Talisman

I didn't get to the stage of discussing royalties with them, but because of the way in which the industry works, most authors, POD or otherwise (myself included) don't receive royalties until 6 months after the book is published. This is basically because book stores pay wholesalers after 3 months, and wholesalers pay publishers 3 months after they are paid by the book sellers. With my publisher, the first cheque is sent after 6 months, and thereafter you are paid every 3 months. With most commercial publishers though it is just twice a year. She will be lucky then to get any money for another 6 months - apart from for books that she sells herself of course. I agree though that it is very good publicity, but not very well researched. It wouldn't happen in my village newsletter !

The house has definately not been bought on the proceeds from or royalties from this book - trust me on this one. If you read the article carefully uou will see that her publisher is Authorhouse. This is the largest print on demand provider in both North America and Britain - I looked at publishing with them, and chose not to for various reasons, mainly the fact that they were so expensive, and also because they were very high pressure sales. Because they are print on demand this means that authors pay them to publish their books, and not the other way around. She would get royalties then, and of course the proceeds from books that she sells herself, but no advance. I think it is great that this lady has become a published author at the age of 93, and I can see why she may have chosen this route - let's face it, what 93 year old has the time to wait around hoping to be 'discovered'! I also think it is great that she is helping her friends in this way. It is very clever publicity, but the money for this house definately did not come from her book !

I am not a big sports fan, and don't really watch it on the TV. I do though enjoy walking - around the area where we live (loads of walks to choose from being surrounded by one of the National Trust's largest estates), and of course on Lundy. I also go the gym around 2-3 times a week, where I use the exercise bikes and treadmills and also the weights. My job keeps me quite fit as well - running up and down stairs, lifting and carrying TV's, hoovers and so on.

courgettes stuffed with goats cheese, cherry tomatoes and black olives, with white basmati rice, corn on the cob and creamy coleslaw.

When I am at home or on holiday, I read at any time. On the typical working day though, most of my lunch break will be spent reading something.

I have the entire collection of Only Fools and Horses - love that series and know some of it word for word ! Also have Babylon 5 - best sci fi series in the whole wide world - series 1-5 plus the movies - The Gathering, In the Beginning, Third Space and River of Souls. Brilliant stuff !

Mostly the local stations - LBC and BBC Southern Counties, and occasionally Smooth FM.

Perhaps I will try selling my book in Ghana then - ha ha Seriously though, I read for a number of different reasons. As a non fiction writer, I read an awful lot of other non fiction books, looking for ideas for my own writing, for research purposes to check my own facts, and also as others have said, because it helps me to learn. I am not talking cook books and gardening books here, which is what a lot of poeple think non fiction is, but about different aspects of history, religion and science, in particular what some would call forbidden archaeology or alternative history, these are the two subjects that fascinate me the most, since there is so much of our history that we do not know about. I also read a lot about human origins and our evolution, and actually studied this subject for a year via Birkbeck College. It is important after all to look at all the angles and explore differing points of view. I also have a sizeable collection of spiritual books, some of which I dip into time and time again, the Conversations of God books and the works of Eckhart Tolle probably being my favourites. I have learnt a lot about myself through such books, and have been pleased to discover that I am not alone in problems and insecurites. This has been a great comfort at times. Lately I have had several 'dark nights of the soul' on which to ponder such things. I do read fiction as well, although not as much. I find that I particualrly enjoy novels about different places and cultures (The Kite Runner, The Shadow of the Wind etc). I enjoy getting to know the different characters and thinking about their motivations, and sometimes comparing them to people I have met in real life. Reading for me though fulfills several needs - yes the need for escapism, but most of all for learning and experiencing about different aspects of life and for finding out more about myself and where I fit into this wonderful thing we call life.

Anything so-called celebrity written, as for one thing, most of them are not celebrity written, and for another, they have enough money already, and I don't see why I should subsidise their plastic surgery and egos !

left over cold roast potatoes with salad

home made coconut rice with beans and carrots

Today was the first time I had a full one hour lunch break- I went and sat in the churchyard round the back of the High Street, and it was bliss ! I had a cottage cheese salad to eat followed by some juicy red grapes

I have an MP3 rather than an Ipod - as I wanted one with a voice recorder. I change the playlists that I keep on there on a regular basis, depending on my mood, but at the moment I have: Chicane: Far From the Maddening Crowd Angela Bofill: Angie Chill out playlist of various artists - Zero 7 and so on David Sun: An Island Called Paradise Michael Crawford: Disney Album Enya: Memory of Trees Gladiator: Soundtrack Hayley Westenra: Prayer Annie Lennox: Medusa Mozart: Clarinet Concerto Exercise Playlist - various artists Moby: Best of Dan Gibson: Atlantic Suite Patrick Kelly: Beyond the Horizon Jonathon Still: Beneath the Bodhi Tree Utopia: double CD of various classical music, film soundtracks etc Jazz Favourites playlist Jazzercise Playlist - various jazz/funk artists - Donald Byrd and so on Phil Thornton: Solstice Deva Premal and Miten: Songs for the Inner Lover A bit of a mixture then. Didn't realise I had so much on there !

Have just downloaded a Roy Ayres anthology called Destination Motherland. Love his music !

They didn't say anything at all about what they were looking for - it was just a straightforward sign in the window with no information at all, other than the fact that it was a full time job. As for the questions - just the usual - contact details, education, previous jobs etc plus one or two other questions, not unlike those asked by other retailers - why are you interested in book selling, why Waterstones, mention a time that you worked as part of a team and what your contribution was and so on. All straightforward stuff, and nothing difficult or out of the ordinary. I think to be honest it wasn't because they didn't feel I was suitable, it was more to do with the fact that by the time I saw the sign it had been up for a while already, and they may even have been already interviewing. There was also a delay in getting it back, as we were so short staffed I could not get out of the store. I suspect then that by the time i got it back they had already found someone, as the sign had been taken down by then. Still, it is not the only local branch, so I could always try some other ones if they need people.

I can be very gobby when I have to be, and you have to be like that an awful lot if you are a POD author like me, and and are trying to get your book into stores - you couldn't do it o9herwise, neither can you be easily scared or put off ! As for the £7 an hour bit, I wish I did earn that - my current employer pays one penny above the minimum wage, although admittedly we do get bonusses. How come you've visited what must be all their stores though Roland - are you a rep or something ? !

That is exactly why I find it so difficult to understand their decision. I may not have experience at actually working in a book shop, but as a self published author who has managed to get her book into over 100 stores nationwide and has in depth knowledge of the publishing industry, making an effort to keep up to date on what is happening, I thought that would count for something. It seems that I was wrong. It will be interesting then to see who they did appoint - probably some blonde 20 something who thinks that Jordan (sorry, Katie Price) writes her own books ! Still, their loss will be someone else's gain and I might not have liked it there anyway - the Manager can be a bit funny.

jacket spuds with cheese and coleslaw

Had a letter waiting for me when I got home to say they had given it to someone 'more suitable'. I hate it when they say that as it makes me wonder how I am not suitable !

A bit of both I suspect !

Can be anything from 6 to 12 months - a bit like DVD's.

A few of some of mine: The Babylon 5 movies (In the Beginning, the Gathering, River of Souls, Third Space) Star Wars films Star Trek First Contact Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home Life is Beautiful What Dreams May Come American Beauty The Colour Purple Fried Green Tomatoes Thelma and Louise Gladiator (especially THAT scene - when he tells Commodus who he is!) Life of Brian Carry on films True Lies

I must eat about 10 portions a day then, since I live on fruit and veg !

Pasta with pesto sauce and whatever vegetables I can find !