** An Arctic Adventure **


Welcome to the 28 January 2005 edition of this particular page. This book was published by the Pentland Press Ltd (Voluntarily Liquidated on 23 Nov 01). I can now show the breakdown of the chapters and the links to the texts of the chapters and annexes. This reversal of a previous decision was made in order to PROMOTE the book. The text in this website was drawn from my 2nd Draft - as presented to my ex-Publisher, but only slightly editted recently. Essentially, it remains the same true story of my adventure.

As from December 2001, I was in communication with another Publishing Company (Carnegie) who had taken over Pentland's partly-published books (70 new titles) and over 1000 authors (like myself) who needed assistance in the short-term Warehousing & Insurance. NOW that I have personally take over the MARKETING & PROMOTION of the REMAINDER of the books, I have become the SOLE source for SALES and I will give further details on how you can order in the the end of Chapter 10.

In the meantime, I've informed the National Book DataBase producers (see below) that the SOLE DISTRIBUTOR and SALES are from me at my ADDRESS.


CHAPTER INDEX for the Book/Travelogue:-

  1. Initial Thoughts
  2. Decisions and Planning
  3. Getting to the Start
  4. The Highway to the Arctic Circle
  5. Hitting the Aurora Trail
    Sun at a really low angle near midday!!
    Low-angled sun!.
  6. Inside the Arctic Circle
  7. I meet my Love (or "On Top of the World")
    "I love Hammerfest!!"
    St.Michaels, Hammerfest!.


  8. North Cape & Russia
  9. The Ice Bear Club
  10. Getting sorted out in Sortland (or "It's Double-Dutch")
  11. Return to Trondheim
  12. Arrival in Olde Bryggen
  13. I ride Margret to London
There are also four Annexes :-

Annex A :: The Schedule - My Expedition through the Arctic Circle
Annex B :: The Arctic Circle
Annex C :: Conquering Seasickness
Annex D :: On the Bridge

BACKGROUND TO THE BOOK

In 1993, not wanting to get caught up in the HEAT of Egypt, I decided to take up the option of a Hurtegrute (working boat) trip up the Norwegian Coast -from Bergen to Kirkenes and back - a trip into the Arctic Ocean in winter-time!! That was certainly 'different' and its advantages included:

a. Beautiful Fjord scenery ("World's Most Beautiful Voyage")
b. My first viewing of the Aurora Borealis

Because of the lack of light in the Arctic in Winter-time, I decided whilst in London, waiting for takeoff to Bergen, NOT to rely on recording the experiences on photos but by writing the amusing tales that I might have. ..and I had PLENTY!! Thus the notes that I took during the trip were, in the course of the 11 months after my return, put onto my Word Processor. Furthermore, a DTP (Desk Top Published) 'Prototype Book' was prepared, complete with graphics and memorabilia - and also included extractions from the NSR (Norwegian State Railways) brochure.

This writing was for my own amusing recollections really, - but as time unfolded, it seemed that a large number of readers of the DTP Version were even more amused than ever I expected.

Their comments caused me to consider their requests that I ought to do similar write-ups for my other voyages. They liked the individual sense-of-humour. THAT is very pleasing for a writer.

STATUS OF BOOK

Pentland Press aimed at the market for Christmas (1997), with a "Publication Date" of 17th November 1997. That was achieved and we then got into the Sales & Marketting phase. - and as you know from above, this is NOW totally through 'yours truly'!!

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION


This ex-publisher's Promotion Manager's plan shows 71 listed retail outlets in the UK, plans for 21 reviews and Press Releases.

As of Nov 16th 2001, I received a notice that PENTLAND PRESS was applying for Voluntary Liquidation, in view if their finances, and a week later there was a Creditors' Meeting to arrive at a number of decisions. I have NOW got the RETURN of my unsold books from their Cambridge Warehouse - which had been 'taken over' by CARNEGIE after the fall of Pentlands. Even Carnegie had to release the Warehouse by the end of December 2002!

Any request to any retailer causes them to contact the National Book DATABASES ('Whitaker Information Services' or 'Book Data Ltd') - and their records will then find ME there.

An Alternative "method of purchase", if you live in the MALVERN AREA, is to visit the OXFAM SHOP - and there you should be able to BUY, and simultaneously contribute to their funds, as I have donated a large number of books (NEW - direct from the warehouse) to provide them with an extra income.

CURRENT PUBLICITY


So far, I have seen personal and book publicity in the following:-

Malvern Gazette
The Bookseller
WHO Newsletter
Pentlands Press - Booklist
CSPA Review
W.H.Smith's website
Nationwide Building Society's website(linked to WH Smith's)
Dillon's bookshops' website
Amazon's website


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As a note to the above, one of my older readers making the same trip in 1998, but in the "Polarlys" as opposed to my "Lofoten", found time on her hands whilst in dock in Trondheim - and, with this time, decided to paint a picture of the 'Lofoten' which was moored closeby and then sent it to me via the original Publisher. Thank you very much Sheila - although I've never met you!! You should have got my response and thanks personally by snail-mail already!!

Return to Roy's home page for full list of books either finished or under preparation.