Someone should write a book called ‘101 ways to fob off aspiring authors.’

I phoned a book shop today and asked to speak to the fiction buyer. The lady who answered said ‘Unfortunately sir, that won’t be possible as the shop is currently on fire.’

Suffice to say I was impressed. Most people just say that they’re not taking on new writers. I replied with, ‘Surely if the fire was that serious you wouldn’t have stopped to pick up the phone?’

She hung up.

This is the second time in a week that someone has used a similar excuse.

On a positive note - I’ve started submitted work direct to the Publishing houses…