n_carraway

Blimey, now over ?3,000 raised, and was just in the Indie on Sunday, in case you missed it. [link] [www.http://tiny.cc/0hhbrx] [/link] Thanks tons + Happy Christmas Chris

East Dulwichers A big, big thanks to everyone who has shared the http://www.youngminds.org.uk/savethehelpline link, who've written to say how the Helpline has helped, and especially those who have donated. We've raised ?2,279 through crowdfunding so far. Crowdfunding runs until Christmas Eve, so if there's anyone who's in want of some good Christmas charm and spirit... Also, please don't forget that if you've got any concerns about a child or teenager's mental health, the Helpline is free and anonymous and will give you guidance and assurance. 0808 802 544. Best Chris

Thanks Bornagain and Alex You could also try this link, which takes you right to the crowfunding page: [link] http://www.youngminds.org.uk/savethehelpline [/link] And I should mention too that, if you think you need the Helpline - it could be your child is under school stress, or you suspect cyberbullying, sexting, and other nasty things - to please ring. It's confidential, costs nothing, and it's a big, big help. The number is 0808 802 544 Thanks again

Hi all There are several us at YoungMinds - staff and volunteers - from East Dulwich, and others yet who used to live there. And even though the Parents Helpline (see below) is completely anonymous, you'd have to think that some of the parents who ring it are local as well. We're based near Borough Market. Talking about mental health is still taboo. But we?ve got a cracking helpline at YoungMinds, staffed by 30 or so volunteers. 10,000 parents distressed about their child?s mental health and emotional wellbeing ring it every year. For free - we?re a charity, after all. Tough news is that, owing to budget cuts, it?s about to run out of funding, after 21 years. It?s the only helpline of its kind in the UK. It goes and it?s gone. That?s that. But we can save it. We?ve made this short film - a real corker - narrated by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakshield for all of you fans of The Hobbit films, and star of Spooks), and are having a go at crowdfunding to raise ?20K. Please have a peek; it's only 90 seconds. And if you would please share this link (and tweet it, if you?ve got Twitter) that'd go miles and miles - just what you need in crowdfunding. Naturally (and for good luck) please donate ?10 or even ?15, 25 or more if you?re feeling flush. And please know that I don't ask you to do anything I haven't done. Have donated and plastered on Facebook and LikedIn. Because it's important thew Helpline sticks around. Here's the link: [link] http://www.youngminds.org.uk/savethehelpline [/link] Happy Christmas + thanks tons Chris

Didn't know about the Muriel Spark book. But I'm going to get it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Newboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Just downloaded my copy and looking forward to > reading it! > > Edited to add: also enjoyed 'becoming Nancy' just > in case 'intothegroove' is still using this forum Thanks, Newboy. That made my day. And 'Becoming Nancy' is good stuff, isn't it. Sadly missed the launch at... crikey, it's been a bit, but it was at that nice homeware shop along Lordship Lane, sort of near Franklin's. Hope you like the book and happy Christmas. Chris

Blimey. You mention something on the East Dulwich Forum, and you go to the Top 3 (No 2 , to be precise) in the book charts. Amazing! Many thanks, everyone. Enjoy. And happy Christmas and New year. Here's hoping the rain turns to snow and the EDT doesn't run dry of Laphroig. Best Chris

Ha! And Little Waitrose thugs storm in, armed with organic ciabattas and bricks of cheddar from The Cheese Block.

I bumped into some old mates the other day who still live in Lordship Lane and who asked how my novel Now You Know (set in East Dulwich, Peckham, Lewisham, etc) was doing, where it's available, etc. Made me realise how much it still takes me by surprise that when I catch the train home from London Bridge, it's to Brighton, rather than East Dulwich, like it was for years. I was relieved to say the book's doing well, and thought I'd better update everyone on its availability. Naturally, I'd still recommend Review, Chener's, Herne Hill Books, and Dulwich Books, but there's also... Available in ebook OR paperback through: [www.bookdepository.co.uk] *ships free worldwide* [www.barnesandnoble.com] [www.amazon.co.uk] [www.amazon.com] [www.powells.com] Available in ebook through: [itunes.apple.com] [store.kobobooks.com] Available in paperback through: Any independent bookshop Waterstones, Blackwells, etc There we have it. Maybe it's ton early, but Happy Christmas all the same Chris

Much as I love -- and recommend, if I'm honest -- the high you get from going to Review, or Chener's, or Dulwich Books, or Herne Hill Books, or the Bookseller Crow (all of whom have it in paperback), if you've got a Kindle, you've got a Kindle, and Now You Know is now in Amazon's Hot 100 ebooks. http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=br_lf_m_693580031_pglink_4?ie=UTF8&plgroup=1&node=693580031&plpage=4 So, there we have it: rampant literary promotion. Enjoy. Chris

Aw, brilliant, Shell_8. Makes my day. Am really chuffed. Thank you. Chris

markyb3 Wrote: Cheers, MarkyB. Gold stars for you for one of the first online reader reviews. Hope you like it through and through. ------------------------------------------------------- > I am reading this book at the moment and I must > say I'm hooked

Heya Into the Groove I'd like to read it. I often think, when I'm out for a wander in E Dulwich, what the area was like decades back. I remember the first time I visited, in 1999 or so, and think how much it's changed since then. 1979 ... whole different story, I imagine. Wil you please let me know when the book is out? Best Chris

A good friend of mine was walking her dog, and baby, and spotted this in the window of Review. naturally, I reached for a bottle of fizz

A bunch of you wrote to say you ordered it. And I never would have guessed so many would have checked ohecked out this thread. I'm very, very chuffed. Thanks Chris

If it is, I could be in trouble. Alan Medic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Honest, I don't know. Is EDWG a women's group?

does 'sifting swiftly up the high street' count? kford Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > woodrot Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > any car chases in it ? > > No. The new traffic calming out paid to that.

Thank you, Sillywoman. Hope you like it. Best wishes Chris sillywoman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > just got the kindle version - looking forward to > it :)

Aw, cheers, Joy. Thank you. Hope you like it. Chris joy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > just ordered it on amazon :))

Cheers, Bozza. Yoo're very kind. Hope you enjout it. Best Chris Bozza Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Just bought a copy for the kindle, good luck!

League of Gentlemen? You're right. No longer local, but still love Franklin's. And the butcher. steveo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You're not local though. Is this suitable for > local people?

Ha! Well, it's something of a love scene, when two people first meet. So, slow service is good service, if you want to moment to last.

Ha, yes, Good Lady Folk are of course included. I meant 'chaps' in the silly and all inclusive sense.

Chaps East Dulwich in a novel? Really? Yes, indeed. East Dulwich ? the Blue Mountain Cafe, in penultimate scene ? features in a new novel, called Now You Know. Local bookshops stocking it include Bookseller Crow and Revue. Cheners can get it in for you ? in fact, any bookshop can order it *like that*. Also available online through all of the usual channels, and on Kindle, iReader and ... please don?t make me list everything. Basically, no matter what format you like, it?s available. ...But then, if, like me, you?re old-fashioned, there?s nothing better than popping into the local bookshop and walk away with a paperback under your arm. If you want to see more before committing yourself to anything, please have a peek at www.nowchristopher.com But for now: I lived in and around East Dulwich for years and, in fact, finished the first draft of the book during a seven-month stint on Lordship Lane. There was a celebration at Franklin?s that night. Oh, yes, there was. Also, I was part of the EDWG, and the book was edited by Debi Alper, who lives (and writes) locally. All the best and thanks. And I hope you like the book. Please have a peek, spread the word, review it if you like. Chris Now You Know Part mystery, part coming of age, part audacious grasp for celebrity and its riches, Now You Know shows Charlie in an imagined dialogue with Stephen Fry, recounting the summer when he was seventeen, and lived next door to a man who he?s certain was the mysterious hero, known only as M.

Hi All As a former East Dulwich resident, now in Brighton, I still have a soft spot for my old neighbourhood ? Franklin?s, in particular. And I have to wonder as I write, if the swimming pool refurbishment is complete (and will it ever be completed)? But all of that is an aside. I work at a charity ? YoungMinds ? that helps children and young people with mental health issues. We also help parents concerned about the emotional wellbeing of their children It?s about this, the YoungMinds Parents? Helpline, that I post this message. First off, it?s free ? so please don?t think for a second that I?m writing to try to drum up money (not that there?s anything wrong with that; but still, I want to be clear on that point, that this message is about info, not money). The Helpline, to my mind, is something of a triage service, in that it helps you figure out if your child is, say, simply being a moody teenager, or if there is something more serious that ought to be explored. It helps you figure out what to do, what to say, what steps to take, and what your rights are. Some times just talking to someone can give you peace of mind. And, if you need extra help, there?s also a callback service ? that too is free. (All of it is, in fact.) Please know that the Helpline is not just a telephone service, but also available online. So whether you want to talk to someone, or email, or contribute to a parent-to-parent forum, it?s all there for you to do as you like. The other thing I hope you take away from this post is that the Helpline is completely confidential. Also, that good mental health is the same as good physical health. There?s no need to feel funny or ashamed about it. The Helpline number is 0808 802 5544, or you can see it online here: http://www.youngminds.org.uk/ Oh and please don?t mind the basic-look of the website; it re-launches, looking fresh and new, later this month. All the best Chris