The Well-Tempered Clavier

One of the surprising things about Idle Tom the publisher is that he has somehow contrived to surround himself with several supremely competent women. Must be some sort of survival instinct kicking in.
I saw one of these women, Judith, last night. She’s an agent, and she’d agreed to stand in for Idle Tom for a […]

Some very bad news.
It’s a bit of a choker.
I know how you’ve all just been gagging for it. But …
Idle Tom ain’t turnin’ up.
Not that I count for much.
But I, too, was pretty gutted when I heard the news that my publisher, THE Idle Tom, had a not-so-prior engagement.
For you, his loyal fans, I can […]

Should you happen to be in London tomorrow (Thursday, February 7), there’s a great evening ahead of you - nay, a veritable treat, taking place at the Kensal Library, 20 Golborne Road. W10 5PF.
 
Should you turn up and say to me the magic words, "Your name is Bill Coles and I claim my free drink", […]

For some extraordinary reason, the Eton College Chronicle has signally failed to take any interest in my wares.
 
Three months back, I sent out three copies of The Well-Tempered Clavier to various bigwigs at Eton … and didn’t hear a dicky bird.
 
So, in approved Tough Guy fashion, I have merely ignored the slight and sent out […]

I’ve got a few friends who are the real troupers.
 
I’m talking about the kind of guys who are not just there when you need them; they’re even there when you don’t especially need ‘em.
 
It’s as if when they’ve got nothing better to do, they’re still there looking after your best interests. Clever little ways […]

When I’m talking to Idle Tom the publisher about The Well-Tempered Clavier, we tend to have a shorthand version for the title. Rather than coming out with the full mouthful, we generally call it WTC. It’s concise, handy. Says it all.
 
Idle Tom calls up though with a spooky coincidence. Apparently he’s been a bit unnerved […]

An amazing thing has occurred since I started writing about Tough Guy - people can’t believe that we had such a blast.
 
One picture, in particular, has done more than anything else to convert the sceptics:
 

 
An old friend, Sarah Singleton - a one-time hack like me who now writes award-winning books (unlike me) - wrote: 
"Just […]