Travels in Southern England – St George’s Day in Pinner.

St George’s Day was never much of an event I have taken notice of.  The ancient hero was of course celebrated in olden times and he is England’s patron saint so I suppose it is appropriate we English celebrate his day, after all Scotland has St Andrew’s Day, Wales St David’s Day and Ireland St Patrick’s Day.  In Pinner, North London, where I am staying, St George’s Day is a big event with a road closed off, so a wheelbarrow race can take place, street venders can set up their stalls and Morris Dancers can display their art (see photos below).

 

Keith Jahans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London Book Fair 2023 – Part 2

I called into The Hand & Flower yesterday for the Alliance of Independent Authors’ drinks party.  I met an Irishman who now lives in Wandsworth, London, an area I was familiar with from the days when I used to visit the Youngs Ram Brewery, sadly now no longer in existence.  He was interested in publishing his travel books and I pointed out that it was now easier than never before because of the existence of self publishing companies such as Kindle Direct Publishing and Engram Spark.  There were plenty of tutorials of how to do this online and as the London Book Fair still had a day to run I pointed him in the direction of their stands.  Whether he would make any money from these enterprises was doubtful, but it would provide an entertaining pastime.  I had achieved all I had wanted from this year’s Fair so I wended my way back to where I live in North London, satisfied that I had met my main targets

Keith Jahans

 

The Hand and Flower Pub opposite Olimpia

London Book Fair 2023

Yesterday I attended Day 1 of this year’s LBF.  All the publishing players I wanted to see were there including Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Ingram Spark.  I met best selling authors Nicola May and Barry Hutchison (better known as JD Kirk) who I also met last year at the KDP stand and was able to pick up some valuable pointers.  I popped into Nielsen’s Book Data and learned that, as Kindle were now using Epub rather than Mobi format for their Kindle ebooks, there was no need to have a different ISBN for each of these formats which will be a big money saver moving forward.  Much to my surprise the Alliance of Independent Authors, of which I am a member, did not have a stand, but they will be holding a drinks party at The Hand & Flower pub opposite Olympia Wednesday evening.

 

Keith Jahans

 

LBF 2023

 

IS Stand

 

KDP Stand

Book Review – Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

The clocks were striking thirteen.

The author wrote this in 1948 and reversed the last two digits to create his title.  Both dates have long passed yet the book is as relevant now as it was then.  It remains the first great dystopian novel.  Orwell depicts a terrifying world using the technical skills of one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers.

The story centres on Winston Smith who, as a smallish frail figure, lives in a dingy flat and is a government employee in the records department at the Ministry of Truth.  War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.  He is, like everyone in his world, watched at home, at work and everywhere he goes.  This world is ruled over by “Big Brother” and Winston goes about daily life in fear of being detained by the Thought Police.

Sadly, much of what Orwell writes has come to pass which leaves the reader with a pessimistic outlook for the future.  The story was written as a warning and yet little note has been taken of it by western political leaders.  However, there is hope that new leaders will emerge who will look at it again and succeed in avoiding the pitfalls so brilliantly described in this narrative.

 

Available as a hardback, paperback,
ebook and audiobook

Keith Jahans