Avatar for NorthernSi

NorthernSi

rank: 1094

Last week's position: 1181

first registered 04.05.11

last online 7 days ago

report abuse
about me

Fortysomething journo who is new to all this. Live "up North" writing sports headlines for a living.
Angus Athletic is loosely based on the true tale of Gretna FC and is also inspired by the expoits of my mate (also called Simon), who forsook the bright lights of Sunderland so he could follow Forfar Athletic.
Have just comprehensively rewritten the first two chapters, with more rewrites to come! Let me know what you think, especially if you read the original version.

favourite books

All time fave has to be A Clockwork Orange. After that, anything by Christopher Brookmyre, David Baddiel or Nick Hornby and most of Iain Banks' works too. Have also been hooked on a couple of later JG Ballard works. Just read Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, which was oddly bewitching as well.
Can thoroughly recommend All the Colours of the Town by Liam McIlvanney too - a real cold bath book (in that your bath goes cold because you can't stop reading).

my websites

    

HarperCollins is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Self-publish with CreateSpace

my books

The English Weirdo

Simon Marks

A washed-up rock star pumps his millions into a criminally-hopeless Scottish football club - but sees insanely-jealous outsiders turn his dream into a nightmare.


Scottish Third Division strugglers Angus Athletic have always been crap - a fact board members and hard-bitten fans Dougie Meikle and Joe Golspie know all-too painfully.
So when Marco Paul, one half of 90s rave chart-toppers Euphoria, buys up their mouldering club and puts £1million into buying players with actual talent, what on Earth are they to make of it? Is their small-town cynicism of the "English weirdo" justified?
At first, it seems not, as eccentric socialist team guru Graeme Garvie and his motley crew, guided by "lost boy of Scottish football" Aidan McAnespie, soar majestically upwards.
But with success comes jealousy, a vicious media hate-campaign and political meddling - not to mention the fact that Marco falls in love with someone he really shouldn't have fallen in love with.
And as his dream descends into a nightmare, Marco ends up fighting for his life.
Based loosely on the true story of Gretna FC, Angus Athletic is a fairy tale that almost ends up a horror story.

 

my friends

Pat Black
Pat Black
last online 8 hours ago
Patrick Whittaker
Patrick Whittaker
last online 2 days ago
Jason McKenzie
Jason McKenzie
last online 227 days ago

leave me a message

click here to leave a message

latest

Davidmauriceware wrote 103 days ago

Hello gifted writer and future best selling Author. I would like to t....

love4044 wrote 124 days ago

Hi, I am Vera! please how are you! hope you are fine and in perfect ....

A G Chaudhuri wrote 148 days ago

Dear Simon, Profound apologies for this unsolicited message. SHININ....

Iso Nuys wrote 168 days ago

Simon, email me the first 3 chapters. I can't read stuff on authonom....

Amy Pope wrote 176 days ago

Hi Northern Si Just to say am enjoying your book. Can see it adapate....

view all

my comments

latest

I wrote 7 days ago

Brilliant, many thanks, almost forgot I'd posted it up here, but your comments are duly noted and accept gratefully. Will have a look at your own profile ASAP. view book

I wrote 295 days ago

Many thanks, enjoy the rest. It does get darker as it goes on. Cheers, Si. view book

I wrote 303 days ago

Wow, this is gripping and emotional stuff written with real verve and pace. It is truly excellent. Felt real sorrow for the character of AJ, which is all you can for a fictional character, I guess. My only comment would be to break up chapter two and some of the longer paragraphs, as they can look ... view book

I wrote 314 days ago

This is great stuff, beautifully fast-paced with some fab characterisation. I ended up loving the character of John, which shows the strength of the writing. I liked his eccentricites and ragged nature, which made him all the more engaging. It put me in mind of my days as a reporter in court, whe... view book

I wrote 320 days ago

Cheers for the comments and the time you've taken. Think you've analysed it more than me! Still in editing mode, so shall take them on board. Thanks again, Si. view book

view all