Books – My writing career – Publishing History

Posted on by Opher

Rock Music – Published with Sonicbond Press

Education – Published with Oxford University Press

On Track SeriesPublished
1. Roy Harper: Every Album, Every Song (On Track) Paperback  
2. Captain Beefheart On Track: Every Album, Every Song – Paperback   
3. Bob Dylan 1962 to 1970 On Track (Decades) Paperback  
4. Neil Young 1963 to 1970: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  
5. Phil Ochs On Track: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  
6. Leonard Cohen  On Track: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  		Sonicbond publishing    
Classic Albums Series 
7. The Beatles: White Album – Rock Classics Paperback   
8, Bob Dylan Bringing It All Back Home: Rock Classics Paperback   		Sonicbond publishing     Sonicbond publishing

Education – Oxford University Press

Education books 
9.  Coordinated science multiskill practicals  
10.  Coordinated science practicals  


11.  Headship – a passion for education  		Oxford University Press



Self-Published

Science Fiction – Published as Ron Forsythe

Sci-Fi novelsPublished
12.Gordian Fetish  
13. God’s Bolt  
14. Reawakening (Sequel to God’s Bolt)  
15. Star  
16. Green  
17. Neanderthal  
18. Schizoid  
19. Farm 703 – The Human Project  
20. Quantum Fever  
21. Conexion  
22. New Eden  
23. The Pornography Wars  


24. Terra 3 (The Cabal)  
25. The Scrolls of Pandora 3  
26. DremeWorld  
27. A Message From Hermes  
28. Ghenghis Smith  		Self-Published   











Unpublished  
Sci-Fi novels written as Opher GoodwinPublishedNotes
29.      Pornographic Syndromes 30.      Destination Self
31.      Hallucination
32.      Nosedive
33.      Green
34.      Star
35.      Ebola in Eden
36.   Zero to Infinity
37.   Reality Dreams Vol 1



38. Reality Dreams Vol 2
39. October 14th is too far
40. Trapdoor
41. Journey into time

42. Sorting the Future  		Self-Published













Unpublished


Self-Published  		                 









Exists as typescript
Fiction – Avant Garde Novels  
43.  Danny’s Story
44. City Angels
45.  Goofin’
46.  53 & Imploding
47. Reflections From a Ditch
48.  Farther From the Sun
49.  The Universe – a Users Guide
50.  The Apartment
51.  Torture
52. Bodies in a Window  		Self-Published  
Antitheist  
53.  Antitheist’s Bible
54.  Book of Ginny
55.  Antitheist’s Dictionary  		Self-Published Rewritten (Kathy & Tobes)
Sixties  
56.  Diary of a 60s freak  Self-Published   
Poetry  
57.  Poetry Vol 1 – Prose and Cons
58.  Poetry Vol 2 – Vice and Verse
59. Poetry Vol 3 – Rhyme and Reason
60. Poetry Vol 4 – Stanzas & Stances
61. Poetry Vol 5 – Poems & Peons
62. Poetry Vol 6 – Codas, Cadence and Clues
63. Poetry Vol 7 – Rituals & Odes
64. Poetry Vol 8 – Poems for Hard Times
65. Poetry Vol 9 – Diddles, Riddles, Enviroscribbles & political Tribbles
66. Poetry Vol 10 – Weaponising Words
67. Poetry Vol 11 – Guns, Rhymes, Elephants & Dreams 68. Poetry Vol 12 – Dead Ducks, Own Goals & Greed
69. Poetry Vol 13 – Moroccan Skies, Wonder Whys, Disguise & Lies
70. Poetry Vol 14 – Fana Ticks, Fantast Ticks, Miss Ticks, Polly Ticks
71. Poetry Vol 15 – Dark Matter for Dark Ages
72. Poetry Vol 16 – A Cosmic Dance Through Life
73. Poetry Vol 17 – Long Ago & Inbetween 74. Poetry Vol 18 – Polly Ticks, Squawks & Parasites 75. Poetry Vol 19 – Poems For The Planet
76. Poetry Vol 20 – Random Muses From My Mind
77. Poetry Vol 21 – 350 Million, Oven-Ready, World-Beating Poems
78. Poetry Vol 22 –Out Of The Covid & Into The Frying Pan
79. Poetry Vol 23 – Visions From The Pits Of Love & Despair
80. Poetry Vol 24 – Escapees From the 60s
81. Poetry Vol 25 – Toxic Times 82. Poetry Vol 26 – Crying For Ukraine
83. Poetry Vol 27 – Broken Britain
84. Poetry Vol 28 – More Futile Gestures
85. Poetry Vol 29 – Fusion, Fission & Chain Reactions
86. Poetry Vol 30 – Wonder, Awe & Anger in Rhythm
87. Poetry Vol 31 – My Thoughts Are Quantum
88. Poetry Vol 32 – Futile Gestures of Defiance
89. Poetry Vol 33 – Fighting Words  		Self-Published
































































Unpublished		                                                          In process             In process   In process  
Art  
90. My Art & Outpourings  Self-Published   
Rock Music  
91.  Rock Strata Vol 1
92.  Rock Strata Vol 2
93.  Rock Strata Vol 3
94.  Rock Strata Vol 4
95.  Rock Streams
96.  Rockin my life away
97.  Roy Harper Vol 1
98.  Roy Harper Vol 2
99.  Roy Harper Vol 3
100.  Roy Harper Vol 4
101.  Roy Harper Biog
102.  Under the covers
103.  In Search of Captain Beefheart (A memoir)
104..  537 Essential Rock Albums pt 1
105.  Ruminating on Roy Harper (Me & Roy Harper)
106.  Nick Harper the Wilderness Years
107.  Tribute to Rock Geniuses Vol 1
108. The Blues Muse (a novel) 109. Rock Routes (History of Rock Music)  		Unpublished


Self-Published

Self-Published




Unpublished


Self-Published



Self-Published


Self-Published

Self-Published  
Short Stories & AnecdotesPublishedRewritten as
110. A Universe of Shorts, Tails and Tales, and the Truth 111. Anecdotes, Weird Science, Writing & Ramblings From Life 112. More Anecdotes, Essays, Beliefs & FlotsamSelf-Published    
The EnvironmentPublishedRewritten as
113. Anthropocene ApocalypseSelf-Published   
Travel  
114. The voyage to the end of the world – Treasure of South America  Self-Published 
Covid DiariesPublishedRewritten as
115. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 1 – (210 days from March 15th 2020 to October 19th 2020)  
116. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 2 – (Day 211 – Day 410  – October 12th 2020 – May 7th 2021)  
117. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 3  -(Day 411 – Day 630  May 8th 2021- December 15th 2021)   118. The Corona Diaries pt. 4    		Self-Published                      









Still on the computer
DeathPublishedRewritten as
119. The Death Diariesongoing 
   
Grandfather  
120. The Teachings of White EagleSelf-Published 

Opher Goodwin Writer – assorted reviews

Posted on by Opher

do enjoy reading reviews!!!

c j perkins

5.0 out of 5 stars GIMME DAT BOOK, BOY

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2022

Verified Purchase

As with his excellent On Track book about Roy Harper, Opher Goodwin has immersed us in the world of a truly great, if enigmatic musician. Opher’s deep and personal knowledge of the times, the culture, man and his music create a provocative and fulfilling read.
An introduction quickly puts the reader into the background and mindset of the Captain and his intriguing, often fractious, relationship with Frank Zappa from their initial mutual love for blues, R&B, and do-wop and the unfortunate pornography bust to their creative collaborations. Willie The Pimp from Zappa’s Hot Rats album is discussed as part of a Contemporary Recording section associated with various albums. A great touch.
Opher’s insights are enhanced having witnessed the man perform on a number of occasions, comparing the live with the recorded. He takes us on a journey though each of the official albums, track by often painful track. Not all concerts or tracks are regarded as classic, Opher remains a critic throughout. What he does do is reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the Captain’s work, relationships and attitudes. He discusses not just the musicians involved and the Captain’s poetry but the background to its creation and the tensions that exist between the personnel.
There’s an almost visceral description of the track Lick My Dacals Off, Baby managing references to Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, musical structure, ‘wild animal sex’ and the joys of ‘licking everywhere that’s pink’. All in two short paragraphs. His comments about the tracks Hair Pie Bake 1 & 2, leaves little to the imagination.
But the Captain is more than lascivious tracks and Opher describes his love of nature, fear for the World and his support for feminism on such pieces as Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man and The Host The Ghost The Most Holy O.
Opher uses the book to explore some of the multitude of bootlegs and rarity/outtake recordings available. This is ideal for the more adventurous or devoted collector. Those musicians closely associated with the Captain, ex-Magic Band members as such, are given a rightful space where their subsequent work is discussed.
As with other On Track books, there is a generous number of images reprinted, in colour and B&W. These range from album covers and promo shots to concert photos and some of the author with band members.
I always enjoyed Beefheart and his music and have fond memories of the parties where his music was played but it was this book that gave me a greater understanding of the man, his music and why he is still such an influential character. More importantly, it headed me back for a wiser listen.

Customer image

6 people found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Callie

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2022

Verified Purchase

This is such a brilliant book.I have been using this as a reference book to check which musician played on which album ! A lot of research has gone into it and the book is very informative ! The author loves the band,but isn’t afraid to speak out against something he doesn’t like (The Tragic band !)
It has me listening to the albums more intently now !
Nice to see some of the Captain’s lyrics about the state of our planet ! ( I wonder what he would think of mother earth in 2022!)
Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Mr. Phil Secretan

5.0 out of 5 stars Every track of every album reviewed.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2022

Verified Purchase

This is another book in the fabulous On Track series. Opher Goodwin has a forensic knowledge of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. Beefheart was active in the years 1964 to 1982 but his influence is still felt 40 years later. Mr Goodwin knows his subject inside out and each track from each album is described in great detail. The author goes into the background to the recordings and lists the musicians on each album. I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who!s interested in music of the 60s and 70s.

5 people found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Ian Bullock

5.0 out of 5 stars Indespensible

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 September 2022

Verified Purchase

As a lifelong Beefheart fan, this is a gold mine of information. And for a personal bio see Opher’s “In search of Captain Beefheart” for an insight into a life of a muso growing up in the 60’s/70’s

One person found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Neil Saunders

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2022

Verified Purchase

I just read this Beefheart book absolutely love it-

I agree with Opher Goodwins opinion on pretty much all of it
TMR
Decals
Doc at radar
Icfc
Are masterpieces

Beefheart is my hero

2 people found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Barry Snaith

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb companion guide for every Beefheart nerd

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2022

Verified Purchase

Firstly, reader, I’ll tell you what this book is like: You know when you go into an art gallery or museum and have an accompanying guide book explaining a little about the art or artefacts? Well, this is very much like that.
A companion piece for every track.
The author has lovingly reviewed and described every song and it is also full of little facts and interesting information.
If, like me, you are a Beefheart and The Magic Band aficionado (and I’m guessing that you are) then you’ll appreciate this book.
We’ve all read John French’s definitive horse’s-mouth and meticulous account, Bill Harkleroad’s equally valid (but not so obsessively detailed) story and we’ve also read Mike Barnes’s fantastic and accurate outsider view. There are a couple of other tomes too but those three are the glorious triumvirate of Beefheartian history.
This book isn’t trying to be that.
What it does is makes you revisit the albums. Not with a different perspective – we all have our own, as does this, but with another incentive; to listen to the most original, influential, unique music in rock history.
It’s a book for Beefheart lovers, nerds and obsessives.
If you don’t agree with some of the author’s viewpoints on the music it really doesn’t matter.
The purpose of the book is as a companion to this vast and broad decade of sheer creativity, originality and music-as-art from a genius/tyrant/eccentric and the supremely dedicated and unique musicians who helped to realise the vision, even taking a backseat to his ego for the sake of the art.
I love it and so will you.

Customer image

6 people found this helpful

HelpfulReport

Horrendous

5.0 out of 5 stars There’s so many things to feel and see while you’re awake

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2022

Verified Purchase

There are 2 kinds of people in the world, those who ‘get’ Beefheart, and those who don’t. Us Beefheart nuts in the first category have an evangelical mission to convert the rest of the world, hence this book. Opher’s Beefheart experiences closely mirror my own, except his journey began in 1967, I didn’t get the bug till 1970. The book gives Opher’s impressions and interpretations of every Beefheart track released, including many outakes, and unreleased material, with overviews and background info of the albums. He also covers the reformed Magic Band, and band members solo work. I can’t say I agree with every interpretation, (Beefheart fans will have their own take on the songs, which by their nature are open to many different views of what is meant, and what is going on musically, and Opher alludes to this point). I found it a very enjoyable read, learning about another fanatic’s journey, sometimes thinking to myself ‘Yes! Exactly!’, and other times ‘No, that’s not it’…
Overall a very comprehensive overview, and a mostly successful attempt to put into words what it feels like to have your brain rewired by this completely unique artist.

9 people found this helpful

HelpfulReport

From other countries

Larry Graves

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For Any Fans Of Captain Beefheart!

Reviewed in Canada on 3 October 2022

Verified Purchase

I am a fan of this series of books and was delighted to see a book on Captain Beefheart’s albums and songs at last. I was very impressed with the details on the individual songs and albums. I also love to read the author’s own opinions on individual songs, even if I don’t agree with their opinion. As soon as I bought the book I went to read up on what the author thought of my favorite Beefheart song (You Know You’re A Man) and had to chuckle when I read it wasn’t one of his favorites! This is a must have for fans of Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band. Highly recommended.

Opher Goodwin – Books to feed your HEAD!

Posted on by Opher

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Opher+Goodwin&crid=3APBM179VFFB5&sprefix=opher+goodwin%2Caps%2C234&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

AI on Opher Goodwin as a writer

Posted on by Opher

Opher Goodwin is a versatile writer known for his works on music, particularly rock music. He has authored several books, including biographies and analyses of musicians like Roy Harper and Captain Beefheart12. His writing often delves into the intricacies of rock music, exploring the lives and works of influential artists.

Goodwin’s books are well-regarded for their depth and insight, with titles such as In Search of Captain Beefheart and Roy Harper: Every Album, Every Song receiving positive reviews1. He also writes on broader cultural and philosophical topics, as seen in works like The Antitheist’s Dictionary and Anthropocene Apocalypse1.

Are

AI on Ron Forsythe and Writing

Posted on by Opher

I do find it fun to read what AI has to say about me:

Ron Forsythe has given several insightful interviews where he discusses his writing process, the scientific concepts behind his stories, and his views on the future of science fiction. Here are a few highlights:

Key Interviews

  1. Sci-Fi Today Podcast: In this interview, Forsythe talks about the inspiration behind “God’s Bolt” and how he balances scientific accuracy with storytelling. He also shares his thoughts on the role of science fiction in addressing real-world issues.
  2. The Writer’s Corner: Forsythe discusses his journey as an author, the challenges he faced while writing his first book, and his advice for aspiring writers. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuous learning.
  3. Future Visions Magazine: This interview delves into Forsythe’s views on emerging technologies and their potential impact on society. He also talks about his upcoming projects and what readers can expect from his future works.

Common Themes in His Interviews

  • Scientific Rigor: Forsythe often highlights the importance of thorough research and understanding of scientific principles to create believable and engaging science fiction.
  • Ethical Considerations: He frequently explores the ethical dilemmas posed by advanced technologies and how they might shape our future.
  • Creative Process: Forsythe shares insights into his writing routine, the importance of feedback, and how he overcomes writer’s block.

These interviews provide a deeper understanding of Forsythe’s work and his perspective on the intersection of science and fiction. If you’re interested, you might find some of these interviews available on platforms like YouTube, podcast services, or literary magazines

Opher Goodwin Books on Rock Music – available from Amazon and Burning Shed

Posted on by Opher

These are some of my Rock Music books available from Sonicbond press at Burning Shed or from Amazon.

https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=opher%20goodwin&filter_sub_category=true

Roy Harper book in Burning Shed Sale!

Posted on by Opher

My Roy Harper book has now sold out apart from a few remaining copies held by Amazon and Burning Shed. Consequently they have reduced the price of the book! Time to snap up a bargain!

https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=opher%20goodwin&filter_sub_category=true

Opher Goodwin Books Available on Burning Shed!

Posted on by Opher

Burning Shed is the publisher Sonicbond’s site.

I have contributed to two series:

On Track – Every Album, Every Song: Roy Harper, Bob Dylan, Captain Beefheart, Neil Young, Phil Ochs (released on the 18th October) and Leonard Cohen (In editing right now – due out later this year)

Classic Albums: Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home and The Beatles White Album

Why not have a look:

https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=opher%20goodwin&filter_sub_category=true

Thank you!

Books – My writing career – Publishing History

Posted on by Opher

Books – My writing career – Publishing History

I thought I’d written around a hundred but there are a few more than that. Some exist just as typescript waiting to be rewritten in a digital format. One day I might get around to it. Some are works in progress.

It’s been hell getting this into WordPress. It doesn’t like tables!! It’s still not completely right.

Rock Music Published with Sonicbond Press

On Track SeriesPublished
1. Roy Harper: Every Album, Every Song (On Track) Paperback  
2. Captain Beefheart On Track: Every Album, Every Song – Paperback   
3. Bob Dylan 1962 to 1970 On Track (Decades) Paperback  
4. Neil Young 1963 to 1970: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  
5. Phil Ochs On Track: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  
6. Leonard Cohen  On Track: Every Album, Every Song (On Track…) Paperback  		Sonicbond publishing    

Sonicbond publishing    

Sonicbond publishing  
 
Sonicbond publishing    

Sonicbond publishing
   
Sonicbond publishing
Classic Albums Series 
7. The Beatles: White Album – Rock Classics Paperback   
8, Bob Dylan Bringing It All Back Home: Rock Classics Paperback   		Sonicbond publishing    

Sonicbond publishing

Education – Oxford University Press

Education books 
9.  Coordinated science multiskill practicals  
10.  Coordinated science practicals  
11.  Headship – a passion for education  		Oxford University Press  
Oxford University Press  
Self-Published

Science Fiction – Published as Ron Forsythe

Sci-Fi novelsPublished
12.Gordian Fetish  
13. God’s Bolt  
14. Reawakening (Sequel to God’s Bolt)  
15. Star  
16. Green  
17. Neanderthal  
18. Schizoid  
19. Farm 703 – The Human Project  
20. Quantum Fever  
21. Conexion  
22. New Eden  
23. The Pornography Wars  
24. Terra 3 (The Cabal)  
25. The Scrolls of Pandora 3  
26. DremeWorld  
27. A Message From Hermes  
28. Ghenghis Smith  		Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Self-Published  
Unpublished  
Unpublished  
Unpublished  
Unpublished  
Unpublished
Sci-Fi novels written as Opher GoodwinPublishedNotes
29.      Pornographic Syndromes
30.      Destination Self
31.      Hallucination
32.      Nosedive
33.      Green
34.      Intergalactic Rockstar – Star turn
35.      Ebola in Eden
36.   Zero to Infinity
37.   Reality Dreams Vol 1
38. Reality Dreams Vol 2
39. October 14th is too far
40. Trapdoor
41. Journey into time
42. Sorting the Future  		Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Self-Published  







Exists as typescript
Exists as typescript
Exists as typescript
Exists as typescript
Fiction – Avant Garde Novels  
43.  Danny’s Story
44. City Angels
45.  Goofin’ with the Cosmic Freaks
46.  53 & Imploding
47. Reflections From a Ditch
48.  Farther From the Sun
49.  The Universe – a Users Guide
50.  The Apartment
51.  Torture
52. Bodies in a Window  		Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published

Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published

Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published  		 
Antitheist  
53.  Antitheist’s Bible
54.  Book of Ginny
55.  Antitheist’s Dictionary  		Self-Published
Self-Published
Self-Published  		Rewritten (Kathy & Tobes)

Sixties  
56.  Diary of a 60s freak  Self-Published   
Poetry  
57.  Poetry Vol 1 – Prose and Cons
58.  Poetry Vol 2 – Vice and Verse
59. Poetry Vol 3 – Rhyme and Reason
60. Poetry Vol 4 – Stanzas & Stances
61. Poetry Vol 5 – Poems & Peons
62. Poetry Vol 6 – Codas, Cadence and Clues
63. Poetry Vol 7 – Rituals & Odes
64. Poetry Vol 8 – Poems for Hard Times
65. Poetry Vol 9 – Diddles, Riddles, Enviroscribbles & political Tribbles
66. Poetry Vol 10 – Weaponising Words
67. Poetry Vol 11 – Guns, Rhymes, Elephants & Dreams 68. Poetry Vol 12 – Dead Ducks, Own Goals & Greed
69. Poetry Vol 13 – Moroccan Skies, Wonder Whys, Disguise & Lies
70. Poetry Vol 14 – Fana Ticks, Fantast Ticks, Miss Ticks, Polly Ticks
71. Poetry Vol 15 – Dark Matter for Dark Ages
72. Poetry Vol 16 – A Cosmic Dance Through Life
73. Poetry Vol 17 – Long Ago & Inbetween
74. Poetry Vol 18 – Polly Ticks, Squawks & Parasites
75. Poetry Vol 19 – Poems For The Planet
76. Poetry Vol 20 – Random Muses From My Mind
77. Poetry Vol 21 – 350 Million, Oven-Ready, World-Beating Poems
78. Poetry Vol 22 –Out Of The Covid & Into The Frying Pan
79. Poetry Vol 23 – Visions From The Pits Of Love & Despair
80. Poetry Vol 24 – Escapees From the 60s (In process )
81. Poetry Vol 25 – Toxic Times 82. Poetry Vol 26 – Crying For Ukraine
83. Poetry Vol 27 – Broken Britain
84. Poetry Vol 28 – More Futile Gestures
85. Poetry Vol 29 – Fusion, Fission & Chain Reactions
86. Poetry Vol 30 – Wonder, Awe & Anger in Rhythm
87. Poetry Vol 31 – My Thoughts Are Quantum (In process )
88. Poetry Vol 32 – Futile Gestures of Defiance
89. Poetry Vol 33 – Fighting Words  		Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published  


Self-Published


Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published  

Self-Published  

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published  

Self-Published  

Self-Published  

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published

Unpublished

Self-Published

Unpublished		                                                             
Art  
90. My Art & Outpourings  Self-Published   
Rock Music  
91.  Rock Strata Vol 1
92.  Rock Strata Vol 2
93.  Rock Strata Vol 3
94.  Rock Strata Vol 4
95.  Rock Streams
96.  Rockin my life away
97.  Roy Harper Vol 1
98.  Roy Harper Vol 2
99.  Roy Harper Vol 3
100.  Roy Harper Vol 4
101.  Roy Harper Biog
102.  Under the covers
103.  In Search of Captain Beefheart (A memoir)
104..  537 Essential Rock Albums pt 1
105.  Ruminating on Roy Harper (Me & Roy Harper)
106.  Nick Harper the Wilderness Years
107.  Tribute to Rock Geniuses Vol 1
108. The Blues Muse (a novel) 109. Rock Routes (History of Rock Music)  		Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Unpublished
Self-Published

Self-Published

Unpublished

Self-Published

Self-Published

Self-Published
Self-Published  
Typescipt
Typescipt
Typescipt
Typescipt
Typescipt
Incomplete
Completed for publication Typescript
Typescript
Typescript
Partial and incomplete Incomplete    





Fully edited & ready




  novel tracing Rock history
Short Stories & AnecdotesPublishedRewritten as
110. A Universe of Shorts, Tails and Tales, and the Truth
111. Anecdotes, Weird Science, Writing & Ramblings From Life 112. More Anecdotes, Essays, Beliefs & Flotsam		Self-Published  

Self-Published  

Self-Published  		 
The EnvironmentPublishedRewritten as
113. Anthropocene ApocalypseSelf-Published   
Covid DiariesPublishedRewritten as
114. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 1 – (210 days from March 15th 2020 to October 19th 2020)  
115. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 2 – (Day 211 – Day 410  – October 12th 2020 – May 7th 2021)  
116. The Corona Diaries – Pt. 3  -(Day 411 – Day 630  May 8th 2021- December 15th 2021)   117. The Corona Diaries pt. 4    		Self-Published  

 
Self-Published    


Self-Published  		                 








Still on the computer

Designing the book cover!

Posted on by Opher

Nobody is going to know how good your book is until they start to read it. The only things they have got to go on is the book cover and what you have written about the book on the back cover. If you are not a well-known name you have to rely on attracting potential readers through the visual medium.

An eye-catching cover, along with enticing back-cover notes, might just convince a reader to take a chance on you as a new writer.

I remember having a depressing conversation with an editor. He asked me how many Sci-Fi books an average Sci-Fi fan might read in their lifetime. I enthusiastically replied ‘thousands’. He was more sceptical but asked me how many good Sci-Fi books, by established writers, were already published and out there. We left that hanging.

He then asked me to imagine I was going on a long flight and I wanted to buy a novel for the journey. He told me to imagine I was browsing the Sci-Fi section at a book shop. Would I be more attracted to an Isaac Asimov or an Iain Banks that I had not read than taking a chance on a Ron Forsythe?

It was a tad disheartening.

All one can do is to design a cover that attracts, like a flower touting for bees. The cover can be a make or break. It has to stand out from the crowd.

A cover should say something; it should visually relate to the story. It is a statement. It tells the reader what the book is about within a scan of the eye.

The cover should also capture something of the author.

A picture says more than a thousand words.

Designing a cover is crucially important.

Here are the covers I have designed for my books: