Publications
Introduction
As a writer and publisher (on and off) for nigh on twenty years, I am well aware of how difficult it is to make much of an impression in the somewhat parochial world of local history. Audiences are small, specialist and often hard to reach, and any profit margins are usually narrow. Anyway, that hasn't put me off, so there's no reason why it should deter the rest of you. And these days it's very easy to self-publish for small markets, and even for fun (i.e. a single copy for yourself).
I would urge you all to consider brilliant new sites such as Lulu to meet any such needs (and there are others around, too). They are useful for things like local histories, family histories, autobiographies, memoirs and even for publishing your diaries. You can put them up on offer to the rest of the world (copies are printed individually as folk order them, and the organisation does all the work for you), or you can keep them 'private' so that only you can access them and print off copies. You can even make 'downloadable' versions to enable folk to just order an electronic copy at really cheap rates - which is a handy option as the p&p rates for the 'hard copy' versions are hefty (though p&p rates ease a little if you order more than one copy).
At Lulu, for example, you will find my own 'Storefront', where (among other things) the following may be found:
Aspects of North-East History, Vol.1 - Basically a re-hash of my own local history articles from the late 1980s through to 2004. Many of you may have missed them first time around, so I hope you will find them of some interest.
Aspects of North-East History, Vol.2 - More of the above, with some new material thrown in.
The Siege & Storming of Newcastle, 1644 - A re-write of the Victorian classic concerning the great defining moment in the city's history.
In & Around Helmsley - A 4,700-word illustrated essay on the North Yorkshire parish. This is an extended, colour version of the article which appears in 'Aspects of North-East History, Volume 1'. (Only available as an electronic download).
But this section of the website is not only for my benefit, but also for that of any of my readers who have brought out similar writings. This may be an old-fashioned 'hard copy' book or booklet, a self-published effort via someone like Lulu, or a downloadable effort available from elsewhere on the web. Let me know all about it and I'll give it a mention in the newsletter and then I'll add it to the following 'rolling' list for everyone to admire ... as long as it has a North-East connection!
List of Publications
[official blurb follows]
Michael Richardson, Keeper of Gilesgate Archive, would like readers to be aware of his range of publications as listed below. Most of these should be available via Amazon, but may also be available on eBay, or in local shops and tourist info centres. Michael can be contacted at GilesgateArchive@aol.com :
... this book is now out! ...
Durham City: New Discoveries is the title of a new book by Michael Richardson, keeper of the Gilesgate Archive. Contains over 470 previously unpublished photos of the city by an acknowledged expert in the field. Though I've not seen the book myself, I have read some impressive reviews. The book can be ordered direct from gilesgatearchive@aol.com or (0191) 3865568 or (0191) 3841427, free local delivery, signed by the author and a £2 discount. A4 size, hardback, RRP £16.99, direct price £14.99.
Hexham in the Seventeenth Century: Economy, Society, and Government in a Northern Market Town by Anna Rossiter is the new offering from the Hexham Local History Society. It is a work of some substance, running to in excess of 300 pages, and is available in hardback, paperback or digital download. It can be purchased by a number of different means - see the website above for further details (you can save on p&p by picking it up in person - contact tandtw@hotmail.co.uk ).
Also available from the Hexham Local History Society is Hexham Timeline, being a list of key milestones and events in the town's history which provides a handy guide for tourists, history students and amateur historians. The 8-page concertina-fold leaflet also contains a reading list for those interested in taking their investigations further. Edited by Mark Benjamin with illustrations by Stan Beckensall, it is available in local shops for £1.90 and via the society's website (above) for £2.40 inc.p&p (ed's note: couldn't find on site when I last looked, but will no doubt be there soon - or email them about it!).
I am going to be cheeky and place my very own recently published, non-local book in the list, too - at least for a while (and, why not? It's my website!). The subject matter is neatly summed up in its title:
England's First Football Captain: A Biography of Cuthbert Ottaway, 1850-1878
It gives an account of the astonishing sporting career of one of England's great unsung heroes. One of the truly great all-rounders of his day, Ottaway set records and 'firsts' almost everywhere he went - and died at the tragically young age of 27. Leaving a pregnant teenage wife behind, the book also brings his tenuous direct line of descent down to the present-day.
It can be obtained direct from my publisher at www.soccerdata.com . Click on the image of my book down the right-hand side of the website and you will see how it can be purchased.