If you’ve not yet read Little Ghosts, there’s a lightning special price this weekend as the book has been selected for a Bookbub featured deal promotion. It’s reduced in price on all major platforms (Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble etc…)
https://geni.us/69-Storm
I always feel a bit awkward dropping the price for these type of promotions, since it seems unfair on those who have just bought the book at full price – but Bookbub is a big deal in the publishing industry, and the only books that ever break through to become true bestsellers have to play these games. Nevertheless, apologies if you have just bought it at the previous price, and I hope you understand. On the other hand, if you hadn’t got around to it, now’s a good time to grab it, as the price will go up again soon.
Marketing duties done, an equally rapid writing and life update: I’ve now finished all the books I’m contracted to write for Storm (Little Ghosts was the first), and the remaining two are out this summer. The first of those is a re-edited version of The Cove, followed by The Pool. More on those next week. But with a bit of time on my hands I’ve got stuck into a third book in this series, which I think will be called The Hunt. Again, I’ll tell you a bit more next week. But I’m really enjoying writing it, particularly as it involves quite a bit of international travel, for which I’m mining the experiences of my misspent youth. I’ve also returned to my writing roots by getting up at six every morning to get some words done before breakfast.
On the slightly less positive note, I had a real split-second-of-stupidity-moment the other day, for which I’m still paying the price. It’s an odd one this, as I’ll try to explain. The facts are not contested:
- I decided to demonstrate to my daughter how to ‘drop in’ to a skateboard ramp (on a skateboard).
- The ramp in question was quite large, and I wore no protective clothing, nor helmet.
- I never learnt to skateboard as a kid.
- I haven’t learned to skateboard since being a kid.
Clearly this should have been more than enough information so that some kind of mental-hand-brake applied itself, as I stared down at the solid concrete far below. But it didn’t, and I wheeled hopefully forward, and then down, and then-much-faster-down, and then hit the bottom (with my bottom) with such an impact that several people came running forward to ask if I needed an ambulance. I didn’t, but it was touch and go.
Here’s the odd thing. I genuinely don’t feel, even three-weeks later when I can’t sleep on one side, or lift my left arm above my head, that I was free to make any other decision in that moment. I was so sure I would be able to skateboard down that ramp, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that there was no decision to make.
I *think* that this gives a rare and possibly-scientifically-useful insight into the phenomenon of the male midlife crisis, or more specifically the sense that men of a certain age, who used to be fairly sporty, get as it becomes clear that they no longer are fairly sporty, and never will be again. Perhaps this is only of interest to me, but it really does seem quite profound. Of course the other explanation is that I’ve just always been a reckless idiot, which also might be true. Either way, if any of you are thinking about taking up skateboard ramping (is that the right term?) I’d urge caution.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Little Ghosts is 0.99 for this weekend. Go buy it if you haven’t already, and I’ll be in touch next week with more bookish news. Now I’ve gotta dash as I’m off BASE jumping. Seriously, how hard can it be?
https://geni.us/69-Storm
Hope you’re well.
Gregg
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