Book Launched!

We had a great night last night at my book launch. The Daily Mail has got a good write up and some more excellent photos. Sadly Sukipo, who won the competition, couldn't attend but I am sending her a signed book. Early signs are the book's selling well, so thanks to everyone who's bought it.

Congratulations Sukipo! You'll be joining us this Thursday!

One of my Twitter followers Sukipo has been chosen to be a guest at my book launch on Thursday. We'll be posting some photos of the event so, if she doesn't mind, you'll get to see her then. I will also ask her to do a short post here about how it was. This is the comment that made me choose Sukipo:

"I would love to win a copy of your book. I am 57 and unable to find paid employment after working for many years in Senior Management, ageism is. I am currently a volunteer mentor ironically working with long term unemployed.I could use all the help I can get to remain positive about my situation and perhaps some tips to help with my mentoring."

Come and join me as I celebrate the launch of my new book

As you can see on the left, my new book is out next week. Do enter the competition to win a VIP invitation to join me at the launch party we're having on April 2nd.  Here is the blurb from the back of the book cover:

Every day, psychotherapy helps thousands of people: They feel happier, achieve more success and enjoy better relationships. But not everyone can – or wants to – be in therapy. The good news is that dozens of tips and tools from the therapy room are available for you to use right now. In this book I explore over forty  issues that impact on almost everyone’s lives and, using examples drawn from real life, help you gain a better understanding of why things happen, with clear insights and advice that will help you think about life’s challenges in new, more positive ways. The stories in this book will hopefully inspire you to change the way you think, feel and behave and show you how to be a better wife, husband, parent and friend. Above all, though, they will help you become a better you – because the more we understand why we do what we do, the more we can change ourselves for the better and enjoy the fuller, happier lives we deserve.

Paul Staines AKA Guido's latest lies really scrape the barrel

Needless to say Paul Staines's latest post about me is inaccurate, offensive and libellous. I am beginning to think he wants to be sued. Luckily he doesn't have much credibility these days so it's not worth wasting too much time responding to him.

But on the basis that a lie can be half way around the world before the truth has got its boots on I thought I had better take 10 minutes to post a clear rebuttal of his lies. So, just for the record:

1. On Kate's court case, I will leave that to her solicitors who issued this statement yesterday:

“This report has got the wrong end of the stick. The Inland Revenue had overestimated the amount owed by Kate by tens of thousands of pounds. In the end the Inland Revenue and the court agreed they had indeed made an overestimation and lowered the amount owed. As soon as they did so Kate paid the lower amount immediately and in full. Kate and Derek’s mortgage and other financial details are private and people should make no assumptions on why they have done something based on partial knowledge. To bring Ok! Magazine and the couple’s new baby into this is even more misleading and offensive. This has got no connection whatsoever with the disputed tax bill which was paid last year. Kate has always believed in sharing the happy news in her life with her well-wishers and will continue to do so.”

2. I am clearly not going to get into my personal finances as these are no-one else's business but the picture Staines attempts to paint is patently ridiculous. You will note there are no names or actual facts just blanket and unspecific insinuations. If he had any actual facts why wouldn't he publish them?

3. I have excellent qualifications as a psychotherapist including an MA in psychology and another MA which I am about to receive from a very distinguished UK institution. I have never sought NHS patients, my work as a psychotherapist is wholly with private patients, and my practice is always full. In addition I write numerous articles, including a regular column on therapy and have a book "Life Support" coming out on April 2nd.

We know Staines is a former bankrupt and he seems intent on suggesting that I have "financial problems"too which I do not.

As I said earlier, though, luckily he has pretty much zero credibility and this is merely the latest instance of him gunning for me because of the success of LabourList and us holding him to account for publishing racist, sexist and homophobic comments.

Whatever lies he publishes about me we will carry on doing that. We will also continue to scrutinise his commercial dealings. We will be here long after he has gone.

An associate of his told me, "Paul just posts rubbish in an effort to get attention so he gets more traffic and can sell more ads. That's all he's about". What a pathetic career for a grown man.

New book calls for end to social networks

(Photo source: Rob Brown's blog)

In his new book "PR and the non-social web" leading Lib Dem voting PR man Rob Brown calls for people not to build networks online. "Making connections and then letting people make connections to you is wrong and basically spamming" he says. "It's better to make silly cheap points against your political opponents because they are doing better than your party online". He concluded, "Buy this book from a man who clearly doesn't get social media and you're a bigger fool than me". Rob's doctors last night issued a statement confirming that he was the latest sufferer of a severe outbreak in Tory and Lib Dem circles of... http://twitpic.com/204jk

UPDATE 12.00 pm

Despite being known as a Lib Dem, Rob has twittered to say he is not one. Confusing eh?

UPDATE 1.30 pm

Good blogpost on this here

UPDATE 3.30 pm Friday

Another interesting post from politics, pr and marketing

and I have a twitter grade of over 99% whatever that means!

and I wish this rating was true!

maybe this one on twinfluence is?

Guido and Iain Dale have a bad case of...

Guido and Iain Dale are upset that I am the most followed political twitterer. So they are saying that my account is suspended, which it isn't. Partly this is due to their obsessiveness about me and the success of LabourList but surely it's also a touch of jealousy...

(PS They seem to think that me following people to see if they want to follow me is somehow untoward. Why? Following people who have an interest in politics seems sensible, and if they CHOOSE to follow me, that's great. Plus, most of my followers didn't come this way, they are completely organic, and the number grows daily. Also, they say I couldn't possibly be following all those people so I "don't understand the internet". But actually I have a search function that alerts me to any one of the people I follow twittering about certain topics, so while obviously I don't follow nearly 3000 people every day I do keep a track of what they are saying about the things I'm interested in. Isn't that the point ? Or maybe Guido and Iain "don't get Twitter?":)

You might also be interested to read MattWardman on why Rachel Sylvester got it so wrong in yesterday's Times....

Another artistic tribute from my rabid right wing fans

This one is from a sad twat calling himself tory-totty

I've said it before and I will no doubt say it again, we must be doing something right...