The 50% Challenge looms ...

My new book Constable Colgan's Connectoscope now stands at 35% funded. And, after the Summer lull, it's time to push on to 100% and get the book out there. So it's time for a competition and a prize draw I think.

Firstly, the draw. Once I hit 50%, I will take the names of everyone who has pledged on my book and pop them in a hat. I will then get a third party to randomly select a winner. And they'll get this:

It's an original painting, by me, in acrylics and it depicts the very first Connectoscope and the very first Constable Colgan. At one time I considered it as the book's cover but, as the project evolved, it became clear that it didn't really fit. It will form part of the cover but won't be the main image. And it could be yours. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to pledge on the book at any level; you'll automatically become part of the draw. Roll on 50%!

Meanwhile, it's about time we had another competition. I'm going to come up with something special for the 50% mark and ANYONE will be eligible to enter - regardless of whether you're pledging on my book or not. Everyone who enters will get sent an original doodle of their choice drawn on a postcard by me. Yup, you want a tyrannosaurus unicycling outside an STD clinic ... I'll doodle it. You want a Motown girl group of dogs ... piece of cake. I'll even cover the postage. But the main prize will be ...

Well, I'm just working on that but, rest assured, it'll be something VERY special.

So get pledging on the book. Or bully everyone you know into buying the book. Tell your friends. Shout it in the streets. If we can get this bugger funded quickly, it may even be ready in time for Christmas this year.

Fly my beauties, fly!

Constable Colgan's Connectoscope is here!

In 2008, I published Joined-Up Thinking (Pan Macmillan) - a series of mad circular journeys through the world of trivia. Now, four years later, I'm back with Constable Colgan's Connectoscope. Bigger, fatter, madder and more entertaining than ever. And so is the book.

I'm publishing the book with Unbound because, in this double-dip, austere, money-is-all-that-matters economy, they are doing something new and exciting and, in my opinion, right. They're putting the power to decide what gets published back into the hands of the readers, rather than company accountants. With Unbound, you get to decide whether my new book becomes a reality. Yes, it's a gamble for me. But I believe in my book and I believe in what Unbound stands for. And I'm not alone. In this past year they've published the likes of Terry Jones, Jonathan Meades, Robert Llewellyn, Kate Mosse and Mrs Stephen Fry. I'm proud to be joining the list.

So, if you want to see my new book become a reality visit Unbound now and pledge. You can pledge at various levels for the e-book, the physical book or for some other tasty treats and enticements I'm offering. Even at the lowest levels you'll get your name in the book and have access to my 'Author's Shed' where I'll regale you with content that the rest of the public don't get to see.

Still not sure? Then try Joined-Up Thinking first. It's a few years old now and you can pick it up dirt-cheap on Amazon and other book sites or, of course, in a book shop. Or look at the reviews posted over in the right hand column of this blog. I've never had a bad one. Which is nice.

Damn you're a hard sell. Okay then. Watch this video. Then click HERE and pledge! Pledge like the wind!