I was thrilled to see the photographer Richard Shakespeare taking pics of people reading my new novel Frantic (about the early 70's set in London and San Francisco) at the recent Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. Richard, who specialises in Music Industry photographs acertainly went beyond the line of duty when he spotted and snapped festival attendees reading my novel.
Richard is a truly talented photographer. He must be as he has taken unique snaps of every famous Musician known to Billboard. He also took a flattering paparazzi snap of me at last year's Nick Drake's music event at the Cockpit Theatre in London. He was so good, I didn't even know he'd snapped me.
I was amazed his photo didn't make me look like a Diane Arbus monstrosity like some of the Fleet Street photographers' 'photos' when they ambush their victims. In fact, I was so thrilled by the photo Richard took of me, I have begged him to take my portrait photo for my next book's cover. You know what 'they' say: 'He's worth it!"