Patrick G Cox

Patrick G Cox: My aplogies to all my friends here, and to those I regularly read. I have a lot on my plate at the moment with promoting, writing, editing, revising and ...

Well you get the picture. I keep telling myself that once winter starts I'll have more reading/reviewing time. Here's hoping.

Patrick G Cox: Finally. The editing is complete, the formatting is complete, the book layout and cover is complete, even some 'illustrations' internally are complete - so Limehouse Boys is now 'in the works' with the printer (Lightning Source and Create Space) and uploaded to Kindle by the publisher, IndieGo Publishing LLC ... It's been quite a haul, which is why I've been somewhat absent here, but I must say the end result is looking really good. As soon as I can I'll upload a link to the Kindle Store for it, and I hope some readers here will want to buy it.

The book will be on sale from the 31st July.

Patrick G Cox: Entering the final stages of publishing my latest book. This has been a long, long haul and pretty demanding, but the final draft version is now with the Beta Readers. Hopefully once we have their responses, the book will go to print.

All of which leaves little time for writing at the moment.

Patrick G Cox: Hay fever has me firmly in its grip. Sneezing, burning eyes, bad throat ... Can't focus on anything at present, sorry folks ...

Patrick G Cox: Still rewriting and waiting on editor's criticisms and suggestions. An interesting challenge on top now, trying to find the copyright owner of a photo taken in the 1880s ...

Now there's a challenge.

Patrick G Cox: My apologies to those I usually read ... I'm having to take a break for a bit as I'm having to do some rewrites and a lot of extra work for my publisher.

More cheerfully, I had a great five days with my kids in the UK. Now back to the grindstone ...

Patrick G Cox: Heading for the UK in the morning for a five day visit to see my kids in London and Dorset, so I will be 'absent' for a bit. I know, I know, I've been a bit 'absent' for the last couple of weeks -- and I apologise to anyone counting on my reviewing. I have a couple of big projects in the garden, on rewriting something, and bringing out another book.

Normal service will resume when I figure out what I'm doing with at least one of them ...

Patrick G Cox: A BIG thanks to all those who voted for my entry to Dr Terry Fying's Crumbling Crypt - Tales from the Count's Crypt. I'm delighted to have won and I'm pleased that my rather quirky humour is giving amusement to so many readers.

The Count will do his best to continue to amuse ...

Patrick G Cox: A failed hard drive on my laptop - fortunately backed up regularly - is causing a bit of a problem at the moment. I'm doing my best on my iPad to read and review, but posting is tricky.

Patrick G Cox: Anyone else have a complete 'outage' of FanStory last night? I suddenly couldn't access the site at all, the second time in recent days this has happened, I just get a message saying my browser 'can't access the server'. It lasted at least two hours here in my neck of the woods ...

Patrick G Cox: OK, so I'm probably a dinosaur when it comes to dramatic changes. I'm actually having a problem or two with the new layout of the site to try to find out how much I have in my 'kitty' for promoting chapters, where my message notifications are hiding now and how to know if and when I have been reviewed ...

As for where to find the forums ...

Patrick G Cox: I plan to start posting chapters from my new book soon. Set in the period 1830-ish in the East End of London and the Thames estuary, Essex and Kent, it is proving interesting to write (in a phonetic 'Estuarine' vernacular) because the research has turned up some interesting aspects of early Victorian society.

My 'heroes' in this are a trio of orphaned boys who face efforts by organised crime barons to exploit them. There is murder, arson, blackmail, corruption - and some sailing barges and their crews ...

In other news, my publisher, Indiego Publishing, having taken on Their Lordships Request, one of my early books, asked for a total rewrite of it with new material and chapters, and the removal of others - and now plans to publish it as Harry Heron: Midshipman's Journey. The rewrite and the editing is taking a lot of time, but, from the feedback from the publisher, has been worth the effort..

Patrick G Cox: Having been very busy editing two books, attempting to get another two started, gardening, household stuff, and dog training, walking and generally 'doggy' stuff with my Shelties, I'm now off to South Africa for a Class reunion for two weeks.

Hopefully, when I get back, I can start posting some chapters of my latest historical novel ...

I live in hope, ever the optimist!

Patrick G Cox: Figured it was time to update my profile picture to a more recent image.

Patrick G Cox: Changed my profile picture. Just for fun really. This was as I was preparing to take part in the Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday in Tewkesbury Abbey. The 'Solemn' Liturgy is actually the third stage of a service that starts on Maundy Thursday evening and finishes with the Sung Mass on Easter Sunday - with pauses in between of course ...

Patrick G Cox: I've just finished going through the publisher's edited version of The Outer Edge and now I'm on the final lap before it goes into print and Kindle et al. It has been a long and interesting process, but I think the final result is going to be a great read for lovers of the genre.

At the moment, all I can say is, 'phew' ...

And, as Samuel Pepys was wont to close his diary entries - and so to bed.

Patrick G Cox: Merry Christmas everyone, may it be peaceful and bring all you hope for.

Patrick G Cox: Preparing a book for publication is a time consuming task, and with deadlines for that and a couple of other tasks (some of them actually paying ones ...) I haven't had a lot of time to visit the site lately. If I've missed anyone's posts and failed to review them - this is why. After this coming week, things may get a little less hectic.

Yeah, and the porcine aviators are on the taxiway and cleared for take-off ...

Patrick G Cox: Just getting ready for a Conference in Belgrade starting Tuesday - so will not be viewing or reviewing for the next three or four days folks. If all goes to plan, I'll be back on Friday!

Patrick G Cox: The last two months seem to have gone past at Light Speed. It has been a busy time, with my daughter's wedding, a short holiday, then lots of catching up on the garden, the Sheltie walk (He's a sheep dog - they need a lot of exercise!) revising one book for the editor, writing another, researching a third and publishing another, and working on trying to market all my books ...

You'll be glad to know (I hope) that I'll soon be able to start posting again (amd reading of course) as some of the pressure eases. Please look out for a new Harry Heron starting soon.

Oh, and something good to share - my book, A Baltic Affair, was published by Indiego ePublishing and is doing very nicely on Kindle and other eBook sales.

Patrick G Cox: My apologies to everyone I normally read and review. This summer is really getting hectic. I am to preach at my youngest daughter's wedding in just under three weeks time, and the sermon has got to be exactly right. We are also having our kitchen units replaced and the new one's are scheduled to be installed the Friday before the wedding. As we are redecorating as well, this means I am in the middle of dismantling the old units, preparing the walls and, of course, trying to sort out all the stuff emerging from cupboards.

We will be in England for three weeks from the 18th July until the 8th August, and as we are travelling in a hired RV, probably not much online either! Why the RV? Because we have Harry vom Goldbachmoor with us, and hotels are funny about dogs, even very aristocratic Shelties.

So my friends, it's a case of I'll see you if I see you!

Patrick G Cox: More excuses. A sick laptop, heat, hayfever and my young dog, Harry are all conspiring to prevent me getting much writing - or reading - done. Oh well, once I stop the sneezing, burning eyes and itching inner ear, maybe I can get the laptop sorted ...

Patrick G Cox: My apologies to any fans still looking out for my work. Family matters, my wife's accident, my new four footed 'teenager' and efforts to market my work have kept me rather busy and away from writing and posting.

Hopefully I'll be able to get back to my former routine soon.

Patrick G Cox: I'm going to be a bit 'absent' from the site for a bit. My wife had a bad fall and is in hospital with a broken arm. My apologies to anyone who feels I'm ignoring their posts ...

Patrick G Cox: A Baltic Affair has just gone digital and is now available for Kindle, Nook and iBook/iPad. This is a new venture for me, but not for my publisher. It will be very interesting to see how it goes.

Patrick G Cox: A Baltic Affair has been published by IndieGo ePublishing of Miami, Florida. It will be available as an eBook on Kindle, Nook, etc and in Paperback through all the usual outlets within the next week or so ...

Let's just say, I'm rather pleased with the published version. The cover was designed by a lady called Kura Carpenter in New Zealand and it is stunning. Worth buying the book just for the cover.

Patrick G Cox: A very merry and blessed Christmas to all Fanstorians, may the coming year bring all you hope for.

Patrick G Cox: Thought it was time for a profile picture change - me, in my more hirsute phase around 1976 ...

Patrick G Cox: Time seems to be in very short supply at present, with A Baltic Affair, slightly revised, due to be published by Indiego ePublishing in the next couple of weeks, a project for my former employers to write a history of the place and an expression of interest in another of the Harry books which needs to be addressed. The script needs more work, and a new puppy - a Sheltie named Harry vom Goldbachmoor - is also demanding a lot of time and attention ...

Patrick G Cox: Phew! The script version of one of my Harry Heron stories is now with a Movie Director, so here's hoping ... The revisions and corrections I needed to make to A Baltic Affair are also now complete, now it gets its next edit from the editor and, hopefully moves to the layout and publishing stages.

Two projects down and four to go. At least it keeps me out of mischief, but doesn't leave a lot of time for reviewing here or further writing on my bio at this stage.

Patrick G Cox: Two bits of excellent news - but both mean a lot to be done. First, my publisher has sent their edits for the first 18 Chapters of A Baltic Affair. It's going to mean a few revisions and some additions and changes, but they make sense. So that will have to get some attention pronto. The same publisher likes my style and now wants to work with me to publish Ego Sum, my St Patrick story, so that is really good news.

At the same time, I've just had feedback from the guy wanting me to turn the Harry Heron stories into movies. He's a movie producer himself, though not of the blockbusting sort. His appraissal of the script outline I have produced so far is "excellent" - but there is still a lot to do before he can take it to the money-men.

Ohhh-kay. Guess I didn't really need to sleep between Midnight and six a.am.

Patrick G Cox: Looks like the demands are increasing at the moment. I'm struggling to turn my book, Out of Time" into a film script as there has been an expression of interest into turning the Harry Heron stories into movies - but first it has to be turned into the appropriate form.

Who knew the format for scripts hasn't changed since the silent movies were first produced? Where am I, in Europe, going to find US Letter sized paper ...

This may take a while and my reading and posting may suffer ...

Patrick G Cox: I should probably apologise to everyone I usually read and review - it's been a very demanding four weeks, with our 'church' wedding (In Germany the 'Civil' part is obligatory and a 'religious' ceremony optional - we chose to do both, but couldn't get the dates closer) and with the preparations for that, plus a little 'us' time ...

Anyway, in between I've had an approach to put together outlines to turn my Harry Heron books into films, so they can be touted round various potential production houses, so that is demanding a lot of time as well. I'm not sure about 'normal service' but I'm working on it.

Patrick G Cox: The next five or six days are going to be incredibly busy so I will be unlikely to reply to or review anyone, for which I apologise.

Normal service will, I hope, resume toward the middle of next week. Why? My wife and I are about to have our civil marriage confirmed in our Church. We are Old Catholics here in Germany and we are celebrating in the Friedenskirche (Peace Church), Wiesbaden on Saturday and will have loads of family to look after for a few days ...

Patrick G Cox: Just back from celebrating my youngest daughter's 28th birthday in London - and I haven't even got to her birth yet in my bio ....

Apologies to all those who left reviews and notifications of work - I'm working my way down the lists.

Patrick G Cox: Just thought I'd have another blast from the past as a profile picture. I'm not sure when it'll appear. Me - aged 14 posed for a bit of trick photgraphy ... The legs are my friend Trevor Inskip's ...

Patrick G Cox: Just started posting what will eventually be a 'family' book as my now adult children want to know more of my 'life story.' Can't think why. It is proving tricky to write and this first draft is in a sort of chronological order but is mainly my reminiscences, the good, the bad and the hilarious somewhere along the line.

Patrick G Cox: A couple of health issues have cropped up for me, so I'm not spending a lot of time at my computer at the moment.

Normal service will return as soon as my diverticulitus is once more hammered into submission!

Patrick G Cox: Oh boy. Its been a busy week. I apologise to folk I normally review and haven't, there simply hasn't been time to do much here. Tomorrow we head out for a weekend with our church and I won't be online at all for the next two or three days. See you all next Monday - maybe.

Patrick G Cox: We had a fabulous holiday in Denmark and we're now slowly catching up with things like thank you notes, gardening, laundry ...

Writing is making some demands as well, as "A Baltic Affair" has found a publisher. So now I have to clean up the MS, make a few changes to the text and get it ready for their editors. It will be available in e-formats as well as print versions sometime in October - maybe.

Naturally I'm excited, but it also means I've not got a lot of time for the other books I'm trying to get ready to push out, yet again, to selected agents and publishers ...

Patrick G Cox: Following a two year battle with the German authorities to get our marital status sorted out, we've finally won. Germany doesn't recognise any "remarriage" if it hasn't happened in Germany - for the very simple reason some middle Eastern immigrants have abused the German citizenship laws in the past. That makes it tough on everyone else. The paper chase has been entertaining, frustrating and unbelievably difficult at times, but we've won.

On Saturday we will go through the German Civil Marriage process and be "legally married" under German law. This resolves a lot of legal issues, and we're celebrating with a holiday on the North Sea coast in rented Danish farmhouse starting next week.

We have a houseful of friends and family over the weekend, to entertain and take care of and then we're off to Demark for some much needed relaxation. This means, of course, that I won't be posting or reviewing here for the next couple of weeks, but hopefully we'll both be hugely refreshed when we get back.

Patrick G Cox: I've just had another newbie who obviously hasn't read the Rating Guidelines give me a 2 Star Review with a comment that made me wonder if, like Pooh Bear, the person concerned is "bothered by Big Words." What exactly they meant by - quote:

"i thought there was too much said but not enough thought put behind the meaning of the words."

If it came from someone who bothered to capitalise the personal pronoun there, or who offered an insight into what they liked or didn't like, I might be more prepared to take it seriously, but frankly, I'm putting this one alongside my collection of idiotic suggestions - like that of the Emperor who told Mozart his Piano Sonata had "too many notes - just take a few out."

Some mother's do 'ave 'em" as they say in parts of the UK ...

Patrick G Cox: Several projects on the go at the moment, all time consuming, and none of them helped by my putting my back out rather badly on Tuesday. It's responding to my doctor's treatment though ...

Anyone know where I can get a new spine? It would help!

Patrick G Cox: Oh dear. I seem to have hit a run of these. A new chapter, another 4 and the comment is -

This must be a good read for military buffs. As for me, it feels like I am a fly on the wall of a war that is far removed from what I would care about. Then again, I am not a military buff.

If it was a newbie I'd have a bit more tolerance, but the comment comes from someone who has been on the site since 2006, though apparently has never read the guidelines -

The site offers a six star scale for ranking work. Here's a guideline:

Six Stars (Exceptional: Simply Outstanding)
Five Stars (Excellent: Enjoyable and no revisions needed)
Four Stars (Good: Adjustments needed)
Three Stars (Below average)
Two Stars (Below Average: Needs lots of work)
One Star (Poor: Major revision required)
When writing a review we encourage you to give feedback to the author.

I don't mind a rating under 5 as long as the person awarding it makes some constructive criticism and suggests something. Lately I've had a few too many of these meaningless statements and a 4 or lower.

Sorry folks, but it is starting to get me down.

Patrick G Cox: Just for fun - me, shortly before retirement at a reception for HRH The Princess Royal. She is very observant and has a fantastic memory for faces and names. I met her again nine months later in a different setting and out of uniform and she remembered me and where we'd met.

Patrick G Cox: Suffering from the 'helpful' four star awarders again ...

Patrick G Cox: My elderly cat, Madam Paddy Paws, a long haired "Old English" tabby, died on Saturday. We're still getting over her no longer being with us ...

She was 22 and died peacefully in my lap.

Patrick G Cox: Another blast from the past - 1964 and just turned 18 ...

Patrick G Cox: I thought I'd have a bit of fun with the profile photo - taken in 1962 ... I've clipped it out of a 'Class Photo' from that year.

Patrick G Cox: I've recently had a couple of those reviews I think we all get from time to time, usually from Newbies, but not always. The first was to a chapter in my latest Scifi adventure. 1-star accompanied by the comment "I found this to be interesting but also somewhat confusing as well. It is good but does need some improvment in some areas. Good job in some ways." No doubt the author of that thought she was being helpful, or maybe not. Who knows. What it did do was pull the overall rating of the chapter down, initially to 3-stars, then, after another 5-star review, to 4-stars overall. Eventually, despite landing at least one 6-star (From one of the really good reviewers on this site) it wound up as a 5 overall.

Today I've just had another like it. This time from a newbie. 4-stars accompanied by "I thought that was brilliant! Ive always been a star trek fan and this just reminded me of that. Makes me want to nip out and buy the book. Really good, enjoyed it"

Please folks, if it was that good, why dock a star? What needs improving in your view? Was there something, perhaps, needing correction? If so please, please, tell the author in your review. It really does get frustrating to work hard to polish a piece, to revise it, edit it, make the corrections you can find - and then get that kind of review and rating. I know the site allows you to 'mute' someone like that, but I don't want to do that, nor do I want to see my overall rating trashed by someone playing with the ratings.

Lets be fair about it, the star rating system is self explanatory. What's so hard about reading what they are about and using them appropriately?

Patrick G Cox: Hi folks, if you're wondering where I've got to, I'm still around and still writing, but life intervenes at present. I'm very busy revising EGO SUM, but I've also started a new Harry Heron story and I'm in the last stages of publication for the fourth book in the Harry Heron series ON THE RUN.

THEIR LORDSHIPS REQUEST and OUT OF TIME the first two books in the Harry Heron series are also now available for Kindle, PC and iPad eBooks and convertng them has been quite an interesting experience. Hopefully, in the next few days, I'll also have some video book trailers available for all four Harry Herons on YouTube.

OK, that's surely enough from me. Watch this space. In the infamous words uttered by a certain Big Arnie "I'll be back!"

Patrick G Cox: Just thought I'd better explain why I'm not posting much at present. I'm writing two papers for a conference to be held in October and they have to be finished so they can be translated by mid-Spetember. Not easy as they need a lot of research.

On top of that I'm trying to revise my book EGO SUM and oversee the publication of the latest 'Harry Heron' with Abbot Press. It is currently with the editor and she is quite a hard taskmistress. With my German lessons on top of everything else, things are a little hectic at present.

Patrick G Cox: I'm currently preparing two of my books for publication in e-format and another for "traditional" publication which will include an e-version. It's tough going and doesn't allow a lot of time for new writing...

Patrick G Cox: Thanks to all of you for this tremendous compliment. I have to say that the help and encouragement I have received here has improved my writing no end. To say that I was stunned to see it announced is an understatement!

FanStory wrote to Patrick G Cox: Congratulations! The May winner of the Recognized Writer reward.

Patrick G Cox: Thought a change of Profile Pic was called for. This was taken back in 1982 during a race. I am sailing a 'Fireball' a 16 foot racing class, sail number K1013 and named appropriately, 'Extravagance.' She was my pride and joy, fast, skittish and pure adrenalin rush to sail.

Patrick G Cox: The Textbook is finally finished and handed over. 120,000 words plus illustrations and photos ...

I undercharged to do it for professional reasons, what I am after is getting my name into a wider audience and I was up against competition to write it. In the end I got it on expertise and price. Maybe the price WAS too low ...

Patrick G Cox: Ninety-five thousands words completed on my text book - to be titled "The IFE Guide to Fire Investigation" and about another 15 - 20,000 to go. Then we start the editing and cleaning up, publication is scheduled for August so there's a lot to do before then!

Patrick G Cox: My book, "Their Lordships Request... A Harry Heron Adventure" is now on sale on Amazon. It was supposed to have appeared a month ago, but delays in the final production of Galleys etc., prevented that. Never mind, its here now...

Patrick G Cox: Just a quick visit to wish everyone on FS a very merry Christmas and a great new year.

Patrick G Cox: My republished The Enemy is Within! is on sale at Amazon. It can be found at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=9781453575512&x=0&y=0

Patrick G Cox: The new version of The Enemy is Within! has gone up on Amazon as of yesterday, but I expect it will be a week or three beofre they get the cover pic up!

Patrick G Cox: Frankfurt was interesting, tiring and hopefully useful in the long run...

Now back to writing my text book.

Patrick G Cox: I'm at the Frankfurt Book Fair for the next two days - hoping for a miracle and some interest in my books....

Patrick G Cox: My novel, The enemy is Within! has gone on sale on the Xlibris website. I have to say that working with them has been a real pleasure. I am also very pleased with the Website they have created for me -

http://www2.xlibris.com/books/webimages/wd/UK/300925/index.html

Patrick G Cox: Working hard on my text book commission which means not a lot of time for other writing or reading at present. Still, around 30,000 words done and only another 50k or so to produce, research and get onto the MS... and then it has to be illustrated with photos, sketches and ...

Patrick G Cox: Just signed off the cover and the galley on the reprint of my novel "The enemy is within!" This version is by Xlibris and will be on e-book, hardback and paperback versions. Watch Amazon please folks - it should be up in about four weeks!

Patrick G Cox: Sadly I have had a rejection slip from the publisher looking at Ego Sum, but I'm now working through a 'vetting site' used by publishers and I'm attending the Frankfurt Book Fair as an "Author in Booth." Perhaps the saint will move someone ...

Patrick G Cox: Thought it was time for another change of image.

Patrick G Cox: I've just received a commission to write a new handbook on fire investigation for an International Institution. This will be the second 'text book' I have written for them.

Patrick G Cox: Change of image again - my 'other' vocation. In the robes of Deacon for the Sung Eucharist.

Patrick G Cox: All dressed up in my Master of Arts robes at Coventry Cathedral. Seems a long time ago now.

Patrick G Cox: Ego Sum has been extremely well received here on FS and is now with a publisher who seems to be keen on it as well. I have been stunned by the response so many readers have made to it and flattered by several of the chapters being nominated at various times for competitions. I really do appreciate the support and encouragement.

Patrick G Cox: Just thought it was time to show another face...

Patrick G Cox: Coming to the end of a book in which you've invested several years of research and with whose subject you've formed an attachment is quite tough - almost like a death in the family!

Thanks to all of you who have supported Ego Sum with your ratings and comments.

Patrick G Cox: I was interviewed for TV by The Book Channel (Sky 166, Monday. Wednesday and Friday at 19.30 hrs and Free View 406). The Channel also has a slot on YouTube - I'd love to know what anyone here thinks if you have the chance to look up YouTube.com/thebookchanneltv

Patrick G Cox: I was astonished by a Second Place for Ego Sum last month and hope my latest chapter will also do well.

Patrick G Cox: I'm extremely pleased with the third place achieved by my Book "Ego Sum". The book is very much a labour of love and I've been astounded at how well received it has been. Thanks to everyone who supported it and voted for it.