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CALIGULA IS COMING
After an absence of several years I’m returning to the Roman world. On July 30, Turner Publishing will release my biography of Rome’s third emperor, CALIGULA,The Mad Emperor of Rome, in the US. So much misinformation about Caligula has entered the popular imagination over the years, especially via the 1979 movie Caligula, I decided it…
HEROES OF HAMEL SHORTLISTED FOR LITERARY AWARD
I’m delighted to learn that HEROES OF HAMEL is one of four books shotlisted for the Mark and Evette Moran Nib Military History Prize in Sydney. The winner will be announced at a function at the North Bondi RSL on November 21.
REMEMBERING MEETING THE FIRST MAN ON THE MOON
The release of the new movie ‘First Man,’ the story of first man on the moon Neil Armstrong and the 1969 lunar landing, reminds me of when my wife Louise and I met and worked with Neil Armstrong, in Sydney in 1988. Back then we had our own business theatre production company, and Neil was…
All at Sea With a Legend
By coincidence, out of the blue last week I was contacted by Brian Kenning of Washington DC. In the late 1970s Brian was a member of the crew of Robert Stigwood’s super-yacht ‘Sarina.’ That’s Stigwood aboard one of his yachts in the picture – with thanks to Scott Stallard of Bermuda for the photograph. Brian…
On Stage Live With Stigwood
This coming Saturday, September 15, 2018, I’ll be on stage at the Tamar Valley Writers Festival in Tasmania with my friend Ron Stigwood, nephew and former assistant to legendary music, stage and movie producer Robert Stigwood. Ron lived and worked with his uncle in the US during the 1970s and early 1980s, during the height…
TAKING HAWAII SELLING FOR $1.99, ONE DAY ONLY
One of my US publishers, Open Road Media, occasionally does special offers on e-book versions of some of my books, offering them for one day only for US$1.99. The promotion always generates thousands of sales. Just goes to show that price sells, and it’s a great way to introduce new readers to your work. On…
Illuminating History at Lake Macquarie
This is Louise and myself at the Toronto Library for the History Illuminated literary festival on September 1. Held annually at Lake Macquarie, a 90 minute drive north of Sydney, History Illuminated is run by the enterprising Lake Macquarie City Council and the Hunter Writers Centre. For my session I spoke about ‘Heroes of Hamel,’…
THE OTHER HALF OF THE DYNAMIC DUO
I’m always surprised how few authors take along their wives or partners when they’re guests of literary events. I know that travel costs and the partner’s work or family commitments can make it difficult, but personally I go nowhere without Louise, my wonderful wife of 35 years, so that we can share the experience. That’s Louise…
Writers Festivals are Writers’ Heaven
Back in March, 2018, my wife Louise and I attended Adelaide Writers Week. This was the second year in a row that I was on the program of Australia’s most prestigious writers festival. In the past I’ve been lucky enough to get gigs at the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Byron Bay festivals. They’re all different, and have…
HEROES OF HAMEL Makes a Splash
Since it was released on May 30 my new WWI book HEROES OF HAMEL: The Australians and Americans Whose WWI Victory Changed Modern Warfare, has grabbed attention around Australia leading up to and including the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel on July 4 – US Independence Day. With my strong readership in the US, one…