PETER COOKE – Author and Publisher

The ash cloud over the UK had a great effect on the first day of the fair.  There were many gaps in the programme and personally I had a lot of meetings cancelled.  Thanks to the meetings arranged through the Independent Publishers Guild, the second day was very good.  I had a number of extremely interesting meetings and made some good contacts which I hope will bearo fruit in the near future.  I’ll keep you informed.

As I suspected in January, it has proved impossible to have the book finished in time for the London Book Fair.  I have made very good progress writing the first draft and I now hope to have the finished manuscript ready for July.  It has been extremely difficult to keep the history as accurate as possible whilst making it a fast-paced read.  The events leading up to the trial of Mary Stuart are very complex and it has been necessary to simplify some sections without compromising the true facts.

My aim is, as always, to achieve an interesting look at the characters behind the bare facts of historic events, without either changing or compromising the true picture.  Fiction it may be, but it is as near to the real events as I can make it.  It is very easy to aply 21st century morals to events in the 16th century, without realising that in doing so, it affects the way you portray your historical characters.  Also if you alter the way that events occur to make a better story, it is important, in my view, to acknowledge the changes you have made.  Otherwise, there is a risk that people, not knowing the true story will believe the fictional one.

We have just come back from a cruise to 11 islands in the Caribean that we booked many months ago.  It was a wonderful time on the excellent Ocean Village I that will soon be moving to new pastures in Australia, although not before a summer season in the Med.  We both like the relaxed atmosphere on board and as with our previous experience two years ago, we were very appreciative of the way the ship is run.  Well done Ocean Village, sorry to see you go.

Much has been said and written in the media about the problems being experience by various models including the Prius.  I can honestly say that I have had no problems at all with my Prius since I bought it in November 2009.  I have however, now had the software update, which was ahndled very well.

rom my experience, I have to say that the affair was handled well.  My queries were answered promply and the update was carried out with the minimum of fuss.   I am very pleased with the Prius and find driving it a pleasuer.

Work on the third book of the Glassmaker Series has fallen well behind schedule due to getting married last year.  Selling the house and organising the wedding at short notice due to the vicar’s sabtical in January, meant little time for the book.  I am pleased to say that I’m back writing again and progress has been good so far.  Hope to push on now and get the book published later in the year.  It would be great to have it by the London Book Fair in April, but I fear that is unrealistic.  I will see how it goes .

Well thats the end of the first decade of the century.  2009 turned out to be a good year after a very bad start.  After settling down to married bliss, Christmas was our first as a new family.  It was great .   Charles, my son & I made the meal on Christmas day.  Just!  By the time we eventually had it ready, it was about 9.30 pm!  However, it was worth the wait and we had a super time opening presents from our stockings.  A new(old) tradition to us.

On Boxing Day we took our courage in both hands and went for a drive in upper Wharfedale.   The roads were not too bad and the winter scenery was absolutely stunning.  We were hoping to go up Coverdale, but the roads were really too bad, so we settled for afternoon tea at Zarina’s traditional tearoom in Kettlewell.  An inspired choice.  We had tea and the best homemade scones with jam and cream that I’ve tasted in many a long day.  The room was cosy and warm from the log-burning fire and the natives were very friendly.

Before we left, there was time to make a few purchases including an autographed copy of the latest Calendar Girl poster.  Readers who have seen the film will probably know that Kettlewell was the main location for the film.  The ladies have done a magnificent job of raising money and I believe it has already changed some lives in the area.

It was a really memorable day and we set off for home replete in all our senses.

We are pleased to announce that Yvonne Crabtree’s new book “Oh no! not you again!” will be available in early November.  The book is the second part of the inspiring story of Yvonne’s Life with Pete Series and has been attracting a great deal of attention from the press and media.  |To date There has been a full pae artricle in the Lie & Style supplement of the Yorkshire Post, an interview with BBC Radio Leeds and The Pulse. Interviews have taken place with several magazines, including Writers Forum, First Edition, Take a Break, Choice and Easy Living. Here is the gist of the story
1.TELLING IT HOW IT IS: A TALE OF A DOWN’S SYNDROME LIFE
Shush! You can’t admit that! Well Yvonne Crabtree does as she tells all in her new book ‘Oh no! Not you again!’ Witness a roller-coaster of emotions as she tells of her life with her son Pete.
Down’s syndrome is often a hushed up affair. No parent wants to announce that they’re living a nightmare or they sometimes wish this wasn’t their life. Crabtree however, broke this silence with her best-seller ‘For Pete’s Sake!’ and now she is all set to do it again with the sequel.
Not that her life with Pete has been a nightmare. Not at all. Testing, emotional, and hard work but also funny, loving and highly memorable. Her new release sees Pete tackle adult life through his twenties, and swinging they certainly are! Pete settles into sheltered accommodation, introduces his mum to various girlfriends and starts a number of new jobs.
The reader yet again goes on a journey with both Yvonne and Pete and is fully invited into the emotional experience. You will be laughing, crying and fully engrossed right up to the last page. Crabtree provides a unique insight into the life of both Pete and herself as the family copes with the effects of Down’s Syndrome. A once not talked about subject is thrust upon you and opens your eyes to the fact that above anything else Pete is a person just like you or me.
Yvonne Crabtree, author says: “Despite Pete’s various problems, he has good language and an excellent sense of humour and I’ve always had a wealth of stories and anecdotes to relate about him over the years. I was eventually persuaded to write them all down and in doing so hoped to raise a bit of cash for the home where Pete lives, as well as awareness of what life can be like for the families of people with Down’s Syndrome. Life with Pete is a bit like doing a complicated jigsaw whilst wearing a blindfold – he didn’t come with an instruction booklet, so we find ourselves groping our way along, trying to help him as best we can. We may not always succeed but one thing is for sure – life is never dull!”
Like Pete, one in every 800 babies will be diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. Also called Trisomy 21, the condition is caused by extra genetic material which delays the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. The disorder received its name from John Langdon Down, the doctor who first identified it.
A child is typically born with 46 chromosomes. A child who has Down’s syndrome however, has 47, in 95% of cases obtaining an extra 21st chromosome. This is not hereditary or due to anything during pregnancy but simply a less common genetic sequence that could occur within anyone.
On average people with Down’s Syndrome live into their 50’s and 60’s and whilst life may be a little bit harder, they enter employment, have loving relationships and are guaranteed to drive their parents crazy, just like Pete!
Not only is Crabtree’s book a delightful read but the prequel raised over £2000 for John Gaffney Care Home and the profit raised from the sale this book will all go to be held in trust for the sole use of the residents of The John Gaffney Home in Bradford, which is a specialist residential home for people with a range of disabilities.
Published by Petan Publishing and costing just £7.99, ‘Oh no! Not you again!’ can be purchased directly from Petan Publishing on-line at www.petanpublishing.co.uk.

2009 started very badly, in fact definitely terribilis.  My mother Kathleen, a very sprightly ninety-two year old, had a massive stroke.  My partner Ann, was ill and undergoing test after test and I had a nasty virus infection that required two courses of antibiotics to sort out.  My mother died in March and as the weeks went on, I was ill again and we had still no reason for Ann’s condition.  At least we had ruled out a lot of nasties and of course we consoled ourselves with the thought that there were huge numbers of people worse off and we were still together.

It wasn’t until July that things began to improve and teribils turned to mirabilis.  Ann and I decided to get married and we at last received a diagnosis for Ann and treatment began to take effect.  The wedding will be in October in Wharefedale.

Further good news this month.   The new website for Petan Publishing www.petanpublishing.co.uk that had been completely stalled since the beginning of the year, suddenly came to fruition and is now launched.  So, mirabilis it is and watch this space..