Phil Simpkin - Author

Hey Guys; After all the recent hype, I thought I'd better follow requests, and create a fan page on Facebook, especially for my 'Borough Boys' Series, So here it is... https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Borough-Boys/368938166555376 Please take a look, and the more 'LIKES' the better! Thanks Phil

At one point this afternoon, I got a message, all the way from Greece, announcing that my book was sitting at #72 in the Amazon 'Mystery' category, 1 place above James Herbert's 'Lair' and one below one of Lee Childs' novels. Wow, I thought, listed with the best! I went to look for myself and was shocked to find my book at #70, jointly, with Stieg Larrson, with 'The girl with the Dragon tattoo'. I know it is the Amazon Kindle algorithms working, but boy, what a buzz! The I got a review through from USA for 'Leicestershire Myth & Legend - in verse', which kindly referred to me as a 'Bard' and disappointment that I had not included more tales... Days don't get much better than this! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!! (I know I shouldn't but I did!!!!!!!)

Hey Guys; I would like to say a big thank you to those of you that have bought my book 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' so far this weekend. As of five minutes ago, it was shown as #1,197 in the overall Kindle store, and more importantly, #74 in the category of 'Mysteries'. For those of you who have not yet purchased it, it is available for no charge, up to and including Easter Monday, through Amazon KDP, or to borrow through their library service (prime members). The link to the sales page can be found below;- CLICK HERE

Hey guys; For those of you who are in Leicester, or who may be visiting Leicester in the foreseeable future, may I make a recommendation to you. My first novel, 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' which is on sale now, has a lot of its storyline centred on Leicester Guildhall, as it is now, and as then was 'Leicester Town Hall and Police Station'. I went back myself a couple of weeks ago, and every room I went into, and outside in the courtyard, my characters flooded to me. This is a beautiful old building, and full of character. Once you have read 'Jack Ketch's Puppets', pop in, and imagine the site as I have described it in 1850, and feel my characters - I am sure you will bump in to one or two! 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' out now. Free this weekend on Amazon KDP (Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April 2013 inclusive. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Ketchs-Puppets-Borough-ebook/dp/B00C0ZQTUS/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364317134&sr=1-

Hey guys; For those of you who are in Leicester, or who may be visiting Leicester in the foreseeable future, may I make a recommendation to you. My first novel, 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' which is on sale now, has a lot of its storyline centred on Leicester Guildhall, as it is now, and as then was 'Leicester Town Hall and Police Station'. I went back myself a couple of weeks ago, and every room I went into, and oustide in the courtyard, my characters flooded to me. This is a beautiful old building, and full of character. Once you have read 'Jack Ketch's Puppets', pop in, and imagine the site as I have described it in 1850, and feel my characters - I am sure you will bump in to one or two! 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' out now. Free this weekend on Amazon KDP (Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April 2013 inclusive. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Ketchs-Puppets-Borough-ebook/dp/B00C0ZQTUS/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364317134&sr=1-

Hey Guys; For your information, I now have my own author site on Goodreads The site can be found HERE

Review of Jack Ketch’s Puppets A blend of fictional story telling interwoven with historical insight makes for an enthralling and interesting read.   This novel of crime and detection brings to life a Victorian Leicester, with each page exposing the reader to an increasing understanding of the environment of the time.   The storyline reveals both goodness and depravity of the human condition, with twists and surprises right through to the end.   I look forward to reading more stories about the ‘good guy’ characters from this (first time) author. JMA Beardmore

Hey guys; After what has seemed like an eternity, and a particular long week of edit, after edit, after edit, and several final proof readings... 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' , the first in my 'Borough Boys' series of novels based on Victorian  Crime fighters in Leicester, England, in 1850, is out from today . Initially available through Createspace e-store - see link <CLICK HERE> Shortly as a Paperback through Amazon.com; Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.Eur. Also to follow through FeedARead for UK distribution purposes, shortly. Also as an ebook through Mindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select programme, to buy or lend... I hope you enjoy, should you wish to buy or borrow!

I was a little concerned, when using the 'Createspace' self-publishing process, that they recommended not just relying on proof reading of my first two books 'on-screen' or as PDF files, but to buy a hardcopy proof. 'Hello' I thought, just another way to make a few quid, in the publishing grinder! Also, a further delay in getting the book out there? But no. I stand corrected. When my beautiful new novel arrived, I was elated. It was only when I started to turn the pages, that I realised that there was still much work still to do. Why it did not look such an issue 'on screen'? I do not know. Perhaps it's my mild form of dyslexia, and I see things differently? Whatever...the outcome has been for a major edit. Lots of silly punctuation fixes, and a major decision to 'prune' radically. I could see that there was still too much 'tell' and it needed cutting back, and it was not so evident electronically. I have now just submit

Hey guys; I have just found out that I have received the most votes this week, in Poets of G+ 'Prompt of the week', with my poem 'Killing Time' which you can find on my blog at... http://1455bookcompany.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/killing-time.html Thanks to the team at G+ for keeping these competitions alive and challenging!

Having suffered a miserable afternoon at the hands of the Welsh (England lost at Rugby, if you didn't know), I was cheered immensely, when a white van man pulled up, and delivered a package. Surely not? Earliest delivery due after 21st March... But yes, my new version 'Leicestershire Myth & Legend' in paperback for proofing! Absolutely stunning. Looks far better than in the preview from Createspace! One minor manufacturing fix and that's it! Yo! Can't wait!

Hey guys! I have just been delighted to find that Feedaread are now advertising my two books on their 'out shortly' pages. You can see what appears, by clicking on the following links. http://www.feedaread.com/books/Jack-Ketchs-Puppets.aspx http://www.feedaread.com/books/Leicestershire-Myth-and-Legend-In-Verse.aspx

Hey guys! On Tuesday evening, my wife and I attended a folk music night at Leicester Guildhall, with the legendary Martin Carthy (Great concert Martin!). As those of you who have read the previews to my first novel 'Jack Ketch's Puppets' will know, in 1850, the Guildhall was then Leicester's Town Hall, and incorporated the Police Station, Head Constable's House, and Courts, as well as Mayoral offices and Parlour. This was the first time I had been back since last November, when I spent quite a long time down there, picturing what it would have been like in 1850, and who would have been wandering about, what they would have been doing, etc. This was particularly true of what was then the Police Station rooms on the ground floor at St Martins end of the site. What struck me on Tuesday? I was surrounded by my characters and by my plot, the minute I walked through the doors. They came up and nodded or said hello, and I could see them and feel them, as I had

This review is from: A Thistle in the Mist (Kindle Edition) This is a tale of Death; Love; Betrayal; Deception; Friendship; Loyalty; Faith; Determination, and Justice.  Meara MacDonald's roller-coaster life twists and turns through a variety of events, in this absorbing read.  A cleverly and beautifully crafted read, there is something for everyone, throughout.  I was anxious that it might be a bit 'girly' for my usual taste, but Megan has woven mystery, intrigue and male lines throughout, and those, without wishing to give any more away, are brilliantly and accurately researched.  Megan's choice of word, throughout, is stunning and at the same time spell-binding! A great first novel.

Hi Guys; I have come to realise these last few weeks how many of you are scattered across the Globe. I don't know how you go about increasing your visibility, but I would like to make an offer, and would be even happier if it was something that we could all share and reciprocate. On my Website www.1455bookcompany.com , I am using the Home page to showcase other talent, whether that be a fellow Author, an artist for cover work, etc. Currently , I am showing a link to the website of Canadian Author Megan Denby, who has been very welcoming and helpful to me over these weeks. I hope that this will expose Megan to some of my connections, particularly here in the UK. If any of you would like to, or be happy to be featured on my website, please let me know. Of course there is a catch. In a couple of weeks time when my first two books are released, I might well do with a bit of exposure in your neck of the woods.

I would like to use this page to showcase some of the diverse material I am now producing... This week (commencing Monday 4th March 2013) has been a very interesting week for me. I have been very fortunate, to be selected as winning writer in two group competitions, for short story entries. The biggest pleasure has been in the Writers Discussion Group, where I posted this little dark number. The prompt was a picture of a Circus, and the rule was 600 words or less, starting with the line... 'I never told anyone...' Here it is. 'The Fire Breather' I never told anyone. It was safer, hindsight being such a wonderful thing, to say nothing and just hope that it never occurred again. I was running out of choices though. How many circuses were still out there? I had left the last one rather hurriedly, and was so, so close to coming unstuck. The one thing I had gained from all those years working under the ‘Big Top’ was the way a person could be so eas

By the time I got to Woodstock According to the local news ‘Bout a Half a million people Were descending on Woodstock blues Them roads were jammed for miles around The fields, with mud they oozed The air was thick with dope and sound As we gathered for Woodstock blues My first Free love was tasted Amongst long straggling queues With those who waited patiently To get some Woodstock blues On Friday rain descended Muddy Water filled my shoes Richie Havens warmed the audience With his rhythmic Woodstock blues On Saturday, more famous bands Flew in - cos of them queues Santana, Who and Mountain They sung their Woodstock blues Whilst Joplin stirred it up again The peaceful of us snoozed kept our heads down in the pouring rain Making love to Woodstock blues Sunday into Monday, Site high on dope or booze It all became electrifying   With Hendrix’ Woodstock blues By Monday, hell, the place was rammed Half a million, all

Why was it that calls from about two in the morning always took me to some strange events? “They’ve taken my sister, they’ve taken my sister” came the shrill cry from the other end of the ‘999’ call. The caller sounded female, distressed and elderly, based on the Police operator’s years of experience. “What is your name caller?” said the concerned operator, listening intently to the faltering voice. “Edith, Edith Merryweather” came the weepy response. “And your sister’s name?”  “Marjorie, she’s seventy-six, the same age as me, and she’s been very poorly” said the caller. “Where has this happened?” “What do you mean?” asked the caller. “Where has your sister been taken from?” “Here, she just been taken, the doors are all still wide open” said the caller. “And what is the address?” “225 Mere Road” said the old lady “Please hurry, I don’t know where they’ve taken her” weeping turning to full blown sobs. “We have some officers on their way to you now; you wait

Abe was having a bad day, again... It was about midnight as he walked down the short flight of stairs from the ‘Watch’ room on the first floor of the old Fire Station in Asfordby Street, and he was in a foul mood. Slamming the door behind him as hard as he could, he was in no mood for stupidity again, tonight. His feet sounded loud against the worn brown ‘lino’ which covered the wooden stairs, and his fire boots echoed with every slow, deliberate, careful step. Reaching the door to the middle room, adjacent to where the pump was normally parked up, he pushed the door inwards and strode into the brightly lit room. The two men, writing up their notes and having a brew, were obviously startled, and visibly horrified as he opened the door and walked in. “Don’t know what you two have got to be scared of? It’s only me. Who did you think it was?” as he walked through to the door opposite, which would take him through to the rest room and kitchen. Neither man s