Folks, I’m delighted to be able to tell you that Jack Melrose’s truly wonderful book is now available to buy on Amazon. You can get it from Amazon.co.au here:
Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge: Book 1: A New Start : Melrose, Jack: Amazon.com.au: Books
or here, if you’re in the States:
https://www.amazon.com/Back-tae-Auld-Claes-Porridge-ebook/dp/B0D9YH2633/
or here, if you’re in the UK:
Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge: Book 1: A New Start: Amazon.co.uk: Melrose, Jack: 9780473624644: Books
Jack is a skilled writer who excels at bringing to life whatever he describes, and I very much enjoyed working on both of his books. I’ll bring you news about the second in the series as soon as I can, but you can get your teeth into Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge: A New Start while you wait.
The following is Jack’s press release, which will clue you in to the book’s premise and get you in the mood for a really good read. Lel.
Picking up the pieces after World War II: New book chronicles three decades in the life of an Edinburgh working-class family
What was life like for working-class families in post-World War II Scotland? A new novel – Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge – provides one answer. Inspired by real life experiences, this fictionalised coming-of-age story by Scottish-born New Zealander Jack Melrose portrays ordinary folks’ lives and their attempts to get back to normal during those desperate times.
Melrose’s debut novel delivers a vivid account of life in dilapidated Edinburgh tenements most of which, nowadays, would be regarded as slums, lacking such modern conveniences as electricity, running hot water, or dedicated toilets.
This first of two volumes chronicles the life of the Swanston family in the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Each of the book’s nine chapters recounts episodes filled with interesting characters and places which come to shape the main character James as he grows from a naïve youngster to an adolescent discovering independence. There is Māori Miss Douglas, James’s infant teacher, Mr Martin the Polish refugee primary teacher, or Dr Frost, the German hiker, James’ plucky mother and his father, the former infantry sergeant, who never speaks about his experiences of a war that is still ever-present in James’s young life.
Life for the Swanstons changes dramatically with the father’s unexpected promotion into management of a whisky bond, while food rationing is gradually lifted and social and educational opportunities improve. Social commentary and authentic dialogue are skilfully interwoven with humour to give the reader a genuine insight into the family’s struggles and joys.
The tale’s sense of authenticity owes a lot to its language, both as a medium and a theme. Much of the dialogue is in local Scots, in contrast to the ‘proper speak’ of the boy’s teachers, a constant source of anxiety for young James. And if language, characters and locations don’t make the book Scottish enough, there’s The Bard who occasionally crosses James’s path and whose poetry is echoed in the chapter titles. Readers not familiar with Scottish national poet Robert Burns or the Scots language will find a useful glossary on the author’s website.
Jack Melrose says that he wanted to “open a window on life as it was back then, growing up in a Scottish family that was virtually destitute in its early days, then seeing life get better as the impacts of a world war receded. I hope that the book will help preserve voices from a world that is rapidly being forgotten”.
Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge: A New Start (Book 1), Jack Melrose Publishing, now available on Amazon, with Book 2 forthcoming.
See the author’s website for more information and chapter excerpts at https://jackmelrose.nz

Here’s another testimonial we’re more than delighted to have received yesterday. It really made our day and actually brought tears to my eyes 🥹

Working with Giles and Lel has been an absolute joy and a pleasure. Whilst living in Taranaki we were fortunate enough to meet up with them to discuss our ideas and right from the very beginning it felt more like extended family than a pure business contract for services rendered.

Lel is a truly talented editor with phenomenal experience who has very patiently and diligently worked through my writing and delivered a story that is of international quality.

Giles has very patiently worked through a barrage of constant layout changes and adjustments to random ideas and silly drawings, with all the care and attention of someone who is capable of calming a tornado with all the grace and style of a 007 agent. “Shaken, not stirred.”

Throughout the process Giles and Lel offered constant advice and support for ideas and possible changes, giving me the ability to take something fun and make it into something truly remarkable. I look forward to writing more stories and working closely with PublishMe as the future of fun silly stories evolves over the coming years.

Thank you for helping to make this idea a reality.

Heath Gillot, author of The Unintended Journey of Terry the Fat Watermelon.

Heath’s book will be available very soon for purchase, and when it is, I’ll be sure to give you the details of where to buy it. If your kid has a silly sense of humour, this book is definitely for them. Lel.

 

Giles and I are delighted to announce the release of Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge: A New Start by Jack Melrose. In Jack’s words:

Through the eyes of its main character James, this Scottish coming-of-age story evokes daily life of Edinburgh folk in the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.

Set against the backdrop of a still-depressed Leith and a regenerating Edinburgh, Back tae Auld Claes an’ Porridge chronicles three decades in the lives of a Scottish family.

In two captivating volumes, Jack Melrose tells the unique story of Janet and Ian Swanston as they pick up the pieces after six long years of war, bringing up their two bairns in a slum tenement.

This was a wonderful, beautifully written book to work on and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the main character, James, and his family. Jack’s second book in the series, A New Age, will be available soon, so keep your eyes on http://www.jackmelrose.nz and here for news of its release. Spoiler alert: it’s equally as enjoyable as A New Start and this editor is already looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Get your copy of the first book at Jack’s Amazon page:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473624648/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HEu1nF-rkKd-40wLQHwu6gMz0qMud1XC72LWnGHaKkFXf1W5QM-c6wDw8y5_oTKgX57drv-X22RDhmg50ZemyAQVPAtLFst78YAHTW7-zLSiMPiPx5r7UZoZHeTYVxPIaP7aCpdAe6PhBbJpjs_wRYCwhpf-RDaVy54PYMNRK380H_8ZJSkyur_HcyeSuxbS7cW5Bg3xEPIc2pM4IiFdFKHLOpBCJx3GUgH3sQzxUdcaDL7BYc3zpUZUGOA01dbkqJcQFfhmZ2GLwCeudygT7VGZCwFXtFnS5cpdWpQshGk.PA7KByL5_7o7Be9gWdYQ0Nh7fx0ffl2h1VtRKAw4FvA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Jack+Melrose&qid=1715814924&sr=8-1

Happy reading! Lel.

We’re all moved into our new premises now and it’s business as usual at PublishMe. We look forward to hearing from you and discovering how we can help you set your book free. Lel.

In further news, we recently connected with Christine Sheehy, a non-fiction book coach certified by Author Accelerator and based in Matakana, north of Auckland. She works with entrepreneurs, thought leaders and experts in their fields to shape their ideas into compelling non-fiction books. If you have a unique methodology or framework, or knowledge to share and a story to tell, Christine can help you define your idea, plan the book’s content, and get your words onto the page. Check out her website at www.bookcoach.co.nz, or visit her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/christinesheehyandco

Want a head start on planning your non-fiction book? Go here https://christinesheehy.ck.page/2660d33f91 to sign up for her free masterclass, Nail Your Non-Fiction Book Idea. You’ll get instant access to the class once you’ve entered your email address.

Christine’s a lovely lady, who’s extremely accomplished in her field, and we look forward to working with her in the future. If you know of anyone who would benefit from her help, please do pass on the above details to them. Lel.