So what’s this all about then? Well …

Essentially, this is a novel, an academic comedy to be precise, being written in real time.  My previous attempt at fiction was fairly well received so, retired now, I thought I’d try a different genre.

But rather than faff around with finding publishers this time, I thought I’d just knock it out in instalments as an online series.  There are two big advantages to this: (1) I can get feedback from readers and tweak it as I go, and (2) I can ask for small donations from anyone who’s enjoying reading it.  And I’ve a particular plan for (2) …

I retired last year, earlier than I wanted to (or could properly afford to), under difficult circumstances, and I’d always promised my wife that I’d eventually make myself useful somehow.  So, I’ll split any income received 50/50 between topping up the pension pot (to defray my food and lodgings) and a very worthy UK cause: Pauline Town at the Station Hotel.  On the off chance that I do find a publisher along the way, I’ll still honour this commitment for any future revenue.

So, to begin with on this site, you’ve got all the preamble already: this bit about the project, a few words about the author, the cause, a preface and an introduction.  I hope this whets some appetites.

Then Chapter 1 will appear on 1^st March with subsequent chapters becoming available on the 1^st of every month after that.  (I’ve other things to do too, I’m afraid!) Once I’m confident I’m going at a good pace, I’ll try to increase that frequency.  I’m guessing something like 25 chapters of around 3,000 words each eventually, give or take, so a ‘proper’ novel. The sci-fi effort was 125,000 words but I’m not expecting this to be as long.

So there we are; that’s the plan.  Do please get onboard if you’re up for it: share as widely as possible (that’s really helpful), bookmark the page, subscribe to the blog, etc.  I’ll also send out reminders of new material on Twitter (https://twitter.com/vicgrout) and Facebook.  And, if you’re in a generous mood at any point, please donate if you can.

Happy reading!

Vic Grout, February 2023

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