We were out walking, He-Who-Blogs and me, and for once we got talking. It started with an argument. He said I was rabbiting on and I got angry. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? It was at the very least doggist to compare me to a lower piece of the food chain. It might even have been speciesist and when I said as much he got all huffy and said I’d not been leaping on his lap as much as I used to and I said that’s because he’s at that computer all the time and he said he had a book to get out and that’s when we really went at it.
I’m not unaware. I know I treat him a bit like those supermarket home delivery people: you know, you send out for fresh chicken and end up with a packet of dry biscuits and a voucher for dog sacks. It’s not really on, is it? So you are a bit snotty with them.
Well I said I’d have done more if I was launching a book and he made this weak joke about how I should print a dogalogue of my back titles and I told him, with a few well chosen growls, that what he needed to do, was a blog tour. I mean even I can see over his shoulder that there are people out there who engage with him. Someone, I said, must want to do the Host-a-Post thingy for you, even if the book is rubbish. There aren’t any chases and little food so it’s hardly going to be a page turner, is it?
So we sulked a bit. I stole someone else’s ball just to wind him up – though actually it was really so we would stay by this rather gorgeous collie with the sexiest fluffy hindquarters while he went into one of his soliloquys-come-apologies that are so dull even the angriest owner accepts his grovelling just to get away – and after he agreed he’d do something. So apologies for any streaks on the screen from my nose, but I have to watch him like a whippet (you thought I was going to say ‘hawk’ didn’t you? Hardly. A bloody bird better than a sight hound? Give me a break). This is what he has to say:
As I hope you know, on the 14th of this month, tomorrow, my second book
My father and Other Liars
is published (tada! Fanfare, cue cheering).
Inspired and encouraged by several of you (and Dog), I have decided to test the water to see if there is an appetite to host a series of guests posts from me as a way to promote my book, books indeed.
Since I am asking for a favour in allowing me space on your blogs, I would be delighted to write about whatever you request (within some degree of reason!). You may want to ask me some questions and I’ll be happy to answer them. I realise that some of you would be happy if I suggested a theme, and if that is the case, I’ll happily oblige.
I’m sure there are many topics we can cover; if you know of any that you really enjoyed on other tours and might work generally, feel free to add them in the comments. If this does appeal to you, I’m thinking the tour might start in September and run for, maybe, a fortnight, depending on take up. If that suits them please leave a note in the comments or mail me on
glepard at saqnet dot co dot uk
Or via twitter at @geofflepard
There that wasn’t so hard was it? And thanks to He Who Blogs for changing the header on this bloggy thing to give me a proper billing; he couldn’t keep using the poppy picture because I’ve taken my revenge. Oh and any chance you can get me a date with that Ani over at Sue Vincent’s blog? Tell her she’ll have to bring her own balls to chase after what you had those vets do to me….
Hey there, Mutt… (really, you don’t let him get away with calling you that, do you? A nice handsome chap like yourself…. ;P)
Glad you’ve taken him in paw… honestly, these two legs are useless without a bit of earthy common sense, you know. Should see what she’s been up to lately…. I wonder about her sometimes…
Tell him from me that she would be more than happy to host a guest post from him, I’ll make sure of that….and he can write what he likes as long as it is duly respectful to us sight hounds…
As to the balls… really??? And he can still sit down???
Mind, she got me a dozen… you can borrow a couple if you like…. 😉
Much love, Ani xxx
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Dear Ani. Gosh, you replied? I’m barkless. He says that’s brilliant and he will let your two leg know when he’s had a few responses how the dates are falling out. He wonders if there’s an easy way to contact your two legs?
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Oh he pressed send too soon. Snuffles and licks from mexx
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Ruddy two legses… hopeless, Mylo! She says you can get her through this email thingy… suevincent@scvincent.com.
Much love,
Ani xxx
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Give her a snuggle from me!
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If I am speaking to Geoffle… the small dog is currently on my knee being snuggled and getting in the way as best she can 🙂
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Perfect!
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Daily Echo and commented:
The Mutt is trying to organise a blog tour for his two-legs’ new book, ‘My Father and other Liars’ which is released tomorrow…if annyone feels like extending a friendly paw…?
Much love, Ani xxx
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And a book’s only really exciting if it’s got sausages or mini pork pies in it, like the Famous Five.
Seriously, well done and wishing you every success.
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Why am I not surprised you haven’t moved on from the famous Five? Thanks Gilly
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It’s those yummy picnics!
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Hi there Dog! Please tell your human I would happily host is blog tour . I have no idea how to go about it but if he ( Your master ) has any info I shall be glad to comply!
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Marvellous, Willow. I’ll pull together the names of everyone who says yes and then work out a schedule to see if it suits. Do you have an email were I can contact you?
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Hi Willow. Are you still up for the blog tour? I’m putting together an email about this – may aim to for it to take place in and around the second and third weeks of September. If you are game, can I have a mail to contact you on? Mine, if you want to send it to me privately is glepard at saqnet dot co dot uk.
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Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: .
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Tell the Man I’ll happily host him, and that my current series, beginning yesterday with Park Life, Part 1, needs a text
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Thanks Derrick. That’s very kind. Is there an easier way to get in contact than via comments? Can you send me a mail address?
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derrickjknight@btinternet.com
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Ah, my friend, I see your shrinking-violetness has led to your disguising your much-awaited request for blogging support to launch your second novel in a post about a dog – which I might have skipped over. But seeing as I’ve read it through, let me say I’d LOVE to host to you if I can separate you from that dog. I’d really like a post about tackling the controversial issue of religion and reproductive rights in your novel. What inspired it? What did/do you fear? Could you bear to give me 600ish words on that?
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Not a problem at all and I’m very grateful – gratified might be better – that you would like that.
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It’s a deal.
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Very cute and clever little puppy. Was your two-legged friend a bit bashful in doing the asking himself?
Geoff, I do like your new banner. Very becoming. I will give some thought to your request. I’m not sure what I could work in with my educational theme.
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I seem to missed replying. Not sure why or how. Thanks for the comment and I quite understand the difficulty of the linkage. Really don’t spend any time thinking about it.
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That’s okay. I thought you were ignoring me – so I just went ahead and ignored your request! 🙂
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Very wise. Sometimes things slip through the WP net.
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Excellent work by dog and so excited for the release of your book!
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Thanks everso (why am I so late responding?)
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Geoff, dog is definitely suffering from neglect. Check the look on that face! I am open to suggestions for the book promo thingy. I don’t read book reviews but I do write about author talks I’ve been to so that could work. I still need to order your first book so perhaps I’ll get the two at once. I lost my keycard a few weeks ago and had to watch the limit on the credit card but still intend to get a copy. xx Rowena
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I think the idea is we chose a topic, I write it, send it to you via mail and you post it wrapped around with whatever you want to say. Does that sound like a plan? If you want to know anything about me my book, my writing process then that can be a topic, of Ill generate a few ideas and see if any catch your fancy. And you are very kind about buying the books; they’re not going anywhere so no rush!!
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This book has arrived on my Kindle, ready to be read on holiday next week. I’d also be more than happy to host a guest blog. I’ll let you choose out of the following: holiday reads; how business and religion interact with politics; or if we want to kill both our followings in one swift blow, the similarity between test cricket and writing novel.
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Oh the last sounds grand! Thanks so much. Probably safest to go for one of the first two! Probably I’ll go safe for holiday reads… unless I’m allowed to twist the second to explore how I used these themes in my book?!
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I’ve had a thought, why don’t we blog a discussion between us on how current political, economic and (in your case) religious interaction informed our books?
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sounds great
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Ok, I’ll mail you!
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I love your name ‘Dog’, dog! I often get referred to by your name.
Your owner kindly did my owner a guest post the other month, but tell him he’s welcome to sign my owner up again. We dogs need to stick together. You must let me know next time to decide to take a walk on the South Downs as well. I like that place a lot, especially when there is lots of rabbit poo about.
Have a great day, Dog.
Barks and waggly tails from me,
Toby (of the Cardigan Corgis).
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Dog is very grateful to your two legs Toby and has added you to his list. He will be back in touch if that suits!
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Absolutely. Have a ‘barker’ of a week!
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You can do a Friday Fiction on my blog with an excerpt from your book, if you like. Check them out if you want And let me know….
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I will thanks Ali!
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