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I never set out to be an author but, as a descendant of John Hemming who was Shakespeare's best friend and an editor of Shakespeare's collected plays, I suppose it was in the blood. I have however concentrated not on history, nor much on tragedy but on the comic side of life with the Horace Horrise books about the UK's favourite ever-so-slightly dysfunctional family.
Back in 2008 I became a scout leader. From there it all went a bit crazy; it normally does apparently.
I soon discovered that most children are very funny, albeit unintentionally. This is probably no surprise to other leaders, teachers and parents. Over the course of the next few years I started to make notes on the amusing things that the young people said or did. Every meeting threw up a humorous incident or comment. Conversations with other leaders became a rich seam to be tapped, and in 2013 I started work on putting this material into a book. "In You Go! A year or two in the life of a scout leader" was the result. It was published in 2014 to critical acclaim and has been in print ever since. There were a few who told me that they didn't have time to read a whole book even though it is in chapters of individual stories.
Other books soon followed and I eventually found myself expanding out of the scouting world mostly writing about the dysfunctional Horrise family through the eyes of the adventurous eleven-year-old Horace.
The Horace Horrise books are written in such a way as to appeal everyone, but especially older children and adults. They are designed to bring a smile to the reader's face. One Amazon reviewer wrote of "The Adventures of Horace Horrise Collection," a nine book short-story series, "The author has written a collection of fantastic books about the “misadventures“ of a hapless scout and his funny experiences based on common knowledge by collective scout leaders; this is not just for scouts, this is for everyone who has a child and wants to relate to mishaps and the thinking process of teenagers. Best Christmas present EVER." There were a few who told me that they didn't have time to read through nine books even though they were short stories. So...
...I next wrote "The Very Secret Diary of Horace Horrise." This is 366 micro-stories for those who can only manage a few pages at a time. I then found that those who intended so to do sat down and read the book in one go! "Have to admit had the giggles from the start. Then every now and then tears were streaming down my face. Don't know how you do this but please keep it up. Brilliant."
Other books include collections of games, activities and skits, as well as more Horace adventures..
October 2022 saw the publication of 101 ski stories, "If Gondolas Could Talk." Everyone who skis has a ski story. This book includes a selection of the very best. It's been described by Scout & Scouting magazine as "extremely funny."
In 2023 I edited Transformative Testimonies - a book that will change your life.
I am very humbled to have some of my writings favourably compared to Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole and to have Horace compared to Richmal Crompton's William and Michael Bond's Paddington Bear.
Mirth mostly guaranteed or your money back!
I will sign books and add a message if required. Simply message me with what you would like as soon as you've placed your order.
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