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September 17. 2008

I don't usually mention my family on here but there are always exceptions and this is one of them because the big news this month is that the arrival of grandchild number three is imminent! God.... me a granddad! I still can't quite believe that!

For those who are interested and who, like me, are Facebook junkies, I will post news of the new arrival (and some pictures hopefully) on my

Facebook page as soon as he or she turns up!

Aside from the horrific realisation that I am getting even older, on the work front it's been one of those months were lots has been going on but not much has happened so I haven't really much news to pass on.

I have however, been invited to visit Belarus in October to do some promotional work and to watch the England game. It's always nice to visit new countries and after the excellent showing by the lads in Croatia, it could be doubly exciting!

Speaking of Croatia, this month has seen a translation of Kicking Off released by Zagreb based publishers Celeber. The book looks fantastic and the response so far has been excellent so hopefully, I'll also be paying a return visit to that beautiful city at some point soon.

I've also been approached with the idea of writing some short comedy films for an internet TV channel which is quite cool as it means getting involved in something new and fresh which always appeals.

Bookwise, it's been simply a case of working on current projects and pushing them to some kind of completion so more news of those as and when.

One other thing that has been happening lately is that increasing numbers of people have been contacting me for advice on projects they are working on. Often these are first time authors or screenwriters and since it is always flattering to think that anyone places any store in my opinion, I try to help if I can.

However, as you can imagine this can be a very time consuming process especially when people send me scripts or even entire books to read. It can also be quite dangerous as there is always the risk, however remote, that someone will accuse me of stealing something they have written. For that reason, if I am working a book of my own I won't read any other books because I don't want anything to impact on my own writing process. Same thing with scripts. It's easier and (slightly) safer.

So, if you have sent me anything are waiting for a response, please don't think I have forgotten you because I haven't. It's just that I might be doing something else. But please feel free to give me a nudge every once in a while.

Finally, as some of you may know I have noticed, a slight revamp of the site is underway thanks to the genius that is Tom Wheeler.

Laters

Dougie

August 14. 2008

Since it finally hit the public domain last night, I suppose I can finally post news of my latest project which is (drum role please!) another movie. However, whilst I know this will come as a disappointment to some -although it will probably be a huge relief to others!- it is not a hooligan movie. In fact it is hard to see just how much further from football this possibly could be. It is actually a zombie movie entitled Killerweed and is about the impact a crop of contaminated cannabis has on the inhabitants of a small village in East Anglia.

The script has been written with my good friend Alison Bruce and is being produced by Julia Main at Sidlia Films. It's been quite an interesting process getting to this stage and not without a little drama but it has also been a lot of fun. I have to say, devising a unique, spectacular and gory way of butchering someone using only an ice cream van is an amazingly therapeutic way of spending an evening. It's even better if you substitute the word zombie with the name of  someone who has pissed you off that day!

Anyway I won't go into too much detail about the plot here but if you would like to know more about it, visit the quite brilliant web site at KillerWeed which will provide you with a teaser or two. There should also be a short trailer up quite soon.

One thing though, I don't have anything to do with casting so all you budding actors please stop mailing me! And that applies to both Billy's Log and The Crew!

Away from the world of the living dead, much of my time has been taken up with issues relating to HM Forces. Work on Books for the Brits continues as does the campaign to establish a dedicated hospital for our troops and veterans. The Facebook page we set up is going great guns whilst the Downing Street petition has now been signed by over 103,000 people! It actually closes on August 19th so if you haven't signed it, please do so as this is a vital issue and we must show the government the strength of feeling.

Of course one of the main obstacles facing us is finance but I was recently contacted by two guys who have come up with the most amazing idea to raise money.

In simple terms, they are in the process of establishing a charity which uses the commissions raised by an internet comparison site to make life better for our men and women in uniform. The amount of money they plan to raise is staggering but if their enthusiasm is any indication, they cannot fail. If you would like to know more about that either mail me or visit ForcesCover.

Finally, as some of you may know I have become a Facebook junkie so if you're a fellow obsessive, please feel free to pay me a visit.

Laters

Dougie

June 20. 2008

I'm thrilled to announce that work on the new script is going really well and we're about to start work on the second draft. This, as anyone who knows about such things will tell you, is a very significant stage. I can't wait to pass on details of this project as it is a total departure from anything I've ever done before and is really going to shock certain people!

Also on the movie front, I'm delighted to announce that the producers of both Billy's Log and The Crew enjoyed great success at the Cannes Film Festival so hopefully, it is now full steam ahead on both projects.

Away from the big screen, I'm currently working on a new book about my experiences in Russia which should be out later this year, early next. I'm also considering offers to write some more fiction with two projects based on real life events.

The Books for the Brits 2008 campaign continues apace and we're due to deliver more books to hospitals and care homes around the country over the next few weeks.

Could I also remind everyone to sign the petition calling for the establishment of a dedicated hospital for our troops and veterans. Please visit the Facebook page ( Hospital ) or go direct to the petition at Downing Street and sign it there. Please take the time to sign. It really is a vital issue.

Finally, in response to numerous mails and calls, I would like to make it clear that I have nothing to do with the sequel to Green Street which has recently been announced by Odd Lot Entertainment and is currently filming in the US.

All I really know about it is that Ross McCall -who played 'Dave' in the original- is the lead actor and I do have a rough idea of the story. But although loathe to comment, I do have to say that given the fact that other than Ross, there doesn't appear to be anyone British involved with the project, I don't really hold out much hope. Time will tell I guess.

Laters

Dougie