Nigel Jay Cooper's Blog

Remember how devastating Spotify streaming was for musicians? Now imagine how devastating it will be for authors, when books are often only read once – not streamed multiple times like music is.

Spotify has launched a new audiobook streaming service. All the major publishers signed the deals without any discussion with their authors or their agents. Which is nice – but not unexpected.

The Society of Authors is ‘deeply concerned’ because ‘the streaming of audiobooks competes directly with s...

I was walking my dog recently and she started playing with another dog.

My heart froze as the other dog walker looked at me smiling and said: ‘we’re walking the same way, we can have a natter as they play.’ 

I’m an introvert. I could happily go for days or weeks without speaking to anyone outside of my immediate family.

I’m generally bad at small talk… I’m awkward, I’m uncomfortable and I want it to stop. I’ll pretty much do anything to avoid it, in fact. 

But here’s the thing, thi...

#worldmentalhealthday2022

The first draft of this blog article took me about 8 paragraphs to get to point because I was clearly avoiding it, so I’ve gritted my teeth and moved it to the top!

In 2018, my 2nd novel The Pursuit of Ordinary was published, dealing with two people dealing with differing mental health struggles.

It was another year before I realised I was burnt out and struggling myself.

Looking back, I think I’d decided to write about mental health in The Pursuit of Ordina...

Winner – U.K. GIVEAWAY 

I’m totally overwhelmed that more than 300 of you entered my book giveaway to win signed copies of my three novels, including Life, Slightly (which isn’t out until September 2022).

Most of you entered on Twitter – the only social network you’ll generally find me on nowadays (@nijay). A few of you entered through Facebook (which I sorely neglect, sorry) and finally, a number of you signed up to my newsletter on this website (also promoted on my also neglected Instagr...

U.K. GIVEAWAY 

I know you all got loads of new books for Christmas and you’ve probably bought more in the New Year sales, but how about 3 more for the TBR pile?

I’m giving away a set of SIGNED paperbacks of my novels, including my 3rd novel Life, Slightly, which isn’t out until September 2022.

 U.K. only

 Ends 9 Jan

To be eligible, all you need to do is sign up for my newsletter below – just give your email and click submit.

The post Life, Slightly: unboxing appeared first on Nigel Jay Cooper.

In terms of how we all work, going back to ‘how it was before’ Covid should not be the only option. There was SO MUCH wrong with it!

I know there aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions to the Working From Home (WFH) challenge that employers and employees face today and I’m not saying it’s easy.

But as time passes, the rose tinted glasses come out and we start thinking that maybe it was okay before. After all, WFH and hybrid working have their own issues, so why not go back to how things were? ...

A short reading of the opening of my third novel Life, Slightly. Available for pre-order now.

The post Life, Slightly – a reading appeared first on Nigel Jay Cooper.

Do you ever think about the opportunities you turned down? I’m not really one for regrets but I definitely ponder those Sliding Doors moments more as I get older.

About 5 years back, I was offered the opportunity to write a Doctor Who story featuring Bernice Summerfield. I’m a massive, massive fan, so this should have been a no-brainer. 

I said no.

I think about this a lot. A LOT. What was wrong with me? Why did I say no?

Firstly – and honestly – there was definitely a fear factor. W...

I was walking my dog early this morning and she started playing with another dog. My heart froze as the other dog walker looked at me smiling and said: ‘we’re walking the same way, we can have a natter as they play.’ 

I’m generally bad at small talk… I’m awkward, I’m uncomfortable and I want it to stop. I’ll pretty much do anything to avoid it, in fact. 

But here’s the thing, this doesn’t mean I dislike people. They fascinate me, that’s half of the reason I write. 

But I can’t stand the surface ...