If you’ve read Mum’s Way, this is a must see. Following publication of the book, the BBC interviewed Ian about losing Angie and a couple of weeks ago the One Show did a follow up piece, filming the family on holiday at Angie’s beloved Thornwick Bay. It’s really moving – and a chance to  see how the family are doing. Poor Alex Jones found it difficult to speak once the VT had finished, bless her. The piece is around three minutes in.

BBC  iPlayer: The One Show 28th May 13

Though part of me thinks no good can come of it, here’s the link to my recent TEDx talk at King’s College London’s TEDx event – Beyond the Gene.

Yes, I’ve watched, from a safe place behind the sofa. And though you might not feel quite so trepidatious I feel I must include here a couple of pointers as an aid to your concentration and viewing pleasure.

1. If you, too, ghost, you might find it quite interesting.

2. I stop saying ‘um’ so much a couple of minutes in.

3. As an aid to health and fitness, doing a TEDx talk works wonders. Since seeing the first still I embarked on a frenzied health and fitness programme. I now weight half a stone less and can lift 20kg.

4. Other TEDx talks are, of course, available.

Only ribbing. It was fun and I’m really rather proud. I’m out there in the TED firmament! Woop de woop

So, the first five are in and already I’m  fascinated. I’ve had a fair few books in translation – most memorably, one Polish translation that had a girl in office garb hanging ten across the cover on a surfboard (well, this was 2000, and plays on the expression ‘surfing the web’ were new and fresh and fab) – but this is the first title I’ve seen published in so many countries at once, and, in some cases, we still have the paperback incarnation to come, as we all know they almost always change the jackets for the paperback market, just to make them a ittle more, well, paperbacky.

Anyway, the point is, I’m just interested, from an artist’s point of view (yes, I’m allowed; I have oil paints AND several grades of pencil) and thought, for no good reason other than simple  connectivity, that I would share them with you  Here they are. A little indicator into national characteristics?  Discuss…  Just speculating. More to come, soon as I get them.  🙂

I’m thrilled to report that The Girl With No Name has gone straight into a Canadian bestseller list, the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia already listing it at number 3. Hurrah! Thank you, good people of BC

Am also fascinated by how different all the jacket treatments are.  Once they’re all out, I’ll pop up them all up together, for those of you who, like me,  have a fascination for such matters…