paulwhitewriter

[paulwhitewriter]

Hurry, it’s the last few days to get On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion at its special introductory price.

Paul White’s, On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion is a gloriously eccentric ride through the synaptic backroads of a writer’s mind. Born from his cult blog Further Ramblings from a Writer’s Mind, this collection is less a linear memoir than a kaleidoscope of digressions, part Proustian reverie, part stand-up comedy routine, and part existential GPS malfunction.

White’s genius lies in his ability to take the mundane (a childhood misadventure, a roadside diner’s questionable pie) and spin it into something profound, or at least profoundly funny. His prose crackles with the energy of a man arguing with his brain mid-thought, veering from sharp societal satire to wistful nostalgia without warning.

Imagine David Sedaris hijacking Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’, only to ditch the map entirely in favour of a meandering, mile-a-minute monologue. By turns hilarious and haunting, this is a book for anyone who’s ever stared into the abyss and then made it laugh.

On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion, Amazon, https://amzn.to/47lO0Ch

[paulwhitewriter]

Don’t miss out, save £££s now.

Have you ever wondered what might happen if Kafka had a sense of humour? Or if Monty Python turned their gaze to the peculiarities of contemporary existence?

This is the world of 'On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion', a sharply witty and perceptive read for anyone who finds modern life a little strange.

Now is your chance to own a first-edition copy, at a special introductory price before the book's official launch in September.

Save £££s, order your copy now.

[paulwhitewriter]

The Navy Wings Collection unites a range of owners and operators of historic Naval aircraft. This outstanding array of aircraft, when considered together, provides a unique insight into the full suite of Naval aviation achievements, from the very earliest days of flying aircraft from the water to the breathtaking technological advances that enable high-speed jets and heavy helicopters to land on the moving decks of ships at sea.

By bringing together historic naval aircraft, people, and the stories associated with flying from warships at sea, Navy Wings aims to inspire future generations and create a focus for remembrance. Navy Wings is committed to preserving and flying the nation’s historic naval aircraft.

Navy Wings shop now includes the book, Neptune and the Pollywogs: Documenting the Royal Navy's Traditional Crossing the Line Ceremony.

Neptune and the Pollywogs is an in-depth study of the most traditional of seafaring initiation ceremonies, Crossing of the Line, which is performed when one of Her Majesty’s Ships crosses the equator. The book examine the rites' historical roots, follow its chronological evolution, formalities and observances, the parts and origin of the characters used in the ceremonies historic and modern-day practice.

Each copy purchased via Navy Wings contributes to the charity's funds for keeping these amazing aircraft flying.

Order your copy today: https://shop.navywings.org.uk/collections/books/products/neptune-and-the-pollywogs-documenting-the-royal-navys-traditional-crossing-the-line-ceremony-by

[paulwhitewriter]

Occasionally, one comes across a book which is far too good to pass up. One such book is ‘The Water Detective’.

The Water Detective is the first book in a new cozy mystery series (by the wonderful author, Len Boswell) called The Berkeley Springs Mysteries.

Len Boswell is the author of twenty-four books, most notably his Simon Grave Mysteries, an award-winning series featuring the comic exploits of ‘almost handsome’ Detective Simon Grave and his ’nearly invisible’ partner, Sergeant Barry Blunt.

In the crowded field of cozy mysteries, a fresh voice and a uniquely bizarre setting can make all the difference. 'The Water Detective' delivers both with panache. The novel introduces us to Detective Eleanor Rigby Beaumont, a sharp, relatable protagonist whose name hints at the loneliness and melodic strangeness she encounters.

The plot is a Russian nesting doll of mysteries. The central murder, of a water-tasting judge in a town built on springs, is brilliantly original, providing a closed-circle suspect pool of quirky international characters. This is deftly layered with the ongoing ‘Redhead Murder’ cold case, promising a series-long arc that will hook readers for instalments to come. The true standout, however, is the town itself. Berkeley Springs is rendered with such tactile and peculiar detail, from its haunted castle to its titular bathtub, that it becomes a character itself.

The author skilfully balances the light, witty tone of a cozy (easy-peasy - not!), with genuinely eerie and Gothic elements. The woman in the Victorian gown is a particularly haunting image that elevates the story beyond a simple puzzle. While the mystery is satisfyingly complex, the heart of the book lies in the budding relationships and the protagonist's journey into a world where the impossible seems tantalisingly close to real. A most enjoyable debut to Boswell’s new series.

This new cosy mystery is perfect for fans of the strange and mysterious.

Grab your copy today. Amazon UK,

https://amzn.to/4mW4Fkk

[paulwhitewriter]

Why so many readers are missing the ‘good books.’

I have seen, as I guess you have, the number of social media posts where people boast of how many books they have read in the past month, quarter, year or whatever period they mention. Often this is accompanied by a ‘target’ number they aim to read by the end of the year. This saddens me and worries me to such a degree I have blogged about it in detail, https://ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com/2025/07/02/it-worries-me/ You see, reading, genuine reading from the perspective of a bookworm, or bibliophile, is far more than simply scanning the text on a page. It is greater than being scooped up by a story, a trope, a well-told yarn. ‘Real’ reading is much, much more involved and complex. I know there will be those who argue with me, the detractors, cynics and, in modern online parlance, the haters. However, whatever comments they may make will only reinforce, emphasise, and prove the facts I present. In simplistic terms, reading a low to mid-range book, of which there are millions, is like eating at a fast-food chain… It’s low-cost, cheap food, thrown together without much care or consideration by inexperienced workers. It initially tastes fine, slightly satisfying, and gives some basic nutrients, but that’s it. Overall, you know you sre simply consuming junk, and it is not healthy. The same goes for these basic books, the ones which are directed towards the mass market, often thrown together without much care or consideration, They are cheap, low cost stories, generally following an overused trope, are poorly written, have bad grammar, seldom professionally edited, inadequately formatted, and often written by inexperienced, novice, wannabe writers who think that authorship is a route paved with gold. Now, as I said above, there will be those who argue, saying this is exactly what they wish from a book. To be hooked by the overall tale and not be aware of any subtle remarks, views, statements, or subplots that may be woven into the narrative. These readers are the fast-food junkies of the book world. The shame is, by restricting their diet to mass market tomes, they miss out on all the delicacies offered by a well-written, well-presented, multi-layered story, written by serious, time-served, and professional authors. The best books may cost a little more, but, to continue the food analogy, they are loaded with depth of flavour, layers upon layers of taste that slowly reveal themselves. They are created from fine ingredients, presented with care, with flair, all served in a captivating, pleasing, and enticing manner. Just as a fast food junky will never get to experience the amazement of fine dining, readers who limit themselves to the quick read, the churned-out mass market media, will never get to comprehend the cleverness, the social commentary, the underlying psychology of a talented, skilful author's work. These books are the ones for the avid reader, the true booklovers, the bibliophiles; they are the crème de la crème of literature. As Ezra Pound writes, “Do not rush; the best way to enjoy books is to read them slowly, with feeling and attention. The man who reads a book in a hurry gains nothing but the plot.” Mortimer J. Adler supports this by saying, “In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” That’s all I’m saying today. While you are here, check out my latest book, On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination & Delusion: Musings, Reflections, & Existential Philosophy of Paul White. https://amzn.to/3UCdu6X

Cheers.

[paulwhitewriter]

ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT

Yes, there is just one week left to grab your copy of this remarkable book, while it's at a discounted, pre-official launch price. Order your copy now. https://amzn.to/477I3J4

Paul White’s ‘On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion’ takes readers on a wildly entertaining yet deeply reflective journey through the twists and turns of existence. Born from his acclaimed blog, ‘Further Ramblings from a Writer’s Mind’, this book blends sharp humour, poignant nostalgia, and existential curiosity into a singular literary ride.

With his signature wit and a philosopher’s eye, White dissects life’s universal struggles, love, loss, fear, and hope, turning roadside observations into profound revelations. Imagine David Sedaris and Kurt Vonnegut sharing a car, debating the absurdity of modern life while swerving between hilarity and heartache.

Perfect for fans of thought-provoking yet laugh-out-loud storytelling, this book is an invitation to buckle up and explore the messy, magnificent human condition, one irreverent mile at a time.

Amazon UK https://amzn.to/477I3J4

Amazon USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLCQHXGS

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FLCQHXGS

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FLCQHXGS

[paulwhitewriter]

DON’T TRUST AI WITH YOUR WORDS.

Here is why…

Love it or hate it, AI is here and it's not going away anytime soon. The more we understand how it works, the better prepared we are for using or avoiding it. No automated system, no algorithms, no artificial model can replace the human factor.

Trust us, not them!

[paulwhitewriter]

DON’T TRUST AI WITH YOUR WORDS.

(This post is regarding AI and its use in writing, not art… that’s another story.) Love it or hate it, AI is here and it’s not going away anytime soon. The more we understand how it works, the better prepared we are for using or avoiding it. Over the past few months, I have held discussions with writers, journalists, diarists, bloggers, technical writers, authors, correspondents, columnists,…

[paulwhitewriter]

The Book That Answers the Questions You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask.

Let’s be honest: Every writer has those ‘I should know this by now’ moments.

Maybe, it’s about word counts (How long should my novel be?)

Maybe, it’s deciphering publishing jargon, after all, what is an EAN?

Do I need a literary agent? Well, do you?

Or maybe, it’s those formatting mysteries, or which parts of your book go where… in what order are things supposed to appear?

You could trawl through vague forum threads, risk asking on social media, braced for the inevitable "Google it” replies, because they don’t know either! or spend hours piecing together conflicting advice.

OR…

You could read Lots of Author Stuff You Need to Know.

It's not a guide… It's a no-fluff reference book for all the practical, often-overlooked details that trip writers up, before you realise you're missing that key part of necessary knowledge.

Inside, Lots of Author Stuff You Need to Know, you’ll find straightforward answers to so many things, like:

Word counts. By genre, and because ‘just write until it’s done’ isn’t always helpful when querying agents.

Publishing terms are decoded.

Agents. Do you need one… and when?

ISBNs, ASINs, EANs, and Bar Codes explained.

Copyright and disclaimers and … what should appear on your copyright page?

Formatting & printing demystified, Covers, bleeds, spines, and why it all matters more than you may think.

The editor dilemma. Which, and when, do you need one?

Proofreader? Developmental editor? Line Editor? Other?

Blurbs, pitches & agent FAQs, told in plain, simple terms everyone can understand.

Stop guessing things. Stop making newbie, naïve, wannabe errors… Start knowing.

Whether you’re prepping your first manuscript or your fifth, Lots of Author Stuff You Need to Know is the cheat code you’ll wish you had sooner.

Save yourself time, money, and effort.

Ready to fill in the gaps? Then download your copy TODAY, and save yourself the ‘wait, really?!’ facepalms of realisation.

Lots of Author Stuff You Need to Know

Amazon, UK. https://amzn.to/45weS1j

Amazon, USA. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K5Z3F9K

[paulwhitewriter]

Are you Pottering or Puttering?

The other day, while reading, I came across the term ‘puttering’. At first, I thought it was a spelling error, as it is not a phrase commonly used in British English, and, as a lover of words, I decided to delve a little deeper as my curiosity was awakened.

This is what I found.

Pottering is the British English term commonly used for casual, unhurried activities, often involving small, unimportant tasks. Undertakings without any true or necessary objective in mind or result required from the effort applied, such as “pottering around the garden.”

Puttering, the comparable American English expression, tends to imply undertaking similar small, unhurried tasks that have a loose purpose or eventual goal, even if they are not urgent.

Potter likely comes from the Old English potian, to push, poke, or thrust lightly, which evolved into dialectal British potter, meaning to prod or work in a trifling way.

Putter is the American derivative of potter, but also linked to the verb putt, as in golf, implying light, aimless movement (Etymology).

The difference between pottering and puttering is subtle, and their usage often overlaps, but there are slight nuances, especially in terms of intention and outcome.

Puttering leans slightly toward doing small tasks at a relaxed pace and having an end goal. Pottering suggests a means of keeping busy without any real purpose or objective.

However, in practice, they are used interchangeably as both words convey a sense of pleasant, unfocused activity.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in The Hobbit, "Bilbo was happy to potter about in his garden, tending to his flowers and smoking his pipe, with no particular urgency."

John Updike, in Rabbit, Run, says, "He spent the morning puttering around the garage, picking up tools and putting them down again, accomplishing nothing."

Other examples of Anglo/American differences are clear when comparing the British ‘whodunnits’ by Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, and Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote fame. (USA)

Miss Marple: "She pottered about the village, noticing small details that others missed."

Jessica Fletcher: "She puttered in her garden, thinking over the case."

In usage, the line between the two is fuzzy, with no well-defined distinction.

Some of the earliest records regarding pottering appeared in British diaries during the 1700s, and letters describing unhurried, small-scale work, often with a sense of mild usefulness.

Putter emerged later, around the mid-1800s, possibly from the golfing term ‘Putt’, which entered the English language in the 1740s, not surprisingly with some Scottish influence.

Whether you are simply pottering about, deadheading roses, re-arranging your bookshelf, or puttering in the garage, placing bolts in one container and screws in another, take it easy, slowly, be mindful, be unhurried, and enjoy letting time flow past gracefully.

Would you like another way to pass a short while… then check out my blog, Ramblings from a Writer's Mind. With over 187 posts about writing for writers and authors, you’ll find a plethora of informative and interesting articles, short stories, and guest posts.

You can find Rambling for a Writer's Mind here,

https://ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com/

Enjoy.

[paulwhitewriter]

Only TWO WEEKS left

Think if Frank Kafka wrote comedy or imagine Monty Python dissecting modern life. On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion is the book your brain didn’t know it needed… until now.

#ExistentialHilarity #TwistedInsight #CalmExcitment #AngrilyHappy #AmbiguouslyDistinct #ConfusingClear

Following this book's official launch on August 1, On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination & Delusion will be priced at £11.99, so there's a huge discount for early birds.

You have until the end of this month to order your discounted copy @  just £9.99.

UK https://amzn.to/4lbzDDJ   USA/.COM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLCQHXGS

Early birds will also have a choice of any ‘Bite Size Read’ they choose when leaving a review, as a complimentary thank you. (Email me when you're done reviewing.)

I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Paul

[paulwhitewriter]

Let me introduce you to an amazing blog for writers, titled - Ramblings from a Writer's Mind: Writing about Writing for Writers. https://ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com

Established in 2014, Ramblings is a free, non-monetised blog dedicated to helping writers and authors by posting about all the author, authors life, and writing stuff we need to know. In fact, there are over 178 posts with the number growing frequently.

Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry, blogs, or technical pieces, Ramblings offers a welcoming space for all wordsmiths.

Explore a wide range of topics, from mastering literary techniques and creative cognitive imagery to designing book covers, character development, scene-setting, and the correct way to sign your books (the hows & whys).

You’ll also find posts on railways, nostalgia, memories, and even time travel, all written in clear, jargon-free prose. Alongside practical advice, there are guest blogs, short stories, light-hearted posts, and plenty more to enjoy.

If you find it useful, feel free to bookmark, follow, subscribe (it’s free), or join the email list. Most of all, I hope you take something valuable away from each post.

Visit today and see for yourself.

[paulwhitewriter]

“My dear, the real truth always sounds improbable, do you know that? To make truth sound probable, you must always mix in some falsehood with it. Men have always done so.”

—Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Demons (Also known by the equally enticing titles, The Devils, or The Possessed.)

Paul White’s ‘On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion’ takes readers on a wildly entertaining yet deeply reflective journey through the twists and turns of existence. Born from his acclaimed blog, ‘Further Ramblings from a Writer’s Mind’, this book blends sharp humour, poignant nostalgia, and existential curiosity into a singular literary ride.

With his signature wit and a philosopher’s eye, White dissects life’s universal struggles, love, loss, fear, and hope, turning roadside observations into profound revelations. Imagine David Sedaris and Kurt Vonnegut sharing a car, debating the absurdity of modern life while swerving between hilarity and heartache.

Perfect for fans of thought-provoking yet laugh-out-loud storytelling, this book is an invitation to buckle up and explore the messy, magnificent human condition, one irreverent mile at a time.

On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination & Delusion is due for official release on the 1st of September. However, early adopters of this book can order their copy NOW, at a discounted, introductory price of just £9.99.

Order via Amazon, https://amzn.to/4ftamUp

Read an extract here, https://virily.com/other/on-the-highway-of-irreverent-rumination-and-delusion/

[paulwhitewriter]

Bite Size Reads are a collection of short, captivating, and immersive stories especially written for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. These amazing tales cover many genres, including those listed here, such as Crime Fiction. As part of your KU subscription, you get the Bite Size Reads Collection for FREE. Simply choose the stories you most fancy, download them to your device, and they'll be ready for you to read whenever you have thirty or so minutes, far better than getting caught up in doomscrolling.

GOING HUNTING. A beach getaway on the Costa del Sol. Two weeks of sun, endless drinks, and the thrill of flirting with beautiful señoritas, it was shaping up to be the perfect holiday. But things take a darker turn when the Spanish police arrived at the hotel. Paradise was turning into a nightmare, and he needed to get out, fast. So, he was heading north, he was Going Hunting.

YOU CAN’T TRUST ANYBODY Enjoyable this light-hearted tale about a London pickpocket. Gary is having an excellent day preying on the unsuspecting. However, life can change instantly, and Gary is about to discover that Karma is real.

KIRSTY Kirsty is stunning and determined, a rising star in the world of fashion, willing to sacrifice anything to achieve her dreams. David, a struggling artist, finds his muse in her, and their relationship flourishes. But as fate would have it, a chance encounter changes everything, revealing secrets and lies from the past. Masterfully written with subtlety and suspense, Kirsty will keep you turning page after page, eager to discover what lies ahead.

THE PHONE CALL It all comes down to the Phone Call Charlie Five is waiting for. The conclusion to this day. The ending of a nightmare, or the beginning of a more horrendous one. How far will Charlie five go to save his family?

MICHAEL YORK Stranded in an unfamiliar time, Michael quickly becomes the subject of suspicion, questioned by local police who are mystified by his possession of a bloody dismembered hand and his arsenal of weapons. Michael must be patient while he awaits a rescue and recovery team to extract him. However, his most pressing concern is returning home before he is late… again… and ruins his wife’s meticulously planned dinner party, a prospect he finds far more terrifying than chasing intergalactic criminals.

DAISY AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Daisy longs to escape the bleakness of her life. Struggling to make ends meet and provide for her daughter, she reluctantly turns to prostitution, trading her dignity for a few extra dollars, just enough to cover the bills and put food on the table. With each encounter, Daisy edges closer to her escape, determined to break free before it's too late.

SUSANNE’S LAKESIDE COTTAGE Susanne’s Lakeside Cottage is the highly anticipated tenth book in Paul White’s acclaimed Bite Size Read compendium of stand-alone stories. This chilling thriller follows Susanne and Charles, a couple desperate for a break. They set off on a long-awaited weekend getaway to Susanne’s secluded cottage in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. With spine-tingling suspense, shocking psychological twists, and vividly graphic scenes of harm, this gripping drama immerses readers in a dark and unpredictable narrative

THE ARRANGEMENT She vowed to love him forever, then vanished without a word. One day, she was there, laughing, dancing, loving him without restraint. The next, she was gone. All that was left, a scribbled note.. No explanation. No reason. Just silence. The Arrangement is a searing, unflinching exploration of forced marriage and so-called ‘honour’ violence, ripped from real-world brutality. It lays bare its corrosive power, not just on victims, but on families, lovers, and the bonds between them.

Check out these Bite Size Reads, https://amzn.to/3YspCJ8 or scan the QR code.

[paulwhitewriter]

Scars of the Heart, Bob Van Laerhoven

https://amzn.to/4kZ4KCq

I am lucky enough to know Bob on a personal level. We became friends while his earlier book, ‘Return to Hiroshima’, was in translation.

This book, SCARS OF THE HEART, piqued my interest as I am a lover of short stories. Particularly well-written ones, ones which leave the reader with lingering thoughts long after closing the book. Scars of the Heart does exactly this.

Through ten stories set in different countries and eras, Van Laerhoven explores the destructive consequences of our passions as a common thread, spanning from contemporary Syria to Algeria in the 1950s, and from the civil war in Liberia to the uprising in the Belgian Congo in the 1960s.

To dip into the works of Bob van Laerhoven is always a journey into darkness, and these stories are amongst the darkest of his works that I have read. Immensely varied, in tone and style and setting and story, and yet.... behind all of the lurk the betrayal which I think of as this author’s signature theme. There is nothing inhuman here; he is not that sort of writer, but the humanity that he finds is a resolutely chilling one.

AK

Scars of the Heart hopscotches from Europe to Africa to South America to the Balkans effortlessly. The violence and sex are constant yet never gratuitous. There are heists, misadventures, genocides, retributions, gallows humour; the reader will never be bored. While the narratives are all headlong, his sentences are to be savoured.

I count this book as one of my most treasured literary discoveries and feel actual anxiety to think that, had circumstances been different, I might never have been lucky enough to stumble across the short fiction of Bob Van Laerhoven.

WC

Scars of the Heart, https://amzn.to/4kZ4KCq

[paulwhitewriter]

Authors in Wonderland: or, Falling Down the Rabbit Hole of Indie Publishing

I have been involved in the publishing and authoring world for a long time, both in traditional print formats (before the internet) and in modern digital forms. As a DTP/Self-publishing/Indie author, (the terms have evolved, but the principle remains the same). I have navigated the often tumultuous changes in the industry, from Lightning Source to IngramSpark, BookSurge, CreateSpace, and now…

[paulwhitewriter]

Only a few more weeks before On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination & Delusion is available.

It is a most entrancing book, one in which Paul White's musings, reflections, and existential philosophy are revealed in such a way that it makes you want, and even need, to read the next paragraph, the next page, the next chapter before you can even consider putting the book down.

Blending reality with invention, White crafts a captivating, thought-provoking monologue that invites readers into the fleeting, ephemeral thoughts flitting through his mind during his fanciful road trip.

With his trademark wit and seemingly disconnected yet strangely cohesive style, White delivers philosophical insights and modern observations that are both personal and delightfully amusing.

White offers a quirky, sideways look at the world, humorously dissecting life’s absurdities, society’s peculiarities and, above all, our personal connection with all that is around us, much taken for granted, much unrealised, but that which forms our very existence, our ideologies, and our self.

Hop aboard, join White on his meandering journey. Travel with him down the winding neural pathways of his existential psyche as he rattles along 'On the Highway of Irreverent Rumination and Delusion.'

Join the email list for a discounted launch price, pwauthor@mail.com (Subject- OTHOIRAD)

Paperback Only.