Since publication my book has been distributed to friends and family for their approval and, I’m happy to say, most responses have been positive. Some criticisms were either of a minor nature (a few typographical and grammatical errors) or personal preferences, e.g. one reader did not like the footnotes appearing at the end of the book, though others did. A long-time friend, who actually appears in the story under an assumed name, couldn’t recall all the events or characters mentioned (some were fictional) but was surprised at how much detail had been remembered. He also admitted that one of his main interests was finding himself mentioned – even if his personality had been somewhat exaggerated. Other more serious (but still minor) errors were noted by my step-sister who had been invaluable in making available family history records, especially with regards my father. She also said she saw problems in mixing fact and fiction so closely – an issue I had wrestled with when writing – but since many other authors have also done this I decided to continue. In any case, the story which emerged tells a deeper truth, I believe, even if not factually accurate in some regards.

Overall I’m happy with the responses, both to the book and CD and, if given the chance, will incorporate many of the suggestions in any subsequent edition. At present I’m still waiting for replies from agents and publishers as I would prefer to have backing rather than try and promote it independently. Also, if professional support is forthcoming they will no doubt have views on editing, etc.

In the meantime I find myself at something of a loose end. I’ve begun working on the next in the series – provisionally titled, ‘The Singer-Songwriter’s First Love’ – which carries on where Volume One left off, when I was about nineteen years old. As the title infers, there will be more about relationships in this next one. I’m also planning a couple of suspicious deaths – murder or suicide? Early demise, as noted before, is hardly novel in the wonderful world of music and tragedy often seems to be lurking behind the stage curtain. Other than that, I’m planning new characters and trying to recall events of my youth. Things certainly got out of hand back then on some occasions, which was painful at the time but should make interesting reading now.