P-DAY FOR ALONE I FLY!

It's P-Day - Publishing day!

I am thrilled, excited and proud to say that Bill’s book has today been published by Pen & Sword. It was always his aim to have his story published mainstream so it is sad that he didn’t survive long enough to witness it happen. However we know he was sure it would happen and of course the fist edition did illicit a lot of favourable reviews whilst he was still alive.

The book is now available from all bookshops and online retailers in hardback edition published by Pen & Sword. The ISBN no is 9781848841659 and the published price is £19.99 though it is a little cheaper on various online retailer sites.

Its great to see it published just in time for Christmas and I am sure it will be a welcome Christmas present for many!

The photo is of Nicolette (Bill’s daughter) proudly holding her Dad’s book.

ALONE I FLY TO BE PUBLISHED BY MAINSTREAM MILITARY AVIATION PUBLISHER!

It is with great pride and pleasure that I can tell you thet Alone I Fly has finally found the recognition the story s0 deserves.
A mainstream publisher has agreed to publish Bill's work in hardback complete with photographs. It is likely it will be available in this format towards the end of this year.

This decision is yet again a testimony to the quality and content of Bill's writing. Bill never really liked the idea of 'vanity press' (now known as Print on Demand) and his decision to have the book originally published at his own cost was taken in order to ensure his story was available to his own family and their families. He lived long enough to see that the book was a success even in its original limited format and we know it was his ambition to have it 'properly' published.

We are so thrilled therefore that soon the book will be available in all UK bookshops and no doubt overseas too. I am told from literary circles that it is quite an achievement to have a publisher within a few years of writing which makes this news even more remarkable.

The book will now be discontinued in its present paperback format. There are a few copies left - see http://www.aloneifly/ for order details.

ALONE I FLY RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT (well almost!)

You may be aware that recently His Royal Higness, Prince William has been undertaking flying training with the RAF. We thought it a fitting gesture to send him a copy of Alone I Fly. Here is a copy of the reply from his Private Secretary.

(click on image to enlarge it)

This letter was received on the 6 month anniversary of Bill's death.
We still all miss him very much and he would of course have loved to have received such a letter.

Other news -
Since the previous post sales of the book were good over Christmas - though the Christmas fair didnt prove as successful as expected.
There was a definite chance that a publisher would take the book for mainstream publishing. However after a lot of consideration and encouraging reviews they eventually declined. It will be published by a main publisher one day though!

LEST WE FORGET

As we get near Remembrance Sunday its time to reflect on all those who have lost their lives in the strive for peace in the world. Of course we think of not only those who have died but also those whom they have left behind.
Methvens bookshop have created a window display for November 11th and it features as well as other titles, Alone I fly. So Bill's work has made it into a major bookshop's window display.

Nicolette, Bill's daughter, and I as you are aware are still aiming to bring this book to as wide an audience as possible. With that in mind we have been setting up shop as it were at the local Pavilion theatre. Not on stage of course, but the venue has regular indoor and gift markets throughout the Autumn and Winter. In September, we attended the indoor market and were assisted by Bill's widow, Gwen. We managed to sell 23 copies . Gwen went on to sell a further 7 copies as a indirect result of the sale so all in all 31 new readers. It was a lovely Indian summer's day and was helped by the fact it was Worthing Pier day so the through traffic was good.

We repeated the exercise only last week at a gift fair at the Pavilion. Unfortunately the weather was atrocious and most of the public seemed only to be sheltering from the rain. Still we managed to introduce the book to a further 13 persons. Nicolette takes credit for most of this success. She managed to capture any interest shown and convert it into a sale. Of course to sell something well you must believe in the product. Bill's book is certainly one we both believe in so that helps!

I also persuaded the museum shop at our local Shoreham airport to stock the book so now locally it is sold by Shoreham airport, Methvens and Waterstones. Bet they cant sell 23 in one day though!

Here is Nicolette behind the stand

We will be back at the Pavilion Worthing for the Christmas gift fair on December 2nd! Come and say hello if you are around.

A Sad Loss

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Bill is no longer with us. He had been battling illness for over a year and his condition worsened on Friday 13th July. He was taken to hospital and they did everything they could for him especially towards the end. He was in hospital 10 days and thanks to the care of the nursing staff he did not suffer. His family were at his bedside every day and he gave up his fight at 7am on July 23rd 2007.

Bill knew that his grandaughter was about to be married (28th July) and that family had returned from holidays. A dedication once requested for his book was "For your tomorrow I gave my today." To me it seems that this is exactly what he did - bravely held on until the time was right to sleep forever.

Alone I Fly will now live on as his lasting legacy and we are all very fortunate that this incredible story will be available for all in perpetuity.

You flew Alone to your last resting place Bill but you will never be alone. You gave us so much and we will be forever grateful.

Latest News

Well it was great to be part of the celebrity website - Bill Bailey - for a little while! The posting is still there buried in the archives. It didnt do too much for sales though - wrong audience I guess!

Speaking of which - sales that is - still going ok. The aviation forums mostly still support the project and it is remarkable how often the book is now mentioned in various sites. In particular AirWarfare have been great in highlighting it on their home page plus there is a site called Honour Our Vetrans which have also spotlighted the book. The book has now been posted all over the world including an order recently from Singapore.
The praise for Bill's work continues to flow with great reviews often saying its one of the best WW2 memoirs the reader has read. One day maybe Bill's vision will be realised and it will appear in your local cinema as the latest blockbuster film! If only...

Fathers day approaching so hoping that there will be some Dads on June 17th with their children to thank for Alone I Fly as an ideal gift!

Healthwise Bill has been as always fighting his illness. He had to go into hospital this week for another blood transfusion. He hates that but I am thankful to say he survived the overnight stay with his customory observations with the failings of the NHS!
He is actually working on a child friendly version of Alone I Fly although this has been interrupted recently when his laptop developed a fault. Its slow painful progress with his arthritis to use the laptop but again as always he is determined. Long may it last!!

Please do comment on the book if you have read it and if not then get back to the order page and soon you will find why it receives so many good reviews!!

Celebrity Review

BILL BAILEY, the actor, comedian and musician has gone public on his own website about the book, so I reckon its safe to tell you more!
We were delighted when Bill's PA emailed and told us that Bill had not only read the book but had found it a "gripping tale". Bill's website now carries an item about the book which you can read at www.billbailey.co.uk - see Latest News.
However I will also repeat it here -

You may be aware that Bill Bailey has written a book. But it's not the Bill Bailey you're thinking of, nor is it his doppelganger/reflection in a highly-polished cheese counter. The Bill in question is Sergeant Bill Bailey, who flew bombers during World War II, and has recently published Alone I Fly, an account of his experiences.
The sole survivor of a disastrous bombing mission in North Africa, Bill spent days alone in the desert awaiting rescue. Later serving on several other unusual posts, and flying in many more dangerous missions, he managed to survive through his determination and ingenuity.
A vivid and honest account of his truly extraordinary experience, this is a unique and memorable book which deserves to reach a wider audience. But, I hear you ask, is there any reason, besides authorial name, that it should be mentioned here?
Well, yes. Bill read the book himself and loved it, finding it gripping, and a fascinating picture of wartime life, and wanted to use this opportunity to encourage you to check it out. So why not show your continuing, unprejudiced support for Bill Baileys of all varieties by visiting Sgt. Bailey's website, and ordering yourself a copy.

So, if that again does not reinforce what a fantastic achievment Bill's book is then I don't know what will!

So get back to Aloneifly and get your copy now!