…must you treat me this way? I don’t agree with airing my issues in public, but don’t want anyone else to have similar problems. As usual, I don’t suggest you shouldn’t use the company, as everyone’s experiences are different: read mine and make your own mind up.

Communications between myself and the company have now dried up. Even the previously email-friendly accounts man has stopped replying to my emails. I finally realised that I can’t be amicable any longer? There is a fine line between exceedingly patient and doormat, and I don’t wish to be the latter.

To refresh your memory, my book was released Feb 07. My first royalty statement was due about 6 months later - it arrived, late, but was never paid. After a certain length of time, my contract stipulated that the rights to the book would revert to me (after contacting the company lots of times). The sum that was not paid was VERY small, so I thought it odd that this wasn’t taken care of. An oversight, I thought. So the rights to the book returned to me in Feb 2008 - the company still sold it. I enquired after royalties and was subsequently sold that I hadn’t sold any books…then that I hadn’t sold the qualifying number of books to get paid that period. I did my own research and contact Nielsen, who confirmed that I had sold books (more than I thought).

Since then, I’ve been trying to get paid. It’s not a lot of money, but there’s a principle at stake here, I think. Any money is good for me, but I can’t understand why a company would refuse to pay such a mediocre (to them) sum? I really want to believe it’s all been an oversight, but when everyone stops replying to my weekly emails, I’m not sure that it is. Why can’t people/companies just play fair?

It’s important to note that I did not self-publish, but was published under a traditional contract, after the Undiscovered Authors competition.

Yesterday was the charity event, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care in Newcastle. Cath and I were surprisingly unflustered (although I did go through phases of shy, giggly and star-struck at various points throughout the evening) which is a testament to her fantastic organisational skills.

I have probably mentioned that I was a fan of Jonathan Morrell’s when he was a TV presenter at ITV, and he once read out my birthday on TV (if I told you how long ago and which birthday, I’d probably have to kill you). So, despite him being a lovely man and very approachable, I did feel a bit starstruck when I met him. And, as I’ve also mentioned, when I get nervous, I tend to waffle - he either didn’t notice (I hope) or was too polite to walk away and leave me to it! He was a fantastic quiz master, and the quiz was very well compiled by Cath (somewhat of an expert in this field, after years of practice).

The buffet (by AMOW Catering) was really nice and was incredible value. They always do an exceptional job and we were very impressed with them, and with Sharon Reed, who is responsible for the functions held at Blaydon Rugby Club. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Everything went smoothly until we experienced a technical hitch, but it wasn’t the end of the world, and we know what to do NEXT TIME…

The band, Toxic Melons, had stepped in at very short notice and, like Jonathan, gave their time and expertise for free. They played a short set and I heard a number of people praising their music - they seemed like a great bunch of lads, and I applaud them for their efforts. Look them up on MySpace.

The raffle seemed to go on forever, thanks to the large number of kind donations, and we closed with an auction, which bumped the total up considerably. Altogether (not including collection tins) the evening raised around £1050 for Marie Curie. We are grateful to anyone who donated to, supported, and/or attended the event, as we couldn’t have done it without you. We had so much fun, we’re hoping to make it an annual event. I may upload some photos soon but they are available on the Facebook events page. A BIG THANK YOU AGAIN!

Hi - apologies for not being around much, but I’m back! As you can see from the title of the post, tickets are now on sale for the charity evening, in aid of Marie Curie (Newcastle). The event will take place on Saturday, 5th September 2009 and will feature a quiz, and all the fun of the fair (or the church fayre, as I remember from childhood). There will be a raffle with some incredible prizes - some well-known authors have donated signed books and personal items (I’ll list them at the weekend) and there are things like vouchers, a camcorder, signed sportswear and, of course, some bottles! There will be a craft stall, displaying some stunning handmade jewellery; a name-the-bear stall, the bear (a huge, gorgeous creature) was generously named and donated by a lady and her daughter - I don’t even know them and they made this great donation; there is a tombola full of prizes (this is my favourite stall at any fete I attend, and is where much of any money I take with me goes); there is even a door prize raffle, quiz entry and a buffet included in the ticket price. Entertainment will be provided, subject to schedule, and there may be a surprise or two in store (if I can get anything sorted)!

Tickets are £10 each, and all profits will go to Marie Curie (Newcastle). You can contact me if you are interested - get your quiz team together and get ready for a fun-packed night! There will be a prize for the winning team, too!

I am overwhelmed at the support we’ve had from local people and companies. I’m underwhelmed by the big businesses - not because they have not donated prizes, but because they haven’t replied to me. All I expect is courtesy and anything else is a bonus! That said, if you would like to donate a prize, you know where to find me!

I’m waffling because I’m excited about raising money for such a fantastic cause - please join us!

Just a quickie, as I’m tired, but we have set a price of £10 for tickets to the Charity Event in aid of Marie Curie (Newcastle). This will include quiz entry, buffet, and entertainment…and hopefully a few surprises! We have some great raffle prizes already, so I do hope you’ll join us on the 5th September 2009. Will let you know when tickets are available.

I also have interesting news about a ME/CFS Research Trial that’s taking place in Newcastle. I was intrigued, and I hope you will be too, when I post about it tomorrow (I wouldn’t be coherent if I tried today!)