John Drake

Hallo,

Before all else: Latest books.

FLETCHER AND THE CONSTITUTION, available right now: one for lovers of Hornblower, Flashman, and the Georgian Navy. I wrote it for all the kind readers who read THE COMPLETE FLETCHER ADVENTURES, and asked for more. This time, in 1805, the very existence of the USA is threatened by a dastardly Russian plot to invalidate the US Constitution and capture Washington.

And ... the next Fletcher is already under way. No title just yet, but it will be out some time next year.

Meanwhile:

I' always thought I was a London cockney until reflecting on the fact that I was born in Hitchin Hertfordshire, which strictly means that I do not meet the qualification for being a cockney, which is to be born within sound of the bells of Saint Mary Le Bow, in East London, and Hitchin is too far away for that.

Reason for that? Look up 'Doodlebugs', or 'V1 missile' on Google. In 1944 they were falling on London, and there was an evacuation of vulnerable people including pregnant women - including my mother - who were sent to safety in places like Hitchin.

So yes, I really am that old, and despite not really being a cockney, I did grow up in London's cockney east end. Thus I've been making up stories ever since I spent half an hour each day walking from Wilmot Street, Bethnal Green, East (where I lived) to the Central Foundation Boys' school. And then another half an hour each day walking back. The bus was quicker, but I walked, and my imagination ran free to make up stories because I have a fountain in my head, which never stops.

Thanks for reading this far. And I hope you like the books because I loved writing them

All best, John Drake.