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It’s always great to see the Tyne Bridge as your train brings you back to civilisation in Newcastle… back to normal, wearing a flat cap and working in a coal mine again while drinking Brown Ale.

London was brill. I met with some great people and made some really useful contacts for the future. I’m now in the process of signing up with an international rights agent, met with some brilliant writers as well as two new signings, Simon Donald and Ronnie Le Drew. Both are now in full swing writing their respective autobiographies for publication next year and it was great to catch up with them. Also met with Andrew Crofts, renowned ghost writer, to discuss a few possible projects. Didn’t have time to meet the Queen though.

I met up with my distributor who gave me an update – November has been the best month in Tonto’s short history and it is all down to splendid team work. Obviously it helps to have published some decent books, but it’s all down to the commitment and dedication of the authors and their willingness to do (almost) anything in the name of promotion. Also in these last few months, it’s been the best time for publicity in Tonto’s history: Charlie Walduck has been on TV twice to promote Slimmer Charlie and will be on the One Show this coming Friday too. A Tonto record for the most TV coverage for a book!

Robert Endeacott has done loads of radio, has had excellent press reviews and interviews and is doing an event with David Peace this Thursday in Wakefield. His first print run sold out in two days – another Tonto record.

Sheila Quigley has been doing loads of book signings, had some great magazine coverage and reviews and will be back at Waterstone’s in Sunderland this Friday. And a Tonto record for quickest-selling… 22 books in the first 22 minutes at the first TRTH signing and then selling out at Waterstone’s the same day.

A big thing in the news last week and this week, as briefly mentioned in my last post, is that Borders have gone into administration. It’s sickening. Borders Team Valley were the first store to buy from Tonto – invoice number TON001, and in cruel ironic fashion, my last three invoices to them totalling £1000 will probably never get paid. Grrrrrrrrr. A Tonto record for the most money lost in unpaid invoices by one store!

It isn’t a good time for publishers. I’m sure there’s loads like me who supply direct who are owed a lot more than I am – there’ll be casualties. This is massive  for the industry. Jobs are already going at their head office, they’ll be going at stores, publishers are owed tens of millions… it all causes a ripple and we’re yet to see the full result. It affects a LOT of people and businesses. We can always live in hope and that’s what we’re doing.

Wish I got that Kung Fu Panda thing when I had the chance.

End on a positive: I’m putting stuff together for that writing / publishing weekend seminar in the next few days and will post up on here and the website. Grateful if any bloggers out there fancy posting it up when it happens.