The free version of Weebly (which is absolutely great by the way) only allows a certain number of pages on your site and a restricted number of items in the Store.
Thus I have now run out of pages to demonstrate all of my work and items that are available and which I might want to display - hence the need for this page.
I hope you won't think it indulgent or inappropriate; but I want everyone who may visit my site to have information on every item that I have available for purchase. This could be seen as part of my 'OCD' (not to make light of it, but I even think it should be CDO, in alpabetical order). This is even more relevant now as I have recently signed up for a Kindle AuthorAccount and even have my very own Author Page!
So, below is a run down (in print or release order) of all titles available via arcmwriting in one way or another. I hope that you'll feel it worth your time to have a closer look and even buy one. Just one. Go on. Give it a go. Please?
Messages to No One [2022] This collection has 106 poems across a wide range of subjects, the Jubilee and death of Queen Elizabeth II, the awful invasion of Ukraine, the fact that our dog Ollie was diagnosed with terminal cancer (in June), a great friend of mine's medical diagnoses (also cancer), seeing a young man walking in the rain wearing a baseball cap when I was parked waiting for my daughter, plus many others.
I changed the format a little, and reduced the amount of photos used in the book which has two benefits I think. It makes the black marks on a white page stand out a little more, and having fewer colour pages reduces the cost of each print run.
On the subject of squiggles on a page, I'm working on a story idea around this conspiracy that we all participate in. I believe that I have written coherent sentences (as if) and they are displayed on the screen that you are looking at now. Whilst you (hopefully) believe that what I have written here is coherent, and using a language and vocabulary that we both understand.
All due to squiggles on a page. How good is that?
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-9-1] Kindle ASIN: B0C4FXY3NN]
AMAZING SKIES [2021] A collection of over 100 poems, this saw a lot of change in my own and my family's life and location. Lisa and Laura moved full time to Horncastle, Lincolnshire in a rented Bungalow whilst we sold our place in Essex and I packed it up alone. We needed to do this as Laura started her new secondary school in Lincolnshire and we were still looking for 'that' house; the one that would be our new home.
I didn't move full time until 2021 and although Lincolnshire is not as flat as people would make you believe; some of its skies are simply stunning. So I chose the title to reflect the wide vistas you see almost around every corner.
This collection is, I feel, my best yet - but you always tend to love the latest work the best. This is full of thoughts, feelings, sights and emotions that describe in poetry my year of 2021.
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-6-0] Kindle ASIN: B0BFSRRLYM]
20/20 HINDSIGHT [2020] My collection of 2020, published in early 2021. I actually made the decision to call this '20/20 Hindsight' early in the year, before the whole world was truly rocked by the arrival and occupation of COVID. I became unwell in late March 2020 and ended up in hospital on a ventilator, not expected to live. I was released back into the wild in mid April and although still extrmeely unwell; I managed to keep writing, keep breathing and keep making progress every day. I developed a mantra over the months; 'Every day is an adventure, every hour a bonus'. Within the pages of my 2020 collection there is sadness, despair, anger, worry, and a little light humour. But to find out what is in there, some of which has been read out on BBC Essex and BBC Radio 4; you'll have to buy the book...
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-5-3] [Kindle ASIN B0BVNCRR4V]
Reflections - Memories of a Woman [2020] This is a reworked and edited version of the novella that I published in 2017 on Kindle only. I knew then I finished it that it was perhaps not everything that it could be, but I had so much going on I thought it important to get it online and 'out there' as soon as I was able once it was finished. So I did.
That might have not been the best idea - I stand by it as a story and original piece of work but I reread it when I met an exciting young artist and creative type who works under the @RubenArt presence. She is an incredible artist and seeing some of her work I just knew that she could create the sort of artwork I wanted for a revised and edited version. And she did.
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-8-4] [Kindle ASIN B01GG2H8FA]
DISTANT ECHOES [2019] Another collection of a year in poetry - this time 2019. The year when COVID was to break the surface of the world's consciousness and become one of the greatest threats to our society in decades. But that was to be in the future. For me, in 2019, I was looking at life around me, the thoughts, feelings and experiences of living in Essex, working on my music (with Keith) and my various creative endeavours. There's a sense of fun, sadness and of (still) being 'different' in the way that I view and experience the world. Over 100 poems, set across 12 poetry 'chapters' it's a walk through my world, and the wider world around me. But there's always the concern; when and what will be the last poem I write?
VOICES in the WILD [2018] My poetry collection of 2018. This collection contains 80 poems written across 2018 and views the personal and world experiences. This follows a similar format to that within the previous poetry diaries. Each month is a specific poetic chapter and contains every poem written that month. Preceding this is the chapter heading with a few notes about that month. This sees us on holiday abroad and at home, meeting a variety of people and it even contains a 'Special Guest Poem' by a lovely waitress (Orla P) we met when in Lincolnshire! Although there is not as many poems as in previous collections - the constant worry of the poet is that there are only so many inside and each one you write sees you move a step closer to having nothing of interest left to say - I am happy at how my collections are maturing in form and content. Not bad considering I'm only 56...
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-1-5] [Kindle ASIN B084DZPRHB]
MOMENTS in TIME [2017] My poetry collection of 2017. Nearly 100 poems written across 2017 and the horrors, laughs and experiences encountered along the way. Dedicated to two of my photography 'chums', it also contains a lot of photographs from my photography course. There are poems about an empty and sold house, a forlorn Teddy sitting on a chair, a poem about the murdered Police Officer Keith Palmer. Killed by a terrorist on Westminster Bridge, London. Other poems are about the smell of grass, rain, the nature of friendship, and poems about my daughter. Over 150 pages designed to entertain and provoke thought and discussion - and at only £2.99 (print) or £1.99 (eBook); it's only a bit more than a cup of coffee... [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2018]
[ISBN 978-0-9935949-0-8] [Kindle ASIN B079HZD9XM]
DANCES of FRIENDSHIP [2017] This is my first collection of short stories to make it into print. There are three stories in this book, all connected by the theme of friendship; what it means and how it is experienced. It is an 'odd' collection in many ways; one is a very short story, one is a re-working of an existing story and the final one was written explicitly for this edition. So, if you like to read something a little different from the norm, something which surfs on a different reality curve; this may be the book for you! [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2017]
REFLECTIONS in the MIRROR [2016] This is a collection of just about every poem written by me in 2016. Over 160 poems - plus a few colour photographs - covering a wide variety of subjects. My work tends to be eclectic, for instance I wrote a poem a day when on a family holiday to Bulgaria, and each one was called 'Poolside' (plus a number), I wrote about Clouds, a man on a beach playing guitar to himself, the cost of a child's lost tooth, the sound of wooden wind chimes in the playground at my daughters school prior to the end of school day riot; plus many, many more. Most artists feel that their current work is their best - and this one is no different. I use these poems like a memory bank; allowing me access to the past and all the glittering prizes it holds to the visitor. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2017]
ALSO now SLEEPING [2017] A second collection in the 'Sleeping' thread - this time regarding the sudden death of my Mother in 2013. This collection has 41 poems which look at the nature of death, grief and sadness from a variety of personal perspectives. Although sad, there is some whimsy and humour within the poetry as it looks at the oddities of death in the 21st Century. One poem ('This is the Day') is being turned into a vignette and will appear on Alan's YouTube Channel soon. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2017]
REFLECTIONS - Memories of a Woman [2017] This is a story about love. In part, about the physical love between people, but also about loss, the complexities of humans and their need to be in a relationship – even when that relationship might not be healthy for anyone concerned. Angles and triangles, love found and love lost, the pleasure and pain that is captured when two (or more) people have love in their hearts.
Whilst not overly salacious, it is not for the young or adolescent or anyone who might be easily shocked. It is full of images, memories and recollections of the characters who play out their lives, loves and disappointments in front of us as time rolls on. [This title is only available in the Kindle digital format at this time. Published 2017]
[ISBN 978-0-9931494-8-1] [Kindle ASIN B01GG2H8FA]
The UnderTow Songbook [2016] A collection of over 130 song lyrics by me for music written by Keith Melhuish whilst we were recording under the collective project ‘UnderTow’. We released a concept album in 2008 titled ‘One Day’ which was available for a limited time on iTunes. Copies of the CD are still available and this title is only available in the Kindle Store at this time. Oh and beware - we are back in the studio again! [This title is only available in the Kindle digital format at this time. Published 2016]
[Kindle ASIN B01DKSXL86]
EMPTY BOATS [2015] Over 90 poems which are again personal, varied, heartfelt and I think display a range of experiences in my life. This collection, the fourth to be published; is a collection of poetry from the last couple of years. It runs from December 2014 to late 2015 and has poems on subject as diverse as Santa, sadness, the morals of others, a sweet offer by a teacher at his Daughter’s school, to the killing of innocents – and the retaliation this created – in Pakistan; as well as thoughts resulting from a family holiday in California, USA. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2016]
[ISBN 978-0-9931494-1-2] [Kindle ASIN B01DLB2F2K]
A Lonely Man’s Diary [2015] A collection of poems written by my son Edward in 2014-15. They deal with love and life and the benefits and drawbacks of living with Asperges syndrome. Some are quite ‘shocking’ in their form and content – a very honest set of poems; laying the poet bare for all to see. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2015]
[ISBN 978-0-9931494-9-8] [Kindle ASIN 01434AE7C]
[The above is the first publication from arcmwriting that is not my own work. The fact that it is a collection of my son’s work means that the work involved was not as difficult as it could have been!]
SILENT as SLEEPING [2015] Over 35 poems on the theme of dying, loss, sadness, grief and recovery. Whilst not an ‘easy’ subject to cover, the poems here deal with the sudden loss of a parent, the thoughts and feelings around this traumatic event in the life of a child (at any age), and how one person dealt with it when it happened to him. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2015]
[ISBN 978-0-9931494-5-0] [Kindle ASIN B01DM1K80K]
POEMS of the PAST [2015] Over 60 poems on a variety of subjects. From a trip through the car wash with my young son, seeing a number of broken umbrellas in the City of London after it had been raining, going for more tests at a local Hospital and the sudden and sad death of Robin Williams; these document some of my thoughts and feelings from 2006 to late 2014. [Available in Paperback or Digital formats. Published 2015]
[ISBN 978-0-9931494-0-5] [Kindle ASIN B01DKOC69A]
... AND COMING SOON ...
'Past Horrors' more short stories [Due in Summer 2023]
Here's a gallery of my book covers and other linked photos...