We Are Go For Launch…
In which our little publishing endeavor officially releases its first title. I dive into some 007 files, and talk about The Fab Four and The Queen of Crime
It’s Publication Week !!
An exciting week this week as we officially launched the new publishing company with the eBook release of Gill’s first novel “Trust Issues.”
Trust Issues, is the first novel in the exciting new Brightwater series of romance-thrillers
When her ex-husband is found murdered Ellie Brightwater must delve deep to find the strength to protect her daughter. Ellie has to break out of the protective shell she has created and learn to trust friends and ex-lovers while not being sure who is working with her or against her.
You can pick up your copy of the eBook right now at your favorite online book retailer for just $2.99.
The paperback edition will be published on May 31st.
Exciting times are ahead, and you can keep up with our progress at the Lemon Hog Publishing instagram account.
Alan
Other Stuff
Welcome new folks
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Brabazon Bits
On September 13th, I will be presenting a talk on the ‘Mighty Brab’ followed by a signing at my local indy bookstore, Snug Books in north Baltimore.
And of course, a regular reminder that we will celebrate the UK launch of the Brabazon book at the Aerospace Bristol Museum on Saturday, June 7th.
“Bristol Brabazon: The Ocean Liner of the Skies and its Ongoing Legacy” will be published on 30 MAY, 2025 in the UK and 30 JULY, 2025 in the US.
There is now an increasing list of online bookstores where the book is available for preorder
Bookshop.org (US) - helps independent stores
Pen & Sword (publishers) -
Waterstones (UK) - Free shipping in the UK -
Word Slinging
Work continues apace on the Casino Royale book. I had an excellent time on my recent research trip spending a few days doing a deep dive into the archives of Casino Royale ‘67 producer Charles Feldman’s files, and returned home with almost thirty pages of notes.
One particularly cool moment from the trip was reading the contract from 1954 when Ian Fleming first sold the movie rights to Casino Royale. I got a buzz seeing his signature on the documents.
The Brabazon related article for a leading aviation magazine is done and now in the hands of the editor. So fingers crossed they like it.
Podcast Procrastinations
It’s been a busy couple of weeks of podcast recording and editing.
The latest Forgotten Beatles podcast episode dropped shortly before this newsletter went out. This month we turned the spotlight on trumpet player David Mason, drummer Tommy Moore, and bass player Chas Newby.
You can find the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, or directly right HERE.
On the Chronological Christie podcast front the latest episode on The Man In The Brown Suit continues to attract record numbers of downloads.
And to make it easier to find the podcast it now has a shiny domain name -
We also have the next three episodes recorded, edited, and staged for release through May and June as we work our way through the 14 short stories from the Poirot Investigates collection.
And for updates and reminders, you can also follow the podcast's Instagram account
And if that wasn’t enough I also had the pleasure of recording the next episode of the James Bond vs Spy Movie series, and doing a guest spot on the excellent Doctor’s Beard podcast discussing my favorite Tom Baker era Doctor Who episode.- More on those as they go live.
Pages and Screens
Books Read in 2025 - “The Red Prince: John of Gaunt” by Helen Carr.
Son of a king, uncle to one king, father of another. Founder of a royal dynasty. Warrior, diplomat, champion of the English language. John of Gaunt has always been a marginal and mysterious figure in British history surrounded by controversy and speculation as to his role during the Plantagenet era.
This biography places him front and center of his own story, unraveling contemporary bias, sorting through misinformation, and puncturing myths. It’s an absorbing, revealing, and at times brutally honest, read about the multi-faceted influential life of an often misunderstood man.
Over at our online bookstore at Bookshop.org I’ve now added a new section listing books read so far in 2025, so you can pick up copies of any that interest you, while also helping out local independent bookstores.
Weekly Web Round-Up
Batman On The Cover - We continue our chronological look at Batman’s publishing history as we take a look at the new releases from DC Comics in February 1970 that included Detective Comics, Batman, Brave and The Bold, Justice League of America, World’s Finest, and a guest appearance on the cover of Lois Lane.
With three Neal Adams covers from this selection I was spoiled for choice for my pick of the pack. But I think the winner had to be Adam’s dynamic cover from Batman #219. You can feel the movement and almost hear the wind whistling by as Batman is pushed from a plane. It also sets up a powerful “how will he get out of this?” moment that demands that you pick up a copy to find out.
Forest Comics and Books - We just did a restock of our online store, and this time around we’ve added some actual comics (gasp!) along with the usual assortment of media tie-in related collectibles. - There’s more to come, so make sure to visit often.
Where on the Web is Alan?
You can now find links to all the places you can find me online, websites, newsletters, social media, and more in a single LINKS page on my personal website.
As always, thanks for joining me this week. If you know someone else who might enjoy the contents of this week’s newsletter, or just my weekly ramblings in general - please feel free to share by clicking the button below.
See you next time
Alan J. Porter
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