Publication Day minus 6, and in my office (aka the kitchen table) it’s like a NASA countdown. The second batch of proofs arrived and looked fine  –  just as well because I’d run out of time to do much about it if they didn’t  – and as some of you have pointed out, with the next book I’ll have a better idea what I’m doing.

Now a shout-out for help. One huge hurdle for self-publishers is getting their books into libraries. It’s not that libraries don’t want books, but donations have to be catalogued and sometimes libraries don’t have the staff or time to do it. So, if you’re a librarian or related to a librarian, or even remotely acquainted with a librarian, please let it be known that I have ten copies of Dr Dan’s Casebook to donate to libraries. First come, first served. And if you don’t know any librarians you can still give me a helping hand by requesting the book. If enough readers ask, they’ll eventually buy it.

I’ve loved libraries ever since my Mum signed me up, aged four. The main library in Leicester was on the corner of Belvoir Street and Wellington Street and that’s where she used to deposit me while she ran down to the market to buy her veg. There were none of the inducements my grandchildren have been plied with. No dressing up box, no story-telling sessions. Just more books than I could ever read. If she’d given me a sleeping bag I’d happily have taken up residence.

If you find me a taker for a donation, you or they should contact me directly at scribbler2[@yahoo.com]  –  remove the brackets.