Hello, readers. It’s been a while, but I wanted to come back and start my column again. I’ll be writing monthly for now, as it’s a rather busy time of year – for reasons I’m sure I’ll go into over the coming months.
You might remember that I took a break from The Isle of Thanet News to finish off a book I was working on and see if I could secure an agent / publisher. So far, however, no joy. The chances were always slim, to be fair. When I was published before, about 15 years ago, I was probably in the right place at the right time. I just need to find that right place, right time, and right book again. I’m working on something new, and that’s something else I’ll write about in future columns. Lots to catch up on.
Since we spoke last, I had a lovely summer holiday with my brilliant son, and we’ve just come to the end of the October half-term. We spent it at home, enjoying our lovely towns. We don’t get into Broadstairs nearly as much as we’d like, as work, school, and Bryan’s after-school activities take us everywhere else. So we made a decision to spend some time in Broadstairs this week.
I’d pointed out Bleak House to Bryan many times over the years, and I had a memory that it had closed down. I googled it this week, however, and found a website that said the museum was open. I was delighted, so we schlepped into Broadstairs. Enquiring in the attached cafe, the kind young woman said no, it was definitely closed. The website is clearly old, and needs to be shut down, in that case.
Instead, we went for a lovely walk around the back streets of Broadstairs, admiring the houses, allotments, and open spaces – and being thankful for such a beautiful town.
I then had a brainwave! The Dickens Museum! That would be lovely. But we had sadly chosen a day it was closed. I’ve never been in the museum, so that’s now moved up my to-do list.
I’d promised Bryan a trip to Creta, the Greek restaurant, so we trekked up the high street thinking fervently about our forthcoming repaste. Alas, they’d gone on holiday, Creta was closed for a while. Still, it’s a good excuse to go back soon.
So we retired to Ed’s Cafe, where Bryan had a jacket potato almost the size of my head, and I enjoyed an omelette. We then pottered up to the library an hour or so, and Bryan walked away with a book on learning Spanish.
The following day, we went back into Broadstairs to play a couple of rounds of mini golf. I had high hopes of winning the second game, but my swing quickly fell apart, and my son once again gained the upper hand. Curses and drat.
It’s been a lovely few months, filled with family time, creativity, and being kept busy. I’ve missed writing this column, and have loved meeting people who read it and have been lovely to me. It’s good to be back, albeit monthly – that works for me right now, so see you in November!
Welcome back! Xx
Why on earth rely on traditional publishers (and their rejections) when you can self-publish on Amazon? I’ve published 21 books that way, and make a quite tidy living without having editors interfering or telling me things would never sell (no traditional publisher is going to want a book on the music of The Swinging Blue Jeans or Showaddywaddy – the likelyhood is they’ll tell me to com up with yet more books on The Beatles and David Bowie instead!). I’m now in the enviable position of turning away agents and offers of “proper” publishers. So, get your work out there, no more excuses! : )
Welcome back, Matthew and I hope you manage to find an agent/publisher soon. Never give up!
He doesn’t need one.
Welcome back. Good to see you on the bus twice last week!
I am curious is he paid for this drivel in the IoTN? Most of my days are full up, despite being in my 9th decade, and there never seems to be enough hours before its time for coco, and bed. Then there’s my daily visit to Ramsgate ASDA, for a newspaper, and a bit of shopping, that should fill up a page or two! My cleaning lady and I had quite a long chat this morning. Duurh!
There are people that enjoy Matthew’s column. If it isn’t for you don’t read it rather than leaving mean comments
Well said Mrs Bailes and I commend you for your opinion. It’s a pity that a few sad souls appear with great frequency on your site.
Well, at least Matthew has an excellent command of the English language. Your syntax is rubbish and your punctuation sloppy. Never complain when you leave yourself wide open for counter criticism.
Dumpton – you are an awful human with your silly posts and negative drivel. Many many of us enjoy the journey Mathew and his son are taking. My suggestion to you is don’t read his column and give us a r3dt!
Should read ‘ give us a rest!’
I agree Kathy.
Ditto.
There are many articles on here that I never read (mostlyif they have anything to do with sports and/or schools), but they’re still of interest to many people.
Some people must lead empty shallow lives if they find his contribution to the IoTN interesting. In the past I never read his drivel, and only did so this time to see if there was anything of interest, there wasn’t, so will go back to not reading it!
It has the edge over your contributions.
Dumpton – His drivel is far better than your diatribes appearing frequently on this site – I am sure you will be missed! As for empty lives?
Welcome back, Matthew. Ignore the miserable Hermit of Dumpton Cave. And heed the wise words of Professor Checkers. Don’t bother trying to write something original in the fiction genre and find a publisher. Research some early 70s pop band, list their recording sessions and what they ate for breakfast, self publish on Amazon and watch the money roll in. Personally I’m awaiting the definitive book on Lieutenant Pigeon, the musical geniuses who wrote and performed “Mouldy Old Dough”, a UK no. 1 in 1972. Get there before Checkers does…
I interviewed the two key surviving members of Lieutenant Pigeon for my first ‘Top of The Pops’ volume, very nice people. Sadly though, I always aim for a minimum of 200 pages, and even an author of my calibre would struggle to come up with that much on the band.
Keep reading, fan!
More seriously, Matthew Munson needs to learn the basics in how to self-promote. On his facebook page there is a link to a website: it doesn’t work.