JUNE 2020

We seem to have moved on with the easing of the lockdown. The reopening of bookshops in particular is encouraging. However, for my part, I’m still in self-isolation and pressing on with my writing.

I’ve just passed 65K words on the new novel. This is number 14 in the Teacher series and is set in 1976/77. It’s another prequel and features the young Jack Sheffield during the year before becoming head teacher of Ragley School in North Yorkshire. Submission of the first draft is due in October so I’m well on course to meet this deadline. Publication will be in 2021.

Meanwhile the new novel, Back to School, has gone to print and will be launched in Waterstones Milton Keynes on Thursday 3rd September 2020 with further signings being arranged for Waterstones York on 5th September and Waterstones Alton on 12th September. I’m hopeful these events can take place. This also applies to the various speaking events that are in the diary including a Literary Lunch on 29th September at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall.

An interesting event that will definitely take place is my invitation from the Open University to participate in an on line panel with the best-selling author Carole Matthews at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday 28 June. The audience will comprise around 500 students and the questions will relate to our work as authors. It promises to be a lively event.  

During lockdown I’ve received excellent support from my editor and literary agent who are working from home and doing all they can to promote my books . . . so many thanks. My website has also been refreshed with a new look and I’m grateful for these efforts. I receive many emails via the website and I endeavour to reply to every message, particularly those from Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and France who have clearly enjoyed my novels along with those partially sighted readers who listen to the audio editions.

A recent review from France read as follows:

Un livre très agréable et très bien écrit sur ​​la vie dans un village du Yorkshire et c'est l'école de village - vous voulez juste savoir ce qui se passe à côté et je ne peux pas attendre de lire tous les livres de Jack Sheffield sur ce thème.

So I’m pleased I passed my ‘O’ Level French back in the sixties!

In the meantime, best wishes to you all, keep safe and happy reading,

Jack