simon wood

SHELF LIFE: Bulletproof

I’m not bulletproof. I hope to be one day but I’m not. I wound easily. No, I’m not talking about being bulletproof in a percussion weapon way (so please don’t try shooting me) but in a literary way. The topic of author […]

SHELF LIFE: Backhanded Compliments

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:34 I’ve cribbed this quote from Luke to talk about the backhanded compliments that I’ve encountered. As a professional scribbler, you have to be able to take things […]

SHELF LIFE: Shameless

I recently finished Jon Ronson’s excellent new book SO YOU’VE BEEN PUBLICLY SHAMED which explores public shaming of all varieties through the medium of social media.  For me, Ronson is a cracking nonfiction writer.  As a writer and journalist he tackles the […]

SHELF LIFE: Looking For Strange

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” ~Sherlock Holmes I’m totally with Sherlock on this one…especially when it comes to the improbable.  I’m drawn to the weird, odd and bizarre.  I’m fascinated by the […]