Latest Articles from The Vandal AKA Derek Haines

In Defence Of The Self Published Author

The Self-Published Author and ‘Banjo’ While reading the following poem, which has always been a favourite of mine, I couldn’t help but think of the similarity with the current debate and divide over self-published books compared with traditionally published titles. It has become a bit city and the bush – New York and London against the world one might say. While many are beset on comparing the incorrect use of the Oxford comma in self-published titles, I really think they are missing the whole point. Self-publishing is about stories, wonderful and never before published stories from the hearts and minds of passionate people. Rugged yes. But a rugged beauty that

Trust Me I’m An Editor

Are you looking for a qualified editor? I can’t help but notice a new plague on social media related to writing and books. The number of people professing to be competent editors seems to be increasing exponentially every day. Well, why not? If you have tried writing and have failed, why not diversify and try to make a quick buck by becoming an editor? You know the old saying, ‘If you can’t do it, teach or preach it.’ Now, this may sound quite harsh, but to be totally honest, many, and perhaps most of those who profess to be professional editors on social media sites are indeed not. When I’ve

Mary Called Him Mister: Henry Lawson

Every now and again I like to post a favourite Australian poem. So here we are again with an unusually light-hearted verse from the normally dark Henry Lawson. Mary Called Him Mister by Henry Lawson (1867-1922) They’d parted but a year ago – she thought he’d ne’er come back; She stammered, blushed, held out her hand, and called him “Mister Mack”. How could he know that all the while she longed to murmur “John”? — He called her “Miss le Brook”, and asked “How she was getting on”. They’d parted but a year before, they’d loved each other well, But he’d been down to Sydney since, and came back such

I Love Mommy Porn!

Did I Say Mommy Porn? Ok, I probably went a bit over the top with my post title, and even sacrificed my UK English spelling in the process, but as a die hard self-publisher, I have to say that self-publishing has succeeded on the back of daring new genres, and especially new romance genres. Every author who is now self-publishing should be very thankful for the inroads, smashed down doors and the whole new reading market that these books have created for us all. No publisher in the world would have touched Fifty Shades of Grey if it weren’t for self-publishing making it a success. Paranormal romance would hardly get a mention,