Inform us a bit about your second e book and the way you got here up with the concept?
Foul and Honest is a thriller set on the planet of youngsters’ grassroots soccer: an below 12s coach will get right into a feud with one other supervisor, and the rivalry escalates right into a succession of soiled tips – Roy of the Rovers meets Home of Playing cards was the vibe I used to be going for.
I managed a children’ crew for seven years, and in addition to seeing loads of volunteers who have been giving up hours and hours of time for the sake of the children, I additionally noticed too many coaches who wished to make all of it about themselves, appearing as if it was the Premier League.
The e book is about when these two views collide, about discovering the road between doing the proper factor and getting the proper outcome. Though it’s about children’ soccer, it’s not a kids’s e book – it’s written for adults (it’s a bit sweary at instances).
Was it more durable or simpler to jot down this e book than the primary one?
In a single sense, a lot more durable; it definitely took longer. I truly wrote this one earlier than Lifeless Man Singing, however I knew that I hadn’t bought it proper but. Whereas Lifeless Man Singing was within the technique of being revealed, I used to be remodeling Foul and Honest.
Figuring out what was unsuitable with the unique model was comparatively easy; figuring out how you can put it proper took quite a bit longer. I had just a few false begins and lifeless ends, however as soon as I stumble on including a second character, Hayley, to share the main focus of the e book with James the soccer coach, the whole lot began to fall into place.
She’s a single mum and a police officer, and the way in which her story progressively intertwines with James’ makes all of the distinction. I’m actually happy with the place I’ve ended up with this one, even when it was loads of work to get there.
The story is about an U12s coach, however how a lot of the storyline is drawn out of your experiences at MAN v FAT Bournemouth?
Not a lot, to be sincere! The unique model of the story was written earlier than I began with MAN v FAT, though the Hayley revisions got here since. The membership has left a few marks on the e book although.
Considered one of our gamers is a police officer, and he was an enormous assist for me in making Hayley’s work experiences ring true. There’s additionally a minor character within the e book who is called after one other of our gamers. For quite a lot of causes, I simply couldn’t discover the proper title for that character, and I immediately realised that it was proper there on the membership web site all alongside.
I requested him if he minded me utilizing it and, fortunately, he agreed. If any of the lads from Bournemouth need to know which of their friends has made it into print, they’ll simply have to purchase the e book and browse it – I feel they’ll recognise him within the character too, though it wasn’t initially primarily based on him.
Though there’s nothing in Foul and Honest to do with weight-loss, there’s loads in there concerning the worth of soccer for wellbeing, significantly for kids. There’s additionally loads of soccer motion that may enchantment to anybody who loves the sport; anybody with recollections of youngsters’ soccer, both as a participant themselves, as a coach, or as a guardian, will discover a lot within the e book that resonates with their expertise.
I believe that the overwhelming majority of MAN v FAT gamers fall into not less than a kind of classes, so I’m hoping that a number of individuals in our group will actually benefit from the e book.
What has the preliminary suggestions been to the e book?
It’s very early days but, however up to now so good! Overview copies are nonetheless being despatched out, however I managed to get superior copies of the e book to a few individuals within the soccer world: Martin Dighton, previously with Dorset FA and now Senior Coach Developer at Teaching UK, and Richard Dobson, who was Gareth Ainsworth’s assistant supervisor at QPR and Wycombe.
They’ve each given glowing endorsements, praising the e book for authentically capturing the world of grassroots soccer, for the general message about placing children first, and for being an amazing, enjoyable learn.
You’ll be able to see their quotes in full at https://stevecouch.co.uk/books/bwopx5ob3pvdrgme/foul-and-fair/
Lifeless Man Singing bought some implausible reader critiques as soon as it was out on the planet, so I’m hoping that Foul and Honest will comply with in its footsteps.
You’re coming to the nationwide event – how a lot are you wanting ahead to assembly extra of the group? And the way a lot will the e book value them to purchase?
I’m actually wanting ahead to it. In addition to promoting books, I’m hoping I’ll have the ability to watch a number of the soccer and to speak with MAN v FAT gamers from throughout the nation. I’ve been concerned with MAN v FAT for 2 and a half years now and I like the heat and the sense of help that everybody has for each other.
It’s genuinely probably the greatest issues I’ve ever been concerned with and I’m very proud to have a small half in one thing that modifications so many lives for the higher.
The books retail at £9.99 every, and I’ll be doing a particular provide for the event: if somebody buys Foul and Honest and Lifeless Man Singing collectively, I can do the pair at £16. However whether or not somebody desires to purchase books or not, I’d love for individuals to come back and discover my bookstall and have a chat.
Please do search out Steve on the event, we’re positive he’d be glad to speak to you!