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When talking to Tom Palmer a few things were clear; he adores writing, loves his family, and can’t live without Leeds United. The author of ‘If your proud to be a Leeds fan’ grew up addicted to Leeds United, and didn’t know that he wanted to be a writer until his early twenties, in fact growing up he didn’t want to be anything other than a Leeds United supporter, and when Leeds were relegated from the premiership in 2004 Tom says it was ‘the worst thing that had ever happened to me’.
In his twenties, although still a huge Leeds United fan, Tom became an avid reader. Starting off with just newspapers and sport related books, and then wanting to, and feeling the need to, read everything from all over the world Tom claims that ‘getting into reading really changed my life’. It wasn’t long before Tom began writing himself, and with the help of Martyn Bedford, who Tom says ‘was my mentor’, he started writing about what he was passionate about, and so he has come out with books not only about Leeds United but also heartfelt stories about father and son relationships, all with an undertone of how brilliant and life changing reading and writing can be.
Whilst writing ‘If your proud to be a Leeds fan’ Tom went to over 40 Leeds United matches as he wanted to write the book as a fan talking to other fans in the pub or at a match, rather than just a plotted history of the club as is done so often. Now a full time professional writer, and family man, Tom doesn’t make it to as many matches as this every year but says that he is still proud to be a Leeds fan, and hopes to take his daughter to a game soon.
Many writers have a particular place or environment that helps them write and Tom is no different, with early mornings being his favourite time, and the need for soft drinks and chocolate to keep him going all day. The book ‘The football detectives’ was written by Tom completely on his laptop on trains whilst visiting libraries around the country, and although he enjoyed this environment he says it is nice to have the time to write at home these days.
Apart from a certain environment Tom says that ‘being supported by other people is essential’, and with the help of people such as Martyn Bedford, James Nash and publishers such as Root, who support and give advice to local writers, Tom Palmer has become a well known and well respected writer who still says ‘My first drafts are always really S**T’.
Tom also supports other writers and is part of a writing group helping fellow writers with work and ideas. He is also a freelance reader development consultant, working with both children and adults to help develop there reading, visiting over 150 schools and libraries every year to promote what he is passionate about. It is obvious that Tom Palmer loves what he does and so wants to give back to a literary community which has been so kind to him. For Tom writing is ‘not all about being published’, it is so much more than this, and his one piece of advice for anyone out there who wants to become a writer is simply ‘anyone can do it if they really want to, just don’t give up!’. |
September 26th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hey there. I’m Matthew’s grandma. No, don’t turn me off! Reading the above is definitely relevant to me and my colleagues in our WRITING GROUP. Very bourgeois, I hear you cry. Actually we’re not, but we are all of uncertain age, and we have just published our first book. We are waiting for the printer to finish our SECOND PRINT RUN, and we’re interested in your magazine. Our technical chap is going to create a website for us. Ain’t that grand! Anyway, when we get our new copies, I plan to send/give a copy to Matthew, and hope it may be reviewed by The Hype. It’s not a novel, but a collection of short stories, memoirs and poetry - all our own work. Hope you can accommodate us. Many, many thanks. I’m telling people about you, by the way. I hope you’re not going to limit yourselves to the environs of Leeds. Maybe the White Rose and Red Rose can make love, not war.
Audrey xx