Blog Posts

FEELING PUNCHY - I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED

6/14/2018

It's been a couple of weeks since my last performance (on that run) as Frank Morgan. I've had further time to reflect on what I did with him. The revival/remodel/reincarnation was more than worth the gamble as most of you who saw it will agree.

Audience reaction, reviews etc mean that he won't be put back in his cage for long. I'm going to be doing the show wherever I can nation wide, should be cheap enough with it being a one man show, travel light. I'd like to put it on somewhere every couple of months or so in a build up to take the show to Edinburgh next year as an introduction of Tales from Paradise Heights to new audiences. He's already booked in for The Met in Bury for January but he may be back as early as August if I have my way, watch this space. A BIG THANKS to the audiences who have just been beyond amazing, to the reviewers that give shows legs, to Justin Wetherill (music and sound design) to Darren McGinn (Posters) and to Karen McBride and Shay Rowan (Photography) Some more of Shay's shots can be seen above and below, over the coming weeks I will post up galleries of Karen and Shay's work.

So yes, I'm celebrating, and absolutely delighted that I dusted off that old Frank Morgan script, tore it apart and created a new Monster for today - Frank(enstein) Morgan, rose from the slab and pretty much smashed his way out of the laboratory...it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!

REVIEWS:

So that's Frank for now...and next it's back to more haunting times as The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Festival Fringe in July, can't wait. See you out there...Joe x

The RewiRED Experiment: The Ace of Spades, The Return of Strawberry Jack and a Series Re-Launch

5/10/2018

Pics by Karen McBride, collage imagery by Joe O'Byrne

Frank's back in Salford on the next Bank Holiday Weekend, and this is a great chance to get acquainted with this acclaimed series of tales, reviewers have called them a Canterbury Tales for Today, and here's another good reason why.

Every now and again DC And Marvel do this Year Zero thing, where they relaunch stuff. Well here's a great point for me to do my Tales from Paradise Heights Year Zero thing, to start with I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED and bring them all back - still a series of separate tales on film and stage, but with room to acknowledge stuff that has found it's way into The Heights. So yeah, this is a good time to get on board as I'm working on bringing all the Tales from Paradise Heights as a season to Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, and obviously if I'm doing that I'd love to bring them to other theatres too, both closer to home and further afield...watch this space. If there are any theatre programmers out there interested in growing an audience around a body of work then do get in touch, these are all well reviewed tales and have repeat viewings from fabulous audiences.

I'm currently in the wake of a great run at Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry, thank you to the magnificent audiences down there and to the quite brilliant and lovely Barry Edwards and Claudia Lis who run this gorgeous theatre. I'm now in the run up to the return of the show to The Kings Arms in Salford. It's given me a short breather and in this precious recuperation space (because I'm knackered) time to reflect on what has been achieved with the show.

This was a huge gamble for me, taking what worked before and transforming it, turning it into something new - with a whole new story, a fresh injection of a hint of the supernatural and a whole new act written in. Change was always a gamble, and the term 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' kept nagging me. But so much has come into the world of Paradise Heights - and outside it - since Frank launched the series all those years ago.

Well there's absolutely no doubt that this was a success, I found a whole new angle to the man, the shark, the monster - and ran with it. The show has really hit home with audiences as once you sit down in that theatre with Frank, in his club, there really is no escape. It's a hugely immersive experience, visceral, in your face theatre with a hard yet nuanced, driven performance at its core. I think it's fair to say that this version has really enthralled and thrilled audiences, leaving them thinking about the man and his world long after seeing the show.

There were reasons for taking us into Frank's club. The Ace of Spades is the club as much as it is the man yes, but it is also the backdrop for the play, Strawberry Jack and having this great new set has allowed me to visit Jack again, it's a Christmas Tale and therefore I'll be bringing it back this Christmas, tweaking it a touch, adding more performance within performance and paving the way for the next play in the series, a play I have talked about for years.

Torch.

A new tale, new drama in The Ace of Spades, with a real singer, a live band and a fresh noir driven story just itching to be told...so now is a great time to catch this show if you haven't already seen it. It's gonna pave the way to Christmas and Strawberry Jack, and of course to everyone's favourite villain in the series...

I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED returns to The Kings Arms, Salford 25th & 26th May, details below, along with a new trailer and a trailer for Strawberry Jack, more details on Jack here...

www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/strawberry-jack.html

There's a fresh new trailer below, including the wonderful musical work of Justin Wetherill, the fabulous video and photography of Karen McBride and Shay Rowan, and the iconic sign designs of Darren McGinn, what a team, I'm blessed.

So, make it a date this coming Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May and catch one of the two shows remaining...this is the origin tale from Paradise Heights after all, and even though you can jump on board at any time with any of the tales, this is a great place to start...and of course, Frank would love to meet you and welcome you to The Ace of Spades.

Joe x

NEW MAY 2018 TRAILER

Pic by Shay Rowan

The Kings Arms New Dates Ticket Links:

Friday 25th May:
www.kingsarmssalford.com/my-calendar/?cid=mc-6bea5a7e02f8f5e2945b6f6b1bbf9266&mc_id=1622

Saturday 26th May
www.kingsarmssalford.com/my-calendar/?cid=mc-6bea5a7e02f8f5e2945b6f6b1bbf9266&mc_id=1623

Book them fast as we filled up real fast last time...it will be great to see you! And for the readers among you, Frank Morgan pops up in my first novel, THE BENCH: A Tale from Paradise Heights...you can download it here - a cracking read on Paradise Heights and a whole host of characters, check the reviews at the link:

www.amazon.co.uk/Bench-Tale-Paradise-Heights-Tales-ebook/dp/B013VNYZOY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

And all for less than the price of a pint...

Joe x

Strawberry Jack: A Tale from Paradise Heights - Trailer

Get on board with Tales from Paradise Heights now, all the tales are coming back and there's more tales to come...catch the ride...but fair warning, this is addictive stuff, once sampled you'll be hooked.

Joe x

RewiRED and Re-Fired up. Oswestry next then a Return to Salford...and some great Blaine Manor News

4/20/2018

Photography by Karen McBride

Well Frank Morgan broke his way out of Hell last week and made quite the impression in an eclectic and explosive return to Tales from Paradise Heights. I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED was very much an experiment for me, a leap forward with the character, taking risks and leaving safety behind. It's been a tough couple of months on my own in pre-production and rehearsal with this monster, acting as writer/actor/director/producer/promoter is extremely challenging to say the least and quite a lonely process. It certainly teaches you about self discipline, drive and focus. My toughest test acting wise thus far.

So, from standing ovations to controversy (a couple of walk outs - Frank is strong stuff) I'm delighted to say the experiment worked. The overall audience and critical consensus thus far though has been extremely positive and has fired me up no end. It's not all about the ferocity, there is humour and pathos here, and the remnants of a human beneath this monstrous shell. Members of the audience were moved from laughter, shock and horror, to tears. The new elements to the story really striking a chord, and driving home the supernatural meets natural flavour of the series. This is very much a modern urban crime story meets gothic fairy tale.

Pic by Shay Rowan

Huge thanks to Justin Wetherill again for coming up with the goods sound and music wise, and to John Tatlock for being such a joy to work with on lighting. Once again Darren McGinn delivered the goods digital art wise, Karen McBride and Shay Rowan produced some amazing photography and Darren Barker did a great on job set building.

The best sound bite I heard from an audience member last week was 'Richard III meets The Long Good Friday meets Hellblazer.' That's a very unique description to a very unique show, I can confidently say that there is nothing like this out there. Oswestry is the next stop for the show, at the brilliant Hermon Chapel Arts Centre - and I will be doing a Q&A on the show and Tales from Paradise Heights after each of those shows, more details at the link:

mailchi.mp/ddb200a5ea11/im-frank-morgan-rewired-a-one-man-play-by-joe-obyrne

Huge thanks to you , the audiences for coming along and making Frank's return so special, you really made those nights. Once again massive thanks to Lisa Connor and all the staff down at The Kings Arms, we're gonna be back...see below.

Now, bring on Oswestry and big hi to you audiences at Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, I can't wait to get back there.

Imagery by Darren McGinn

Ticket Links:
Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Chapel Street, Oswestry 3rd and 4th May

Thurs 3rd May, 7:30 pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMF

Fri 4th May, 7:30pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMG

Book them fast as we filled up real fast last time...it will be great to see you!

Joe x

Further Dates Added to The Kings Arms, Salford

I'm delighted to announce that due to the popular demand in Salford the Bad Fella will be back much earlier than I had originally planned. The show returns to The Kings Arms, Salford on 25th & 26th May, ticket links are further down, hope to see you there.

I gave this show my all, and I'll be back to do it again...losing dad last year taught me a lesson, a hard lesson. We are dead too long. Do your thing, and to Hell with the consequences...Jx

More on Frank Morgan here:
www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/im-frank-morgan.html

Pic by Karen McBride

The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Fringe Festival

I'm also very happy to announce that the award winning The Haunting of Blaine Manor will be part of this years Buxton Fringe Festival, ahead of the show's Autumn/Winter Tour...details below...

We will be in the Arts Centre which I believe is part of Buxton Opera House, the very heart of the festival and we can't wait to perform there. Here are the dates and times - ticket links to follow:

Fri 6th July, 5:45PM
Mon 9th July, 9:30PM
Tue 17th July, 9:30PM
Wed 18th July, 5:45PM

More details soon and more on The Haunting of Blaine Manor here...

www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

Thanks for reading, for showing interest, for coming along and supporting...hope to see you all again real soon...

Joe x

I'm Frank Morgan - RewiRED: The Shark and the Shadow of the Shark

4/7/2018

Frank Morgan is the first character I created in Tales from Paradise Heights. A background character in a half written novel - the full story of his creation can be found here: www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/im-frank-morgan.html

He is to Paradise Heights what Darth Vader is to Star Wars, an iconic villain with a shadow that is cast across the entire series of Paradise Heights tales. When I first wrote I'm Frank Morgan all those years ago I had no idea that I would go on to create a series of critically acclaimed tales set in the same community. Thus far there have been seven separate tales. Frank only appears in three of them, but each of the protagonists in the other stories have either crossed paths with or had their fates altered irrevocably by association with the shark. Frank's shadow is heavy and long across The Heights, and his deeds have echoed down through the years, leaving their own landmarks on a scarred landscape.

The way the world is today, Frank would thrive. He's a sociopath, a gambler, an opportunist and something of a lone wolf among a criminal community, he does things his way. The way things are today, particularly from a political perspective, there are world leaders that operate under those same personality traits and approaches to life and dealing with people.

This is certainly a time to bring him back. But this is a Frank RewiRED. A significant location and certain characters were created in later tales, I wanted a chance to acknowledge that and if I was to bring the play back I'd do it, so I have. There are nods and references to quite a few of the other stories here and I'm also laying down track to the next tale with this rewrite - you don't have to have seen any of the other stories to watch this though, this is a rise from a Paradise Heights Lazarus Pit, and a Frank scarily altered.

I've been working alone on this, rehearsing into the wee small hours, there's nothing quite as testing discipline wise as a one man show, I know there's no hiding place once I'm out there. Of course it is also harder to sell, my friends circle only goes so far so it's tough selling those seats - do share this if you get the chance as I can promise you a show that you'll never forget. This is certainly a leap with the character, this is a dark modern fairy tale with an injection of EC Horror. I guarantee plenty of surprises for anyone that might have seen the original.

Darren Barker is doing a fabulous job creating set and Darren McGinn has again been creating some fab imagery (all the visual elements seen around this page) for the show. The very talented Justin Wetherill has been creating sound - there is music too - but I'm saying no more, just be there on the night(s).

Premiere's Thursday 12th April at The Kings Arms, Salford for 3 nights then moves onto Hermon Chapel Arts Centre in Oswestry, full venue, booking links and details below.

It would be lovely to see you. Welcome to The Ace of Spades, Frank can't wait ta meetchya...

Joe x

Ticket Booking Links Below:

This new interpretation premieres at The Kings Arms, Salford on 12/13 & 14th April, tickets now on sale at the links below:

Thurs 12th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104755

Fri 13th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104765

Sat 14th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104775

Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Chapel Street, Oswestry 3rd and 4th May

Thurs 3rd May, 7:30 pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMF

Fri 4th May, 7:30pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMG

The Haunting of Blaine Manor Wins Salford Star Best Play of 2017 Award

1/31/2018

Fantastic news as the play kicks of 2018 with an award.

Full story at the link below...

www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

Hermon Chapel Arts Centre - Get Involved!

11/24/2017

The Haunting of Blaine Manor has really been blessed with amazing venues since its premiere in 2016. Each venue we have played, Hope Mill Theatre, Ancoats; The Kings Arms, Salford (two runs there); The Old Red Lion, Islington and Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry have left us with great memories from our runs there. It's hard to single out any place really, The Kings Arms has been amazing though, two cracking runs there and an amazing host in Lisa Connor, I can't recommend the place enough for Northern creatives, film, theatre, music - The Kings is a venue that will only do you good.

But Hermon Chapel really resounded with us. A chapel over 150 years old, the pews still in place, the building rang with ghosts of its own; this together with its unique charm and incredibly friendly and helpful hosts Barry and Claudia, really made an impression on us for the three nights we were there.

(Look out for a future blog post about the ghostly goings on we had in London at The Old Red Lion and on tour - shudders!)

The community itself (when I say community I mean Oswestry and the villages surrounding it up to 25 miles away, many people travelling so far to see the play) were amazing with us. The performance space opens up to the bar area, and after each performance each night we spent a good couple of hours drinking and chatting with the audience members who were just incredibly friendly, quite a few of them seeing the show more than once and bringing their friends on following nights.

Our set in the unique performance space that is Hermon Chapel

For Barry and Claudia nothing was too much trouble in their quest to help us have an amazing run there, they pitched in everywhere and the kettle was always on. This lovely couple have a mission of their own, and creatives and audiences can help them in their quest to accomplish this mission. They live in the building and are doing their best to put a plan together to buy the place, they have two years left on the lease.

It would be incredibly tragic to see this building lost to some redeveloper, or a Tescos or a bloody car park, this building has a rich history and needs preserving, but more than anything it needs preserving as a performance venue, and that's exactly what Barry and Claudia are trying to do.

The building was originally a listed welsh speaking chapel, built in 1862 and now re-born as a vibrant arts centre offering a range of interesting events all designed to help bring people together, so important in these stretched rural communities.It was almost demolished a few years ago, but thankfully rescued by a local businessman and Barry and Claudia are doing their best to bring live music, visual arts, literature events, talks, theatre, workshops and more. The venue is available for hire for local groups and has a bar area for refreshments. Their dream is to buy the building before their lease runs out, can you help out?

This is a shout out to touring companies, performers, theatre, comedy nights, music nights of course and even film nights as they have a large screen and projector and a fantastic sound system. This place is only an hour and 20 minutes from Manchester, and as a Manchester company we had no problem getting an audience there, with promotion (more than supported by Barry and Claudia who drew in the local community so well) we had three packed out nights there.

Seriously, if you are touring, get this place on your map - you won't regret it and it will help to keep the place alive - it's totally unique, no other place like it in the UK. Keep it alive.

We can't wait to go back.

More details on their website below at the link:

www.hermonchapel.com

Joe x

On the subject of The Haunting of Blaine Manor, the play now has its own review page, check 'em out at the link below, packed with cracking reviews and amazing photography.

www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/reviews.html

Jx

The Art, Sound & Vision of The Haunting of Blaine Manor

10/21/2017

The Haunting of Blaine Manor opens at The Kings Arms on Monday 23rd October and embarks on a Halloween Tour that is selling very fast, London 3 tickets away from selling out as I write this.

I'd like to talk about the work of a couple of the many heroes involved in the production, theatre art is a collaborative process. Darren McGinn (imagery and trailers) and Justin Wetherill (music and sound effects), both these guys are a huge and essential part of The Haunting of Blaine Manor. Both have worked speedily and tirelessly, both bringing vibrant and colourful imagination to the project.

Both of the trailers below illustrate their talents, all imagery and imagination by Darren and all music and sound (with the exception of nature's input - thunder) were created by Justin. The all too human and horrifying sounds heard within play were created by Justin and the cast one horrific afternoon in a recording studio in Sinister Sheffield. We all went quite mad there that afternoon and you can hear us in the 2016 trailer below, that's all of our voices, no one else, and of course Justin's silky skills.

The first trailer below is the new trailer, for the 2017 Halloween Tour.

And below, the 2016 trailer from last years sold out runs of the show...

Then of course there is the wonderful art of Darren McGinn in addition to his editing of the trailers and creations of the animations within them. His portrait work of the characters is just beautiful.

Vivian Rutledge, Reporter (Played by Jo Haydock)

Doctor Roy Earle, Investigator of Alleged Paranormal Activity (Played by Peter Slater)

Cairo, Psychic and Medium (Played by Andrew Yates)

Adolphus Scarabus, World Renowned Psychic and Medium (Played by Phil Dennison)

Vincent De Lambré, Custodian of Blaine Manor (Played by Daniel Thackeray)

Grady, Butler of Blaine Manor (Played by Joe O'Byrne)

Any of these images would look fabulous enlarged and framed in portraits, stunning imagery that perfectly captures the mood of the production. Darren McGinn, amazing artist. More of Darren's imagery can be found in the gallery below, all used to support this production, all imagery and photography in this gallery is by Darren.

More of Darren's work can be found here:
http://www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-art-of-darren-mcginn.html

And on his own website here:

www.darrenmcginn.co.uk

More of Justin's brilliant work on sound effects and musical sound track production for film etc can be found here:

www.atmosounds.co.uk

A Big shout out to these two guys who I will be working with again soon on the animated short film from Tale from Paradise Heights - THE NIGHT DEATH PUT ME DOWN...coming soon from Tales from Paradise Heights.

Below are the details of where our Halloween Tour is taking us, and all of the links that you can book tickets at.

Our final night of the 7 nights Salford leg of our tour see's us as part of this, STAGE FRIGHT, a wonderful FULL DAY OF HORROR at the Kings Arms, where you can experience the full day of events, or buy a ticket for the part of the day you want to see. Details at The Kings Arms website:

www.kingsarmssalford.com/whats-on/

HALLOWEEN TOUR DATES AND LINKS ALL BELOW:

www.ticketweb.co.uk/search/?language=en-us&keyword=The+Haunting+of+Blaine+Manor
7 Haunted Nights 23rd to 29th October...we sold out last year over 5 nights

Tickets are also on sale at the enchanting Hermon Chapel Arts Theatre, dates there are 31st October (Halloween!) and 1st and 2nd November:
http://www.hermonchapel.com/what-s-on-box-office/

Finally we play the closing day of the London Horror Festival, at the Old Red Lion Theatre Pub, London on the 4th November - tickets on sale at the link below.
www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

#BlaineManor #LHF2017 Horror is a Place

As I write this there are only 3 tickets left for our London leg of the tour, so move fast. Looking forward to seeng you all...please share Darren and Justin's work where you can, two very talented guys deserving more recognition out there.

Joe x

THE HALLOWEEN TOUR: Tickets Are Flying Like Vampire Bats...

10/8/2017

Image by DARREN McGINN

'Tis but a couple of weeks before we return to THE KINGS ARMS in Salford, move on to HERMON CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE,, Oswestry then finish the tour at THE OLD RED LION, ISLINGTON, LONDON as part of the LONDON HORROR FESTIVAL. hip." #LHF2017

Tis also a cliché - but TRUE, but the tickets are flying, flying like vampire bats ...there is only one sound to be heard for those failing to get a ticket...don't be the one that hears it, for it will haunt you...FOREVER!

Everything you need to know from venues to ticket links, from cast to crew, from trailers to photo's, is all over here on THE HAUNTING OF BLAINE MANOR page, click the link below and don't be disappointed.

www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

And for the many of you that are coming to see us again? You pay us the ultimate compliment, thank you...see you out there...HORROR IS A PLACE...Joe xx

DAD: I Ain't Gonna Let The Grass Grow No More...

9/7/2017

Harry O'Byrne, the Lion of my Life

My father passed away on the 15th of July, and that has still to fully sink in with me, it’s too raw for me to think about properly and my brain shuts that side down if I start to think about it. There will come a time I’m sure. But the one thing I have learnt from it is to make the most of every day now, to keep feeding the fire of creativity. To stop thinking about it and get on with it. After The Haunting of Blaine Manor tour in October and November I’m going straight into producing and directing the next short film in the Tales from Paradise Heights series, The Last Drop, it’s a winter’s tale. I'm also going to be working with Darren McGinn and Justin Wetheril on the animated short The Night Death Put Me Down - see below's update.

Tales from Paradise Heights is yet to hit London, that’s all going to change in the new year, I’m looking for venues both for that series of plays and for The Haunting of Blaine Manor, that play is at the London Horror Festival in November. As well as that I’m trying to organise my first art exhibition.

On top of this there were two very favourite characters of mine from my play and novel The Bench.

Eric. The homeless guy. He’s a poet and a king, a lost soul, a man that carries a torch for Gabrielle, the burn scarred shoplifter that lives on the streets and in the hostels, an unrequited love for her burns in his heart. He’s a man with worldly experience - but what brought him here? A battle scarred lion of the streets. I like him, there’s a lot of me there.

And Gabrielle. The burn scarred orphan who grew up in the shadow of The Heights. She dresses to hide her burns, to shield her from looks that would find those scars, she hides her sexuality, but there’s such an inner beauty with her. Frank Morgan destroyed her family and almost her too. She’s a street thief, a shop lifter, an artist. She found Eric, but she’s not sure what she’s found. To me they represent the couple from The Pogues and Kirsty McColl’s A Fairy Tale of New York. I’m currently story lining another Tale from Paradise Heights, a play, it’s called Banshee...and it will be a story of Eric and Gabrielle.

There’s a fire lit under me now and it’s not going to go out. I have so much more I want to do, to say, to express in so many different forms, I feel like I have only scratched the surface. I’m going to be busier than I have ever been before, I am seriously committed to that now. Before the light bulb starts to get dim there are a lot more characters, stories and canvas’ that need to find the light. And I’m dedicating the lot to Dad.

The Bench - The Novel

I was very fortunate this week to be interviewed by the lovely poet and columnist Emily Oldfield, the Editorial Assistant and Writer for ilovemanchester.com

Emily has a deep love of music and poetry and of Manchester's cultural history, writing many well researched articles and colourful reviews of musical gigs, poetry and spoke word, theatre and film. She also covers food and fashion and has many excellent articles throughout the site. It's safe to say that Emily has her finger firmly on the pulse of of Manchester's Creative Culture. Click the link below to view Emily's writings for ilovemanchester.com

ilovemanchester.com/author/emilyoldfield

What shines though clearly is Emily's love for all things creative and for the City of Manchester, it's voices like hers that really help the creative(s) of Manchester find a wider audience.

We talked mainly about my novel, The Bench and of Tales from Paradise Heights, the interview is at the link below.

ilovemanchester.com/2017/09/07/meet-man-whos-called-scorsese-salford.aspx

Thank you Emily and thank you ilovemanchester

A quick word on the novel itself, which you can purchase for the princely sum of £3.49 at Amazon.co.uk

It's not easy being an unknown writer on Amazon, or any site where you are trying to sell your book online. I'm a first time author there and I'm among 700,000 other novelists, many of them first time writers too, you're a grain of sand in a sand storm. If you're unknown it is of course difficult to get anyone to buy your book, to read it. New writers are encouraged to run campaigns from time to time where they give the novel away, with the hopes of gaining reviews, which in turn it would be hoped would generate further sales.

I tried this, announcing that if people downloaded something I had worked on for so long for free, would they in turn do me the courtesy of writing a short two or three lined review on the novel. Out of one hundred and thirty seven free downloads of the book I received two reviews. Now whilst it's nice that twelve of my thus far thirteen reviews at he time of writing are 5 star, it's disheartening to see so few reviews come in for it - and of course I'm giving it away! Dad would go mad.

I don't think I'm going to be giving it away anymore, £3.49 is a fair price for the endeavour I put in. I hope you download it and I really hope you enjoy it, but of course be honest in your reviews. You can download the novel by clicking the link below, and thank you if you do Dear Reader, it's a fabulous introduction to the world of Tales from Paradise Heights, but don't take my word for it, check the reviews.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bench-Tale-Paradise-Heights-Tales-ebook/dp/B013VNYZOY

I'll be writing a more in-depth peace to my Dad on here soon, something deserving of the Lion in Life that he was. He's still here, in my blood and in my beating heart.

Joe x

Animated Tales and Art...

3/6/2017

It's been a while, I hope you are all well.

Well here's the shortest update ever, but I'm really excited about both pieces of news:

Later this year will see the release of the first ANIMATED(!!!) film from Tales from Paradise Heights.

I'm getting together with Darren McGinn, his visionary flare and design skills are well known among Paradise Heights fans as he has worked on posters and trailers for the series, and Justin Wetherill who produced a brilliant score and designed the superbly haunting sound effects for The Haunting of Blaine Manor.
www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

I'm really excited about this, always wanted to do animated tales and this one is very much an experiment as much as it is a tale in its own right.

Below are a couple of very rough story board sketches. More details soon...

Sketch by Joe O'Byrne

And the second announcement is more of a reminder that I have recently launched my art website, www.sinfuljoe.com

I'm still very new to the art world but enjoying exploring and learning, lots of learning. The site is very much in its little acorn stage but I have every intention of turning it into a might oak over the years, the good news being I have already sold my first canvas from the site.

I'll also be starting a blog from there, have a work in progress page and any other items that might be linked to art, the website is still in an embryonic stage, still growing - i.e. I'll be posting anything I'm doing art wise i.e. the storyboards to the film project there etc, not all of the storyboards will be posted though as I don't want to give too much away about the film.

Do visit the site and share it where you can, and if you are interested in having work commissioned do give me a shout through the contact page there or leave me a message here.

So that's it for now, see you in the next update...:D

Joe x

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FEELING PUNCHY - I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED

The RewiRED Experiment: The Ace of Spades, The Return of Strawberry Jack and a Series Re-Launch

RewiRED and Re-Fired up. Oswestry next then a Return to Salford...and some great Blaine Manor News

Further Dates Added to The Kings Arms, Salford

The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Fringe Festival

I'm Frank Morgan - RewiRED: The Shark and the Shadow of the Shark

The Haunting of Blaine Manor Wins Salford Star Best Play of 2017 Award

Hermon Chapel Arts Centre - Get Involved!

The Art, Sound & Vision of The Haunting of Blaine Manor

THE HALLOWEEN TOUR: Tickets Are Flying Like Vampire Bats...

DAD: I Ain't Gonna Let The Grass Grow No More...

The Bench - The Novel

Animated Tales and Art...

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Further Dates Added to The Kings Arms, Salford

​The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Fringe Festival

The Bench - The Novel

Author

Archives

Categories

The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Fringe Festival