Tag Archives: my old clock i wind

How much would you pay for a book?

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How much would you pay for a book? Or, to put it another way, how much is a book worth to you?

A couple of weeks back, I was chatting to an acquaintance about books. During our conversation my acquaintance stated that many ebooks are overpriced (he mentioned that some cost £7 or more), and given the low cost of producing electronic versions they should be more reasonably priced. He also went on to state that he bought many of his books in charity shops, with many retailing for as little as £0.50.

The above conversation made me consider the question, what is a book worth? My collection of poetry “My Old Clock I Wind” retails for £2.99 (for the ebook) and £10.99 (for the paperback). Turning to a comparison with the demon drink. I enjoy a refreshing pint of Fosters. In my favourite local the price is £4, so anyone drinking there can enjoy two and a half pints of my favourite tipple at a cost of £10. Alternatively they could (with the addition of £0.99) purchase the paperback edition of “My Old Clock”, or three copies of the ebook (and still have change from a £10 note).

While beer is refreshing it is, by its nature here then gone. In contrast a book can be read many times (whether in electronic or paperback/hardback format). So, weighing my work against the cost of a pint in my favourite local, my book is, in my view value for money. In fact why not do both (I.E. purchase a copy of my book, in any format and enjoy a pint while reading it)!

The above comparison is intended to be read in a light hearted manner. There is, however a serious point to all this. Some individuals who complain about paying £10.99 for a paperback (or £7 for an ebook) will think nothing of buying several rounds of drinks on a Friday evening. Anyone who drinks in central London will know that (depending on the number of people in the round) that this can leave the person paying with a bar bill of £50, and on occasions considerably more.

All this is not to say that some books are not overpriced. I do, for example find it odd when I see ebooks costing similar amounts to their paperback/hardback alternatives. While it is right that authors and publishers need to make a living, there is much less cost entailed in producing an ebook and all things being equal ebooks should (in my opinion) reflect the lesser cost entailed in their production.

As regards books in charity shops, everyone loves a bargain and most people get a warm feeling knowing that there cheap purchase is helping to support a worthy cause. However (to state the blatantly obvious) authors and publishers could not survive where all books to be bought and sold in the second-hand market. Someone has to buy the book fresh off the press, otherwise the whole show will grind to a juddering halt!

In conclusion, books are, in the final analysis (as with any other product or service) worth whatever the purchaser is prepared to pay. A person who is caught up in the social whirl may think nothing of spending £70 or £80 on a night on the town, but ask that same person to buy a paperback for £10.99 and he protests that it is overpriced. While it is undoubtedly true that some books are overpriced, the vast majority certainly are not.

As always I would be interested in my reader’s views.

Kevin

My School Days

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My thanks to Sally Cronin for publishing my guest post,, “My School days”, in which I describe my time at the Royal School for the Blind (in Wavertree) and the period during which I attended Saint Vincent’s School for the Blind (in West Derby). Both schools are located in the city of my birth, Liverpool. For my guest post please visit, https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2017/07/31/smorgasbord-guest-post-my-school-days-by-poet-and-author-kevin-morris/.
To find out about Saint Vincent’s School for the Blind please go to http://www.stvin.com/, or for information on the Royal School for the Blind please visit, http://rsblind.org/.

The Timeless Power of Public Clocks

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Ever since I can remember, clocks have held a fascination for me. As a child I would sit entranced listening to the ticking of a wall mounted or grandfather clock, The hypnotic tick tock combined with the movement of the pendulum transporting me to another world.

During my career I have worked in Westminster, and when the office windows where open, and the wind was in the right direction, the chimes of Big Ben reached my ears, . I feel lucky to have heard this historic timepiece, not merely on news broadcasts but also during my time working in Westminster.

Given my interest in clocks, I was pleased to come across David K. Leff’s essay, ”The Timeless Power of Public Clocks”, in which the author discusses the enduring hold communal timepieces exert over us.

In my recently published collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind”, the passing of time is (as suggested by the title) a key theme running through the book. “My Old Clock” is available (in ebook format) from Amazon and can be found HERE.

It is also available from the publisher in both print and electronic formats and can be found here, http://moyhill.com/clock/.

For a recording of me reading the title poem “My Old Clock I Wind” please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG-TzllCqkg.

The Cane Explained

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The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has produced a short film, explaining how sight impaired people navigate using the white cane.

Prior to getting my first guide dog, Nixon (no jokes about Watergate please), I used a white cane to navigate. I well remember people not paying attention to what was going on around them and tripping over my cane.

Admittedly, when I was in the process of learning to navigate using a cane, some of the tripping stemmed from my imperfect utilisation of it. However, as my technique improved, the tripping incidents which did happen flowed from the lack of attention demonstrated by sighted people (I apologised none the less)!

I am now working with my fourth guide dog, Trigger so my use of the cane is extremely rare.

However, back in 2016 Trigger had several lumps removed (fortunately all where found to be benign). While he recovered (a period of some 2 weeks), I used my cane.

Having fallen out of practice I had several bumps and scrapes as a consequence of my imperfect technique. I was, however soon back in the saddle and my acquaintance with telegraph poles and other obstacles became a distant memory.

For RNIB’s film on the cane please visit http://rnib.org.uk/cane-explained.

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My collection of poetry, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is available, as a braille book from RNIB https://newauthoronline.com/2017/07/21/lost-in-the-labyrinth-of-my-mind-is-available-to-purchase-in-braille-from-rnib/. “Lost” can also be obtained, in print and ebook formats from Moyhill http://moyhill.com/lost/.

I am working with RNIB to make my recently published collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind” available in braille. Once “My Old Clock” has been added to RNIB’s shelves, an announcement will appear here.

In the meantime “My Old Clock” can be purchased, in ebook and paperback formats from Moyhill http://moyhill.com/clock/.

Kevin Morris to be interviewed about his poetry on Thursday 12 January, at 1:40 pm (PST)

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I will be interviewed by Ariadne Sawyer, of Vancouver Co-op Radio, (http://www.coopradio.org/), at 1:40 pm (PST), on Thursday 12 January. The interview will include me reading a selection of my poetry. My poem, “My Old Clock I Wind” was read on Ariadne’s show on 8 December 2016, http://worldpoetry.ca/?p=11291.

Podcast of Kevin’s poem, “My Old Clock I Wind” on Vancouver Co-op Radio

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Many thanks to Neall of Vancouver Co-op Radio for reading my poem, “My Old Clock I wind” and Ariadne for facilitating this. The poem is below:

“My old clock I wind
And much philosophy therein find.
I can bring
The pendulum’s swing
To a stop With my hand,
Yet I can not command
Time to default
On his duty and halt
The passing of the years.
He has no ears
For our laughter and tears
And his sickle will swing on
Long after we are gone”.

coop_logo

The show was broadcast at 13:00 on Thursday 8 December and can be found

HERE

My poem is read approximately 45 minutes into the programme.

I will be interviewed on Vancouver Co-op Radio on 12 January 2017.

Kevin

My Old Clock I Wind

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My old clock I wind
And much philosophy therein find.
I can bring
The pendulum’s swing
To a stop With my hand,
Yet I can not command
Time to default
On his duty and halt
The passing of the years.
He has no ears
For our laughter and tears
And his sickle will swing on
Long after we are gone.