Bitter question

Hi. You may remember my not too subtle previews for my next book. "Bitter!"

It would be in the shops now (if I had a proper publisher), had Andrew got his finger out. The lazy git wants to spend his summer holidays having fun. Selfish bastard. there's a book to finish. That's what I told him. My dad would have got his belt off if I'd defied him. Stuff like that. It's fun painting the 1960's as a time of psychotic parents beating their children unconscious with any handy blunt object. Teachers ritually beating young boys at the slightest excuse. Hang on. That last one really happened.

Where was I? Bitter! More exclamation marks. It must be a new book. My Mini Book Series. Do you remember the original concept? I think I do. Correct me if I get it wrong. 11 volumes. I get 10 copies of each printed, sign them, keep one for myself and give the rest away. A round 99 in all. (Still a few left. Especially "Numbers!" That only goes to people who might find it interesting. A remarkably select group.)

Playing online with his Playstation Wii remains Andrew's primary occupation, despite threats and bribes. Patience. Something we could all do with more of. You'll need some, if you're eager for the book. We'll be away in the US soon. No chance for Andrew finish before September.

Silver lining time. I've had chance to throw, no, carefully assemble all sorts of extra bits in the meantime. Tables. Numbers. Recipes. The stuff you probably don't read. Most of you, anyway. But what to do with it?

Mega Book Series. That was Andrew's idea. Good concept, bit of a struggle with the details on my side. What am I trying to tell you? Options. I'm going to be giving you some. About what forms "Bitter!" will take. Because, lacking any better idea my first Mega Book will be a bigger version of a Mini Book. Make sense? It does to me. (Like not calling all top-fermenting beers "Ales". Or not biting your toenails while watching TV with your in-laws.)

Mega Book. Mini Book. Two books to collect and and cherish. That's what I'm hoping. Screw a little more money out of this book thing for Andrew. He wants to go to university. I told him to start saving.

But what should I put in each? All my blog posts about the various types of Pale Ale, for sure. The Mini Book would be just that. The Mega Book would also have thirty or forty recipes and one of those tables of beer details I do.

That's the plan. Could change.