17 Comments
User's avatar
M. Paula Coelho's avatar

I have to say that you are extremely talented with your descriptions. I felt like I was following David the whole time. I saved this piece, so that I could read it during a nice cozy meal. I immediately put my dish aside the moment the husband and wife gave David a funny look. Then, proceeded to go to your website and ordered "The Gate in the Shadows"! I'm so excited to read more about him! :) Great read Nigel! Thanks for putting your art into the world!

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

Blimey! I am genuinely bowled over. I just hope I have done a good enough job on the Gate, and if I haven't, please be honest and let me know. I just want them to be good.

What a lovely start to the day as I get stuck into more editing.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
M. Paula Coelho's avatar

I'm excited to read it! I'm sure it's great. I'm setting time aside this week to start :) I'm happy to support all authors and writers out in the world. Especially my new Substack pals!! :)

Expand full comment
Echoes of Elsewhere's avatar

Fantastic. As your other work it just reads so well. So easily visual in my mind. And 'yes' it is cosy. Curl up on the sofa with a giant cup of tea!

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

Thank you. I am so glad you said tea and not coffee. The proper way to do things.

Expand full comment
Echoes of Elsewhere's avatar

We are Gentlemen!

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

Oh, I LOVED that !

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

Thank you so much.

I was working on Gate in the Shadows until late yesterday so it was a bit late, but I got there eventually.

Gate is all done, and I checked the files this time. You have no idea what horrors I found, bits that make no sense because things they refer to have been removed, utter madness, but it is sorted now. If just one chapter had changed by adding or removing a page I would have noticed something was odd and alarm bells would have gone off big style, but never mind, it is done now. I am starting on the next one today, so when that is finished AND CHECKED CAREFULLY I will order your copies and get them sent over. I could even go the whole hog and bring them over to IJmuiden. I watch the ferry go past my windows every day.

I am so pleased you enjoyed reading about David anyway. He may be a grumpy old git at times, but what he gets up to is interesting.

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

Nice! I’ll make sure to stack my current paperbacks in the last bookcase of my library, so I won’t break my promise to not read them ;)

Shipping from the UK to NL has gotten a little pricey since your country left the EU. I’m most willing to pay the costs, so let me know.

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

I wouldn't dream of letting you pay for that. I am so lucky to have a few people willing to read my offerings before I launch them onto an unsuspecting world, people I can talk to.

I am now dreaming about the ferry trip. Just me with a printed copy of my next book, a pad, and a pencil. That is all I need. Two days with nothing to do but read and write. On a day like today it would be perfect. I can't even see any waves out there.

Knowing my luck I would be on the ferry that makes the news, the one stuck in the middle of the North Sea in a storm, with sick people everywhere.

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

I’m positive I would be able to cope with the Northern sea smell of your clothes. I’m Dutch.

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

I’m patient ! Deeply disappointed about the cuppa though, I will surely cry myself to sleep tonight. Sure hope that does not bother you, Nigel.

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

Be thankful I am not coming over. I have been on one of those ferries on a rough sea before, enough to know that the sea does not bother me one bit, but it definitely bothers everybody else, and it is not nice. The smell alone never washes out of your clothes and you have to burn them.

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

Well, come over for a cuppa 😂

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

Much as I would love to pop over for a cuppa, you should see what the waves are like out there now. Going to give that one a miss thanks.

Meanwhile, there will be a short delay before I wrap up a parcel. I have finished Gate, and now Destruction of Faith too, but I simply couldn't resist having a little look at Oliver.

Oliver is getting a few tweaks.

Well, if I was putting two books in the package, may as well make it three.

I love editing.

Expand full comment
Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

You’re the creator and I’m the BUYER 😂😂

But I wouldn’t dream of bursting your bubble. I live in Hoorn, it’s a decidedly pretty city, if you wish to extend your trip ;)

Expand full comment
Nigel Code, Author's avatar

There is a company in Alkmaar I have always said I would visit one day. That would be an excuse to slap the whole thing on expenses. :)

Expand full comment