a long process and both dull and testing, but it is essential. My editors all like to start by going on a search and destroy mission for one of my worst errors, the humble comma. Freedom for peace-loving, persecuted commas say I. They seem to disagree, and one should always listen to one’s editor. Especially when you are paying for their time.

What is your advice to new writers?

Write. And, like the infamous moving finger, having writ move on and write some more. Stephen King, who knows a thing or two about writing, says (in On Writing) that the second million words written will be better than the first million. Can’t beat that as advice. Go write.

What is your favourite book?

What? WHAT? WHAT? Who only has ONE favourite book??? I have several, and the answer changes according to my mood. So I will quote: Lord Of The Rings (Tolkien), Soul Music (Pratchett), The Reluctant Messiah (Bach), The Iron Hand of Mars (Davis), A Long Way Down (Hornby). Of course, if I was writing this on another day it could easily be a different collection, none of which I would consider inferior to the first lot. I mean, I haven’t included any Neil Gaiman, Colin Dexter, Tom Holt, Stephen King, Le Carre… Le Guin, and Zelazny! What laist of books could ever be complete without Roger Zelazny’s Lord of Light? I usually assess the quality of a bookshop by checking to see if that is on the shelves.  And then there’s [Redacted for space]

What book are you currently reading and in what format?fwrness 2

I’m presently reading one of Joe Abercrombie’s fantasy novels in my preferred hardback format. Because I’m on a screen all day for work and writing, when I’m relaxing I much prefer to have a proper book in my hands. Joe is a leading Grimdark exponent, and since I am thinking about some slightly darker fantasy than my Banned Underground collection, I want to pick up some vibes and some tips.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

Criticism is something that every writer has to learn to live with.  For a start, not everyone will like your subject.  Kazuo Ishiguro recently wrote a novel called The Sleeping Giant and was astonished at the negative critical reaction, because it was considered a fantasy novel, for example. A writer has to grow a thick skin: and at the same time try to be alert for the simple fact that the last novel may not, in fact, be perfect and you (or more particularly, I ) could do better. And should try to do so. At the same time, some criticism can safely be ignored, and the skill is in learning to tell the difference. For example, one of my novels has a negative review on Amazon which reads: ‘Not read. Not well.’ By which I assume the reviewer couldn’t think of anything about the book they liked, as they had not opened it owing to an illness. Quite what anyone is supposed to make of that review, I’m not sure.

 

Links

 

www.willmacmillanjones.com

www.thebannedunderground.com

www.willmacmillanjones.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/william.macmillanjones

twitter:  @macmillanjones

Happy London Eurovision Party! Recap from VIP guest blogger Christoph Fischer

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Today I’m guest on Andrew Gillman’s iconic pop-culture blog http://www.sparklyprettybriiiight.com with something completely different. Some of you may want to cover your eyes and ears, while others are advised to go over to Andrew’s blog and read the full article.

Happy London Eurovision Party! Recap from VIP guest blogger Christoph Fischer

Happy London Eurovision Party! Recap from VIP guest blogger Christoph Fischer

(image via Eurovision.tv)

 

In recent years The Eurovision Song Contest has staged a series of parties at select cities throughout Europe to build up excitement and momentum ahead of the event itself and to extend the Eurovision season a little bit further than one stellar week in May. This year, parties were held in Moscow, Riga, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam and London, where is where this week’s enormously talented guest blogger saw a whole host of Eurovision artists old and new performing their memorable songs. Take it away VIP guestChristoph Fischer …

Thanks for having me on your blog. I’ve got big shoes to fill here, but I’ll try to make it as entertaining as possible.

It’s fantastic to see how Eurovision strives to become an ever more global and interactive event. Gone are the days of a small selected audience in a minor theatre hall. I have been to Eurovision once (in 2013) and began to realise how many side-events, parties and shows are being organised around it – many long before the contest even starts.

So this year I decided to join the pre-hype for Eurovision and attend one of the five huge parties that invite the 2016 participants to perform live on stage. Moscow, Riga, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam had already held their parties and this was the last one before the delegates head for the actual contest in Stockholm. It was a good excuse to go to the vibrant city that is London and it’s always such an odd feeling for me to find large groups of hard-core ESC fans, a rather specialised music market. Trust me, in rural Wales, where I live, the appreciation and enthusiasm for it is slim.

I splashed out for a VIP ticket, tempted by the exclusivity the name implied, and eager to get a shot at the promised “meet-and-greet photo opportunities” with the ‘stars’. Laziness was the other factor – I wanted to get a seat since the doors opened at 5 pm and closed at 2am… I’m old.

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Christoph with host Nikki French and Uk entrants Joe and Jake (image courtesy Christoph Fischer)

 

As a VIP I joined a very short queue for the early entrance option, got my gift bag and VIP pass before entering the venue. Nicki French, UK representative of 2000 (and a one-time dance and drinking partner of mine – there’s another long story) greeted everyone together with Joe and Jake – the UK act for this year. Professional photographers took pictures of all VIPs posing with those three. I have to hand it to those guys – they did a great job. The welcome was warm and fun and there was time to chat briefly and wish them well. A promising start. The Cafe De Paris has an oval shape with a VIP gallery overlooking the stage and the dance floor. I positioned myself advantageously on the balcony near the stage.
As the hall filled the DJ played an eclectic mix of classic and odd Eurovision hits: Winners, high-pointed second places and nil-pointers all got these hard core fans going. You could tell it was going to be a great night with so much enthusiasm and good will to have a good time around.

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VIP entry! (image courtesy Christoph Fischer)

 

First up was Ireland – a song I hadn’t rated so highly but Nicky Byrne delivered a convincing performance that swayed me. He sang first because he had to head off to Heathrow to catch a flight but he stayed focused and calm throughout. He also came across as extremely likeable – patiently posing for selfies on his way in and keeping a humble attitude in the chats – a far cry from the big-headed pomp that sank Engelbert’s PR campaign. It was mentioned that Nick started his phenomenal Westlife career in the very Cafe De Paris in 1998, the perfect place to launch his solo career.

Kaliopi from Macedonia is a Eurovision veteran and she owned the stage. The audience loved her before she even grabbed the microphone. She’s got a phenomenal voice and a charismatic bubbly personality – it’s hard to dismiss her, despite the somewhat weak song in my opinion. Macedonia will do well in the semi’s at least.

Poli Genova from Bulgaria was another huge surprise for me. I remembered her in ESC 2011 – almost helpless, squeezed in a unlikely designer frock which was in sharp contrast to her leather rock attire and punk hair cut from the preview video. I hadn’t rated her new song in my many YouTube marathons of 2016 songs but after a few minutes of her on stage I was as much in love with her as the rest of the audience. Nobody could escape her upbeat personality – or the catchy chorus as sung by the entire audience. It has huge potential to make that all important instant impact.

Continue reading here

Happy London Eurovision Party! Recap from VIP guest blogger Christoph Fischer

Andrew also goes by the name of https://twitter.com/aussiemoose

aussiemoose

I am an extrovertive gay man living in Sydney who loves Indian food, current affairs, music, film and reading, caramel anything, and a beautiful guy called Steve who makes every day a delight. I am trying to get two novels in a trilogy ready for e-publication, love my iPhone & iPod, and am secretly Canadian in my soul. Life is fun, exciting and joyful and I aim to make the absolute most of it! View all posts by aussiemoose

Eric Yates: EPITAPH TO ‘NICKLE ECK’ Childhood Mischief in Wartime Birmingham

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 17 Comments

Today I’d like to introduce you to the late Eric Yates and his marvelous book:

EPITAPH TO ‘NICKLE ECK’BOOK C0VER

Childhood Mischief in Wartime Birmingham

By ERIC YATES

Book Description'NICKLE ECK' AND JOHN 1938 'IDEA' ILLUSTRATION

It is the late 1930’s and, despite his diminutive stature and humble demeanour, from a very young age little Eric (‘Nickle Eck’ to his family) is expected to earn his keep, beginning with the task of collecting and delivering beer for his Dad’s friend – but not before taking a swig and topping up the bottle with tap water – for which he is paid 6d.

‘Nickle Eck’ was accustomed to being surrounded by forests of bottled beer as a toddler, while his Mom played the piano and sang. Even then he returned the empties for 2d – but not before draining a few bottles first. He considered himself ‘the youngest alcoholic in Birmingham’.

From the age of four, Eric sticks doggedly to the side of John, his hero and elder brother by two years, obeying instructions carrying out John’s momentous ‘IDEAS’ which could lead him to suffering bruises, black eyes and similar injuries – even fearing an early death – as well as the inevitable thump on the head from Mom.

John is the instigator of questionable mischief and shenanigans with which the boys fill their days. From pyrotechnics, explosions and electrocutions to the strengthening of neck muscles, bread soup incidents and bob-sledging life is never dull, but the brothers are highly intelligent with great wit and enterprise. Their love of reading develops their minds and their humorous yet heart-stopping escapades often include characters and ideas taken from literature.'EXPRESSIONS' ILLUSTRATIONS 003

Eric and John are evacuated, quickly becoming the despair of billeting officers who move them from one home to another, leaving havoc in their wake. Following a fishing incident, when they inadvertently drain a canal causing serious flooding and find themselves in court, John assumes the mantle of Defending Counsel, thoroughly enjoying this role and confident that his cunning idea to prove their innocence will deflect punishment – which it does, the case being dismissed. However, the brothers are then separated for the first time in their young lives.7. BREAD PUDDING ILLUSTRATION

Although devastated without John to protect him, Eric stoically does his best to stave off the teasing and brutality of other evacuees and, admittedly terror-struck, uses his inborn talent and humour to win round his tormentors who appoint him the gang’s jester – which is a role that Eric plays throughout his lifetime.

Check out the the Amazon.co.uk book website, where the reviews are very enthusiastic.

 

ERIC YATES (1933-2012)ERIC'S PORTRAIT 001

Eric did two years’ National Service as an Army Education Officer in Cyprus, and seven years with the Kenyan Police in East Africa where, as a Customs & Excise Investigation Officer, he swam in shark-infested waters looking for hidden contraband. Whilst living in Africa, he joined the National Theatre of Nairobi where he performed in Shakespeare, the Classics and drama.

For almost 20 years he worked for Bass Charrington, controlling licensed premises throughout the Midlands, and also for Mitchells & Butlers in Birmingham, (U.K) during which time he was with the Hall Green Little Theatre and became a stalwart member of the Blossomfield Club in Solihull, where for many years he performed, directed and was co-writer of original musical comedies produced and performed there.

At one time a presenter for BBC Radio Birmingham, Eric spent ten years with the Monitoring Section of the BBC World Service in Berkshire, becoming well-known locally for his acting talent, especially mimicry and humour, winning numerous awards over the years.

Eric was married twice and met his second wife in Henley-on-Thames, when she directed him in J.B. Priestley’s When We Are Married. At that time he was semi-retired working as a warden at Windsor Castle, where he endeared himself to his colleagues but was often reprimanded for displaying his unique brand of humour to the general public.

Retiring to Devon in 2001, Eric enjoyed boat restoration, brewing very strong cider, cultivating rare trees and plants and reading. He began writing his stories in 2004 – and also began tales from his adult life, regrettably unfinished. He and his wife performed in Salcombe, where he is celebrated in the South Hams for his performance in the famous music hall sketch ‘Dinner for One’ (YouTube – Dinner for One, Eric).

His final memorable performance was at the 2011 Dartmouth Drama Festival, five months before he died, where he brought the house down in the two miming sketches from Michael Frayn’s Alarms & Excursions, directed by his wife. His expertise was as sharp as ever and, as always, he received tumultuous applause.

REVIEW by Amazon Kindle publisher (Sept. 2014)

EPITAPH TO ‘NICKLE ECK’

Childhood Mischief in Wartime Birmingham

By ERIC YATES 9. GAMES OF CHANCE ILLUSTRATION 002

This is an excellent book.  It depicts a very colourful and vibrant snapshot of Eric and John’s formative years in war-torn Birmingham.   The book is highly entertaining from beginning to end and I challenge anyone to read it without raising a smile.  EPITAPH to ‘NICKLE ECK’ is somewhat short in length but it is still one of the most compelling books I’ve read in a long time – there is so much that is worthy of praise.  However, the heart of the work lies with Eric and John and their wit, their infinite sense of adventure and their sheer love of challenging the boundaries.  This is a really refreshing read which, I am certain, will strike a chord with all those who are fortunate enough to read it.

 

Eric’s expertise at recounting their boyhood antics is second to none.  His articulate way with words, his wide-ranging vocabulary and his excellent use of description makes this book a pleasure to read.  The style is also wonderfully warm and endlessly entertaining.  His vivid descriptions of characters, settings and events are first-rate and he is something of an expert at bringing things to life.  Not only was Eric a natural storyteller but he was also a natural comic, too, and EPITAPH to ‘NICKLE ECK’ makes full use of these special gifts. 

 11.EVACUATION ILLUSTRATION 005

The way that Eric describes the characters in the book is superb.  As a reader, one has no problem in imagining what Mom looks like or Grandad or Chopper Smith because Eric picks out a handful of their most prominent traits and describes a couple of their physical attributes, and that’s really all it takes.  The result is perfection.  My favourite two descriptions have to be (for their comic value alone) The Babby, Fred, the 12lb baby who could be found ‘sleeping off several pints of full-cream milk’ and Chopper Smith – ‘It wasn’t just his ape-like gait which frightened us, or his sagging features – of which he had many – but his habit of carrying a chopper.’

 

The content of this book is what makes it stand out from any others in this field.  The mischief and shenanigans that these two boys filled their days with make for excellent reading.  Although, I must side with Eric for a moment because it is clear that John was almost always the instigator of these questionable activities.  From pyrotechnics, explosions and electrocutions to the strengthening of neck muscles, bread soup incidents and bob-sledging, there are so many laugh-out-loud moments in this book that one simply can’t read it with a straight face.  The Cowboys

and Indians game which nearly resulted in the demise of the Potato Man is particularly hilarious and the visual imagery which is evoked from the writing is splendid.  The boys must have been very popular with the fire brigade.

 

Aside from the light-hearted fun, there are also some serious parts to the book, the most poignant of which is the ‘Evacuees’ chapter.  Eric must have been scared – as he admits – when he and John were evacuated to Nottingham because he recounts the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere at the railway station in great detail.  Moving away from home – even with his brother – must have been a very scary time for both of the boys and, indeed, all evacuees, and Eric captures this anxiety very well.  It wasn’t long, however, until their shenanigans started up again and before long they became familiar faces at the Billeting Office because they had to keep moving from one house and family to another.  As well as the evacuee story, there are two more touching additions to the book – the ‘Ode to My Brother’ and the ‘Epitaph’.  Both pieces of writing demonstrate the skills of each author brilliantly but, most importantly, they also speak volumes about the close relationship between these two brothers that obviously spanned their lifetimes.    

 

Overall, EPITAPH to ‘NICKLE ECK’ is filled with excellent anecdotes which are shared with great wit, fun and entertainment.  It’s a winning mix of hilarity, fond memories and colourful characters. In short, it’s a very satisfying and memorable read.

“Punk Rocker” Anthology – Interview with Jim Kavanagh

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

anthology, Billy Idol, Brenda Perlin, Generation X, Iggy Pop, memoirs, memories, music, Punk, Punk Rocker, punkers, The Clash, The Damned

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000030_00042]

As some of you already know, I’ve contributed to an anthology called PUNK ROCKER, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology.

In the next few weeks, leading up to the release on May 15th, I will introduce the other authors who are in on the project. Today I have Jim Kavanagh. 

How did you get involved in the PUNK ROCKER project? —-12968774_1114008931972182_999130383_n

Punk Rocker’s author Brenda and I became fast friends after we had a long discussion about Punk Rock and the unrest of the late 70’s early 80’s. I spoke about Punk in NYC and Brenda spoke about Punk in LA. As it turns out we are both avid readers and Brenda shared with me some of her stories and of course her books.
Along the way, Brenda asked me if I ever gave thought to writing about some of my “Punk” experiences in NYC. Brenda was cool. She pushed me to take that chance to articulate and lay it down in my own words. What’s crazy is Brenda inadvertently helped me stare down a few demons I carried deep within me from that time. I’m grateful for her patience, friendship and wonderful soul.
I’m honored she allowed me to contribute to her work.

Can you explain what Punk means to you? —-

Not even a little bit..lol…if it can be fully defined it wouldn’t be Punk…. Hahahahaha
During a time of social and political unrest a movement was born. This movement had music. This music still survives and continues to influence artists like it has for the last 40 years. This movement had a look and an attitude that fashion designers and movie producers are still copying. This movement gave life to a generation that was lost and couldn’t fit into the social structure of the times…. Blah blah blah… That’s just the beginning.

What do you do when you don’t write? —

Writing is very new to me. But,..Conservation, the saving of the worlds Big cats. Tigerwold.us

Who would you like to invite for dinner?— image2

Right now? Today? The President of the United States, Congress and all the seating senators. The entire executive branch. Might as well bring the judicial Branch too.
I’m not so sure they would enjoy the dinner. A big fat helping of horseshit. Steaming and right in front of them. That’s what the American people have been served … So enjoy.

What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality? —

I have no idea. I have never given it much thought. But I would hope that they see me as a good Father. A true renaissance man….hahaha that’s fucking funny ….

Oddest quality?

I despise cruelty on any level and I get real cruel to those that are cruel. I just can’t walk away or ignore it.

Who are your favourite authors?—

That is a tough Question… So many short story authors I adore.

What is your favourite book?—

I love Biographies and autobiographies. I just finIshed “By Any Means Necessary: Speeches by Malcolm X”
I save fiction for the movies…. When I need a bath for the brain… Lol

Jim Kavanagh owns a small Construction firm in New York City. When he is not working for Fortune 500 companies, he spends time with his sons. He is a stout conservationist who is dedicated to saving the Big Cats. Forever a punk, Jim ran in the streets of NYC from 1977-1981 and lived the “no future” political movement of the times.

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