We love (or hate) Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson because he has found his voice, which is distinctively dry, usually offensive and highly amusing. Best-selling author, Albert Jack has also created a unique way of expressing himself in his books that delve into the history behind popular world culture with a tone that is wry, irreverent and occasionally rude (if it gets past the Editor).

His titles include ‘Red Herrings and White Elephants’, exploring the origins of well-known English phrases and he valiantly attempts to explain the unexplained in ‘Loch Ness Monsters and Raining Frogs’. Turning his hand to nursery rhymes in ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’, Jack advises that “these so-called nursery rhymes aren’t the innocent little songs for children that they purport to be” and he reveals some of their more gruesome and barbaric meanings. His book entitled, ‘What Caesar Did For My Salad; Not to Mention the Earl’s Sandwich, Pavlova’s Meringue and Other Curious Stories Behind our Favourite Food’, was created because he came up with the title and liked it so much that he thought he’d better write the book – now receiving critical acclaim. Like Clarkson, Jack has a loyal following because his books appeal to everyone regardless of age or sex. He’s got more than a million fans worldwide if sales are anything to go buy.

Wouldn’t you love to know how he does it? What is the secret formula to writing a best seller and how to get an international publisher to read your proposal? Well, guess what – you can – directly from the lips of Albert Jack himself, who lives right here in Cape Town and is running workshops for amateurs and professionals. He’s running an 8-week course (2-hours a week) starting on 1 June and a ‘Get Ready for Publication’ 2-day residential course in Cape Town on 23/24 July and Johannesburg on 30 July/1 Aug.

We’ll reveal some of his tips for writing non-fiction books, but for more you’ll have to find out from him in person: “never use words that you wouldn’t use in conversation, don’t try and prove how clever you are, write for a ten minute attention span and know when to stop. Always be aware who your audience is and find your own voice.”

For more information, please contact Gillian Smith, Director of Events.