I have, over the past month or so been revising my stuff for a book I will have printed in January - all new ideas that might seduce me have been dulled by wax in my ears so to speak. I'm putting 80 or so poems into the collection - many of them have been posted here but they have been edited and revised - it's tough work but hey ho ?

Ahh so that's why you've been away. And here's me thinking you won the lottery and are living the high life with some showgirls in Vegas. Anyway, publishing a book of poetry isn't too shabby! Good luck, Rick. And many happy returns. Cheers!

Cheers, Guys - my 'spare phrase' file is filling up with nicked snippets of conversations and lines from fillums etc but since a pome takes at least a week of struggle for its first manifestation and then gawd only knows how much revision, I daren't begin any new stuff till after the 3rd Jan.

That is a self imposed deadline - I told the printer I'll be first in on that date. I'm not using a publisher as such since all they know is money and profit and I won't be subject to any man's dictats - once an anarchist etc ?

So I'm laying out the dosh - 1500 quid for first go - and the book is as per title "Not For Sale" - I shall give it to family - those who are still talking to me that is ? And folks at poetry dos who'd genuinely appreciate it.

I have only a limited interest in the cash nexus - shudder at the thought of selling anything - let's face it, what price can one put on a life lived, work that has been sweated on over years and so on? any monetary amount is an insult - so this book is free ? but at quite a cost in terms of effort and inspiration. ?

Hi Rick,
I hear what you're saying, but it might be worth considering also selling on Amazon, or whatever. You would have a few takers here- fellow poets - and it might help you a little with the cost. I for one would be interested..

I do have a novel on kindle - written some years back - no idea how many it's sold - the money goes to an African charity. It has good reviews I'm told. I think it needs drastic rewriting so never look at it as it's an embarrassment (Only Mayonnaise by Brad Driver)
I never sell anything - it's a personal faith thing - the cost of the book is met by my living on around 15 quid a week - and saving the rest - when I get the book from the printer I'll private message you for an address and post you a copy. :)

That would be an honour Rick. Living on 15 quid a week cannot be fun. And I thought I was broke.. Anyway, many happy returns, and all the best for the new year!

The 15 is through choice - to pay for the book, me cataract ops as and when and if - oh and the inevitable funeral - I save the rest. Mind you, I went out this evening did a coupla pomes - not very well but the crowd did not mind and blew half me budget ha ha -seems I'm reconnecting with an old girlfriend of 25 plus years ago - the magic is still there but she cost me a dry white wine (drar whart warne in Hull speak ) and with my lime and soda it came to 7:60 - the sulk is on ?