The Spoons That Are My Ears!

My new novel has been published at last. I began writing it three years ago and finished it last year. Now it's available to be read. It's very rude; in fact it's the most obscene thing I've written, even naughtier than The Percolated Stars. I also happen to believe it's my funniest book to date. I now look forward to shocked reviews. But then again, we live in a jaded world, so people probably won't even bat an eyelid. Ah well! It seems that a 10,000 word extract from Mister Gum has already been selected to appear in a 'Year's Best' anthology; and this is something that provides me with a certain grim satisfaction -- I'm always overlooked for the Datlow and Jones anthologies (mayhap for political reasons?)

Back to the promotion of my new novel... Gums generally hold teeth; but this gum is held by a hand. The design for the cover was made on this beach, and here's a photo of it superimposed on the same beach. Blessed recursion or what? A great deal of Mister Gum was written last year in a public library when I was in dire straits financially. I had no computer of my own. I even had to rely on tins of food donated by friends and sleep on a golf course. But at least I kept my aristocratic dignity and never stooped to taking a paid job. That's the way I prefer to see it, anyway.

Other news: I'm still working on my 500th story; and still working on my Gustav Meyrink tribute story; and I'm also putting together a possible collection for a Romanian publisher. Plus there's a chance I might have found a publisher for my Tallest Stories book. An electronic version of Twisthorn Bellow should be available later this year. If all goes to plan, that is...