I saw something interesting today, which I thought I should share.

I work in a University for my 'day job'. Today I was helping proof read a module document, which will be part of a new Mass Communications degree. It was really interesting to see that one of the books on the reading list for the module was a CreateSpace produced book (CreateSpace is Amazon's self publishing company).

For those of us who are self-published I think this shows a massive change in the perception of the book market. Not all that many years ago people who self-published were assumed to be bad writers who's vanity brought them to self-publish substandard literature. The phrase 'vanity press' was a term used in the publishing sector and self-publishing was looked down on.

To see a self-published academic text make a University book list just highlighted to me how much that time has passed!

I thought this was a great bit of news to pass to all those fantastic self-published authors and to send a message to the readers out there - buy indie! There is some truely great literature out there and a lot more choice than the average bookstore shelf.

This week is York Open Studio, where local artists display their work in various venues in the city and open their studios/homes to the public. It sounds very interesting, so I'm going to have a look round tomorrow.

If your interested take a look at http://www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk

Maybe I'll see you there

Lynn Russell and Neil Hanson launched their new book 'The Sweethearts' today at York St John University. The book is about women who worked for Rowntree's chocolate factory, in York, from the 1930s-1980s. The couple of chapters read today had me hooked. It's well worth picking up, have a look at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Sweethearts-Lynn-Russell/dp/0007508492/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366218746&sr=8-2&keywords=the+sweethearts

We were also privaledged enough to meet some of the sweethearts themselves today. Amazing ladies, with some amazing stories.

You can also buy individual stories from the book as a kindle addition, very neat idea.

I think other launches are happening shortly in Waterstones (York

Tonight is my first class back on my MA after Easter. Looking forward to getting back at it. This module is about Writers, Readers and Audiences, so no doubt I'll know exactly what you folks want and write a belter of a next novel in 12 weeks time!?! :p
Wish me luck