Yes, the Seasonal Vaccine Programme began on Wednesday October 1st and I was booked in for Thursday morning. Just good luck, really; I knew it was coming and managed to book myself an early slot at a pharmacy in Colchester. If you're eligible, it's worth sorting out an appointment thought the NHS website as it's easy (must be if I can manage it), quick, and gives you some choice of when and where you get your jab(s).
Why all this talk of flu jabs? Frankly, it's for my selfish benefit, as I know that my audience here, and for the books I publish, skews towards the older gentleman. I have two books coming out in November and I'm hoping to have another one out not long after Christmas. Basically, I can't afford to lose anyone: a lot of you are repeat customers and I need every one of you to stay healthy.
And, yes, you didn't mis-read me. Two books coming out in November! I have a proof copy of THE AIR ACE PICTURE LIBRARY COMPANION in my hands, and I've had good feedback from the few people who have seen it. I've started proofing and should have a second proof before the end of the month, which will mean I can print the book alongside MYTEK Volume 4.
The other bit of good news is that I've borrowed a stack of copies of the second series of Action, post-ban, which means that I can hopefully finish writing, scanning and designing the ACTION INDEX over the next few months.
The folks who had to wait weeks for the delivery of the first MYTEK volumes might find it amusing to hear that I'm possibly in the same boat with a book I ordered recently. I have been looking out for an affordable copy of Mike Ashley's Rise of the Cyberzines, volume five of his history of science fiction magazines, which came out from the Liverpool University Press in hardback for £95 in 2022 and appeared in paperback in 2024 priced £40, which is too rich for my wallet.
So when I saw a copy on sale for £25 plus £2.95 postage, I jumped on it. The order confirmation stated clearly that the order was from a British company and would ship from the UK. Well, it would at that price. The next day I get a message from the seller saying that there was a delay on the order and it would not arrive until November 12th. No other explanation.
I contacted Biblio, the platform through which I bought the book. 24 hours later, they contact the seller asking for further information. Four hours later, I'm told that the book will be with me some time between the 3rd and the 8th of October. Whether it arrives or not... well, we will just have to wait and see. At least there's now a paper trail that should allow me to get my money refunded if the book doesn't turn up.
At the same time, I've now had two Evri packages go astray since Ebay introduced their "Simple Delivery" system, which is anything but. Back in the day, everything went out 48 hour tracked post and it worked. Now I have to use prepaid postage labels which cost the customer more and there's a fee added to the price of the books, plus VAT (yes, I know there's no VAT on books in the UK, but there are some VATable costs incurred through Ebay).
An order that arrived yesterday was for Myteks 1 and 2. Same buyer, same address, same price for the books. But when I downloaded the postage labels, they were for different services, one charging £2.75, the other £2.94, neither of which actually cover the cost of postage and packing: £2.70 for postage, 35p for the envelope and 4p for the label, bringing the total p&p to £3.09. Not a huge difference in the big scheme of things, but it will mount up over time. So the two books went off in different directions, one down to the Post Office in the village, the other around the corner to the Co-op, our local Evri pick-up point. I had to cue up twice! (First world problems, eh?)
The Colchester Comic Mart is on Saturday (4 October); the books have already been dispatched (thanks, Karl!) and copies of MYTEK and all the other titles from Bear Alley will be available. I'll even knock the cost of postage off.
The venue is the Colchester Baptist Church, which is right in the town centre—see map (click for a bigger version)—and easily accessible. There are car parks nearby, plenty of tea rooms, eateries and pubs within easy walking distance, and lots of see and do. We have a castle and it's just off the High Street. There are 12 charity shops and one good second-hand book shop.
Hopefully I'll see you there.
