Hi everyone, if you are interested in writing, we are setting up a writers' group in The White Swan starting tomorrow evening at 7.30. It's open to everyone, published, unpublished, or not even interested in doing any writing themselves - just hearing from others and sharing their ideas. We just want people to come along and see where it goes, without any airs and graces. All are welcome.
Hello everyone, the sequel to The Charlton Men is now in the midst of being released. It was supposed to be released with a book launch in The White Swan around the time of the Wimbledon game, but my father died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Ireland last month. That has knocked a lot of things out of kilter, and haven't really bothered with the book to be honest. But there will be a launch in The Swan at some point a few weeks from now, and the Kindle edition is now available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bones-Season-Paul-Breen-ebook/dp/B01LW7PY2F/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 It is also available on the publisher's website. I'll be selling print copies in The White Swan and hopefully at the Trust stall in the very near future, and these will be cheaper if anyone wants one - only a tenner each and no post & packing. The Kindle and print launch was supposed to be in synch, but as I say events in Ireland put paid to those plans. Thanks to all who bought the last one and if you liked that hope you enjoy this one too. Thanks also to the cover designers Chris Dunn/Ken Sinyard of the CAS Trust.
If anybody wants a copy of either of the two books I have written with a Charlton theme, I am hoping to sell copies of both at The Supporters Trust Stall before Saturday's game from about 2pm. I can also drop them off elsewhere in the vicinity on Saturday afternoon.
If anybody wants a copy of either of the two books I have written with a Charlton theme, I am hoping to sell copies of both at The Supporters Trust Stall before Saturday's game from about 2pm. I can also drop them off elsewhere in the vicinity on Saturday afternoon.
I'll be at Stocksbridge Park Steels v Nantwich if you can do a slight detour.
Both good reads, the first one will make you all misty-eyed about a wonderful season which is only the backdrop. The second is a far different read and good in a different way
Hi guys, I'm the author of the book and just wanted to let you know that I am on here under the name centurion (since about April 2012 I reckon) though I tend to read rather than post stuff usually. Most of my comments about games are submitted anonymously to the blogs and forums. I'm also a member of the Supporters Trust and a season ticket holder. I've also got a new Twitter account under the name of @CharltonMen where I'll cover things about the book.
Anyway - just a bit about myself. I'm from Ireland but moved to Charlton/Greenwich in 2006 to work as a lecturer in Greenwich University, and started following the Addicks, having grown up supporting Liverpool since most people across the water follow the 'big' teams. This book started out as a factual story of becoming a Charlton supporter over five years, but when I sent it off to publishers they suggested it should become fiction. That's how the book in its present form was born, and if it's successful they want me to write another one. Essentially it's a story that combines the lives of a few characters in the Greenwich area with the story of Charlton's 2011/12 season. It's also got other bits of history from further back in there. I hope I've done justice to that, because when you're not native to a place and a club, it takes time to pick up accurate information. I hope I've captured a sense though of what it means to support Charlton, not for everybody who follows the club, but for two people with a particular set of experiences. I think the reason I have managed to get this published is because I talked to the publishers about a love affair with Charlton which is what it is in some ways. You've got the good, the bad, the bits in between, and underneath it all this attachment that builds up over time. If people like the book, I'll be happy. There's about 75,000 words and 248 pages so there's quite a lot in there, and an awful lot left out as well.
Finally I'd say it's also a hymn to the class of 2012 (as Voice of the Valley called them in their most recent post); to Chris Powell and his team. When I finished it last September, I'd say it was contemporary. Now, after the likes of Chris, Dale, and Yann have gone, it feels more historical. I'm sure more will follow them out the door this summer but I hope my book helps preserve the memory in some small way, and introduces Charlton to a lot more people out there.
I don't comment often on here, as I said, and I can't even remember when I last did, but just want to make sure supporters know I'm not somebody from outside (even though I suppose technically I am) writing about the club. I'm telling a story as I've experienced it, in a shortened form. I've been around since the days of Pardew and Parkinson and wrote about all that too, but in the final form, most of the story is about the season we got promotion and the lives of people close to the club. Maybe in some ways the last half dozen years aren't typical of most supporters' experience, and I wish I had been around in the Premier League years, but if I write another book it will focus more on those Premier days. As it is, this story is essentially about escaping the dark days, and not just for the club but for the fictional characters as well, and for London after the riots of 2011. I think it's also important to say that the views of characters in the book are not necessarily mine. It is fiction, aside from the parts where Charlton's history is described, and where the action's taking place on the pitch.
Hope this helps answer some of the questions that people might have and one last thing - thank God we didn't get relegated this season. The book does contain quite a few references as we're on our way to promotion about being glad at going up and not having to make any more trips to places like Yeovil and Rochdale. Roll on the closer surrounds of Fulham next season!
Reading it now Paul and enjoying it so far. Making me nostalgic for when we had proper "Charlton men" like Sir Chris and Yann. Oh well, we've still got the skipper.
Reading it now Paul and enjoying it so far. Making me nostalgic for when we had proper "Charlton men" like Sir Chris and Yann. Oh well, we've still got the skipper.
@SoundAsa£ - the book is loads cheaper than construction equipment too - I sell them on the Supporters Trust stall sometimes or can drop them off anywhere round the ground on match day. Have a second one out now too. There might be only one Gary Breen, but there's two books!
If anybody is interested in getting a copy of one of my books I will be selling a few at the Supporters Trust stall today from about two until half two - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-Breen/e/B00KB4V4MI/ -
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It is also available on the publisher's website.
I'll be selling print copies in The White Swan and hopefully at the Trust stall in the very near future, and these will be cheaper if anyone wants one - only a tenner each and no post & packing.
The Kindle and print launch was supposed to be in synch, but as I say events in Ireland put paid to those plans.
Thanks to all who bought the last one and if you liked that hope you enjoy this one too.
Thanks also to the cover designers Chris Dunn/Ken Sinyard of the CAS Trust.
Now 'that's' Spooky!