MY 'MINE TO DIE' (2024) - REVIEWED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER: 'THE ST IVES TIMES AND ECHO' BY ITS EDITOR, TONI CARVER

 I think most authors must be interested in the journey of their books after publication. I remember how calm I was when, a couple of years ago, I took the 600 surplus copies of my first book: The Road to Corbyn (2016) to the local recycling centre at St Erth for disposal in the skip. In my enthusiasm, I had ordered a print run of 1,000 copies. A big mistake. I have learnt the lesson. Actually that trip to the St Erth dump gifted me an encounter which was priceless. The guy employed to oversee the skip into which I was casting my books asked me what the book was about. He was in his late-thirties or early-forties, weather-beaten, a hard, tough physique. Not a man to cross. I explained. He paused. "Did you write this?" "Yes", I replied. He paused again. "Can I have a copy?" "Yes!" "Will you sign it?" "Yes!" - and then he explained that he was part of a Traveller community which was based in the Camborne area and on the three occasions that Jeremy Corbyn had come to Heartlands to speak in political rallies between 2016 and 2019, he and his family had been there to hear and applaud him - just as I had. We got on like a house on fire.

Published in May 2024

My latest book: Mine to Die had an initial print run of 200 copies. I have learned to be careful, although there may well be another print run of 100 ordered soon - see this recent blogpost here: Rob Donovan - Author: MINE TO DIE GETS CLOSE TO ANOTHER PRINT RUN  The latest event in the book's journey since publication in May adds further encouragement and increases the likelihood of making that

order for another print-run. Last Friday, I opened the local newspaper to find, in a prominent centre-page position, a review of Mine to Die by the editor, Toni Carver. Here it is:

There are a number of remarks in this review that make this author very happy:

• And, he [Donovan] does a thoroughly good job of it [unearthing the truth behind tragedies caused by neglect and indifference in the mining industry].
• Donovan's method of having his analysis backed by solid research works well in getting the reader back to that 'other country'. 
• An excellent addition to the library of anyone with an interest in the mining history of Cornwall, Mine to Die represents factual story-telling at its best, seen both through the eyes of the newspapers of the day and the author's own; a contemporary view with the benefit of scrupulous research.

Our quality local newspaper, here in St Ives

It's always good to know that the research skills and the ability to write well are appreciated. My personal challenge was to write a work of history that brought the past to life. It seems I have had some success in that venture.