Simon Duringer's Blog, page 16
May 7, 2015
Penguin Platform
http://simonduringer.com/opinions/pen...
May 6, 2015
Penguin Platform
It’s here…
To celebrate the 80th birthday of Random House Penguin a new platform has been created and it has all the merit and backing from those of us who simply love literature! Here at Simon’s 10 Q Interviews and in Room 42 we often forget the emerging generation. It’s something noble to teach the younger generation about literature and to give them a platform which they can call their own. In my own efforts I can only skirt around the peripheries of the subject… Personally, I asked a great team of year 5 students to assist me in interviewing the famed Academy Award Winning Nickelodeon and Disney Director Paul Demeyer (Famed for Directing The Rugrats in Paris). They did an incredible job and the interview was included along with 27 other interviews in The Word Volume 1.
Last week I conducted over 30 street interviews at the ‘What’s Your Story Chorley’ event and was amazed at the intellect of one specific youngster who came to listen to my talk and asked the most well thought out questions of my entire speech. Afterwards I interviewed her and her mother for Chorley 102.8 FM to be aired later in the month. It turned out she reads over 20 novels per week! So, where is she going to visit and talk to like minded individuals of within her own age group?
Random House Penguin have worked it out and achieved something way beyond my ability or expectations. They have delivered The Penguin Platform. It’s a great new platform purely for those within the 16-19 year age group. It’s a place this younger generation can call their own and has been designed to deliver news, views and interviews specifically to the YA generation of readers.
Penguin Platform says it will give its readers access to an unrivalled list of authors and an ‘inside look’ into the publishing process; the story behind the story. Bespoke book-related content and experiences, shaped by the tastes and preferences of the teen audience. Personally, I think it’s an excellent idea led by an excellent forward thinking publisher!
Here, why not watch the introductory video by Penguin…
But, that’s not it…why should it be, after all it’s a big birthday for Penguin with 80 years in the business! Another initiative has been to launch 80 Little Black Classics… Check them out as they are rolling out at only 80 pence each!!
Yes… I wasn’t kidding 80 pence each!
So, what other innovations are taking place with the Little Black Books? Well, a bit of carnage really, it’s purely in the name of art and a competition was set up to create the best artwork for the Little Black Books. The winners have already been announced and you can check out the amazing creative process by those taking part by watching the Penguin Little Black Classic Artwork Competition Winners video below…
So, whilst that’s about it from me today, you may very well hear more on the subject. Either way get involved, get creative and if you’re in the 16-19 year age group take inspiration from this great innovation and help Penguin celebrate their 80th birthday in style!
Have a great 2015 Penguin!
May 5, 2015
New UK Based Radio for author exposure!
In 2014 it became a finalist in the UK National Blogging Awards...
Now it's time (almost) to step it up a gear by hitting the airwaves.
On May 19th 2015 I become a regular DJ at Chorley 102.8 FM (available on the net and with podcasts for those out of range) with my new feature for them...
The Chorley 102.8 FM Art and Lifestyle Show. My brief is simple to do what I do best and interview authors and of course play some great tunes aswell!
Want to know more or listen to the original pilot with Perry McCarthy, BBC Top Gears Original Stig, then follow the link.
http://simonduringer.com/latest-news/...
Chorley 102.8 FM
Well, the great news is that I will soon be able to offer readers a better listening experience as I will be starting a new radio program for Chorley 102.8 FM. The pilot has already been conducted with the one and only ORIGINAL STIG from BBC’s Top Gear program for which the link is at the bottom of the page. So, hold on to your hats and if you feel worthy of joining me on the show, whether by phone, Skype or in the studio, it is due to debut on the 19th May, so do get in touch!
It’s a weekly program called ; The Art and Lifestyle program running between 6-8pm on Tuesdays from 19th May…
Before we remind you of the pilot, let’s also say what a success; What’s Your Story Chorley 2015 was… It’s likely the debut show will contain interviews from spectators, participants and organisers. Here’s looking forward to the WYSC 2016 next year.
Back to the pilot, which was aired live, was exciting and nerve racking… Just the way we like it!
Here’s 10 facts about the man involved; Perry McCarthy, BBC TV’s Original STIG… Do you remember the one, he ended his Top Gear career by trying to beat a Sea Harrier Jump Jet to the end of the sea based runway and ended up driving off the end of the aircraft carrier, but he did mysteriously make the long swim to shore as he later returned to continue life back in professional racing. Let’s take a look at that final video clip!
Now, here’s Ten Facts about Perry McCarthy whose autobiography Flat Out Flat Broke: The Original Stig
went straight into the Top 10 on the day of launch back in March and is still Motor Sports Number 2 in the UK…
1. Perry McCarthy did not start racing until the very late age of 19.
2. Perry worked on North Sea oil rigs to initially fund his start in the junior categories of motor sport. He had success very early and became Formula Ford before a huge crash broke his back and sidelined him for a year. (The horrendous accident was caught on film and pictures of Perry airborne and inverted are included amongst the sizeable picture gallery).
3. Using every moment he had, Perry relentlessly pushed to gain sponsorship and support to move up the notoriously difficult motor racing ladder. Gradually, his talent and determination was recognised and against all odds he went on to compete in Formula 3 and International F3000 before moving across to America where he set the US scene on fire with spectacular performances in the prestigious IMSA racing championship.
4. In 1992, Perry received the call he’d been working towards for over 10 years and joined the new Andrea Moda Formula One team to compete in the F1 World Championship. However … the team made headlines for the wrong reasons and Perry narrowly avoided serious injury, at the very least, when his steering jammed at 170mph
5. After Grand Prix racing, Perry was chosen by top level works manufacturers such as Lotus, Chrysler, Panoz and Audi to race in the sports cars and GT World Championship including the famous Le Mans 24 hours and the USA’s Sebring 12 hours and Daytona 24 hours.
6. In 2002, Perry McCarthy made motoring history by becoming the very first masked driver known as THE STIG with BBC’s Top Gear television program. According to the Guinness Book of World Records; Top Gear is the most widely watched factual television program in the world. Top Gear plays in 214 territories worldwide and has an estimated global audience of 350 million. It set viewer records for an unscripted series on BBC America in 2013. “Who is the Stig” became the second highest search term on Google.
7. After leaving Formula 1 and just prior to becoming the STIG, Perry McCarthy wrote a hilarious autobiographical account of his racing fortunes and his many misfortunes fittingly titled ‘Flat Out, Flat Broke’. This was later followed by paperback editions which brought his amazing and inspirational story up to date with a behind the scenes look at life as The Stig! Flat Out, Flat Broke the paperback is now out of print having sold over 100,000 copies.
8. Following two seasons of establishing the STIG’s identity on BBC’s Top Gear, Perry left the show in dramatic style. Viewers were shown him racing along the runway of the British Aircraft Carrier HMS Invincible whilst at sea. But, his brakes apparently failed and the car was filmed ‘flying’ off the end of the ship at over 100mph and into the sea. RIP STIG (presumed dead) before being reincarnated as The White STIG. A YouTube clip of The STIGS departure from Top Gear, viewed in excess of 2 Million times, can be found here: https://youtu.be/_eiJkQzpzRc
9. With Kindle and eBooks becoming ever so popular, Perry McCarthy has re-covered his highly acclaimed autobiography, added several new pictures from his private collection, and released the book as an Indie author on to Amazon Kindle in March 2015. It went straight to the Top 10 in genre in the UK, US and Australia becoming number #1 in all three countries in the first week.
10. Perry McCarthy currently writes humorous and informative articles for the World’s foremost motor racing magazine. He also travels the world as a leading inspirational, motivational and after dinner speaker for major corporations.
So, here is the link to that pilot, with visuals… Enjoy!
Here are the buy now links for Perry amazing autobiography on Amazon Kindle…
UK Link: Flat Out Flat Broke – The Original Stig
US Link: Flat Out Flat Broke – The Original Stig
CA Link: Flat Out Flat Broke – The Original Stig
AU Link: Flat Out Flat Broke – The Original Stig
April 24, 2015
Bestselling Author gets up to speed with THE STIG
Once they'd stopped talking about her new book 'Number's Game' and his humorous, intense and highly inspirational/fully illustrated autobiography 'Flat Out Flat Broke' they got back to basics...
Here's 10 things she found out...
http://www.susanwingate.com/10-facts-...#
April 22, 2015
Rene Schultz in Room 42
http://simonduringer.com/?p=4497
April 16, 2015
What's Your Story Chorley 2015
There's something to do for all the family regardless of age, and many talks readings and more on the day.
Mark it down in your calendar and whether you come for the day, an overnight stop or wish to take in the beauty of Lancashire's countryside over the entire weekend, you're sure to have a good time...
Check out the link for more information...
Don't forget now! Saturday 25th April 2015... See you there.
http://simonduringer.com/opinions/wha...
What’s Your Story Chorley 2015
It is almost upon us once more… WHAT’S YOUR STORY CHORLEY 2015!
Whether you are a writer, poet, playwright, an enthusiastic reader or with partners, relatives or children with an interest in literature. Perhaps you feel there is a book inside of you desperate to make its way onto paper but you don’t know how. Then come along to What’s your story Chorley 2015 (Saturday 25th April 2015) where there is something for everybody!
There will be representatives and authors from The Chameleon Collective, Chorley District Writers Circle, The Lancashire Authors Association, and The Creative Network’s Writer’s Group and more all involved on the day!
Getting to the event and navigating through the various locations could not be simpler. The Creative Network and Chorley County Council will provide wristbands for those taking part and visiting. These are available for a donation of £1, but the wristband will enable visitors free and unlimited access to all of the many venues around the Town Centre where authors and poets will be conducting readings of their works!
Not a regular visitor to Chorley… Why not make a day of it? What’s Your Story Chorley 2015 is a fantastic event and runs from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 25th April 2015. You’ll be able to navigate through the streets using the map below and plan your visit in advance. The full schedule for the day with more information about the individual events and performances is available by clicking on the following link:
What’s Your Story Chorley 2015 Digital (Full) Program.
I shall be giving a talk on self publishing, social media and several “How To’s” at Chorley Library in the upstairs conference room at 12pm. I will be featuring video within my presentation and will explain, not only how I have assisted BBC Top Gear’s ORIGINAL STIG Perry McCarthy self publish his autobiography Flat Out Flat Broke, but also how I assisted Chorley’s very own John Winstanley with his autobiography Unsigned Unscene
and political hot potato Marianne Azizi with her book Sour Milk and Stolen Honey: One woman’s fight to save her husband held hostage by Israel’s brutal family laws
. None of which were aware of the power of Social media platforms. All of which, I am delighted to say, are Bestselling authors! To find out more about their books or indeed a few of my own, click on the thumbnail cover’s below… or come along on the day and have the opportunity to win a signed paperback copy of one of the above books!!
With the nights now drawing out, either before or after the event there is plenty to do around Chorley. If you fancy some peace and tranquillity why not bring a picnic and sit around in my favourite area of Chorley, at Astley Park, where you can take in the breathtaking views of Astley Hall across the water of the lake…
Astley Hall picture courtesy of Chorley Chit Chat.
There are also many restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways in Chorley, although if you do fancy a sit down meal you would do well to book in advance to avoid dissappointment. Here are a few links to help you decide where and what to eat on the day…
Visit Lancashire Website
Sugarvine Website
Square Meal Website
Trip Advisor Website
…and finally, if you want to make a weekend of it and/or once the day is done and exhaustion has taken hold, if you’d like to stay over, there are plenty of hotels in and around Chorley from the cheap and cheerful to the more upmarket and tranquil. Here are some more links to find an overnight/weekend stay…
Booking website
Expedia Website
Late Rooms Website
A range of Bed and Breakfast accomodation can be found at the above sites and also at the UK Hotels Website.
If you want to know more about the event in detail, tune in to Chorley’s favourite Radio Station, 102.8 Chorley FM when, during Wednesday’s (22nd April 2015) Drivetime show between 3-6pm, I will be in the studios with Dom Molloy talking about the event.
Don’t miss this great event… Lancashire looks forward to greeting you on the day!
Dakota Franklin - The Interview
So, here is Dakota Franklin, author of the Ruthless to Win Award Winning Series. She has been in the chair at Simon's 10 Q I and Boy Oh Boy there are no flies on this lady... She *ROCKS*. Get across and see the full interview now...
http://simonduringer.com/latest-news/...
April 15, 2015
THE ORIGINAL STIG
It is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read and surpasses the expectations one would have for the memoirs of a racing driver.
Perry McCarthy, BBC TV's Original Stig is a comedian and he has needed a sense of humor to get through the unimaginable setbacks he faced throughout his career with a smile still on his face!
We all love an underdog and Perry, who started off in racing relatively late in life and without that corporate cushion of sponsorship, self financed most of his career. Following setback after setback he kept smiling, even after an accident which broke his back in 2 places at Oulton Park! (Pictures of Perry Airborne and inverted in said crash are included within the book). His story is hilariously written and takes each reader on his emotional rollercoaster although in the passenger seat throughout the entire journey. It's fast paced, well written and amazingly inspirational...
But, there's more! The new cover for the Kindle version is a masterpiece and you should consider lending it your vote in the AuthorsDB 2015 cover contest where it has been nominated for best cover in the autobiography genre... It's an all around masterpiece and hat goes off to Perry for writing it... Great writing, masses of pictures, masses of fun!
If you would like to consider voting for the cover the link is below. If you would consider downloading the book use the same link and you will find links on the same page... I'll stop waffling on now...
http://authorsdb.com/2015-cover-conte...
