Before you contact me there are some things you need to know.

First, I won’t read or edit your story/script/novel/marriage proposal.  I am not a professional editor, and you don’t really want comments from some strange writer.  You need to find somebody you know and who knows you well enough to help.  Plus, if I start reading peoples work on the internet I’ll only end up getting sued by idiots who don’t understand how intellectual property law works.

Second, I am not available to give legal advice.  Yes, I am a lawyer.  But I am not in practice, do not have a practice certificate, and don’t live in the country where I’m qualified.  Which was excellent planning on my part.  Best that you find a specialist in your area and I go back to writing novels.  Unless, of course, you’re looking for academic writing on law and economics, in which case check out point three.

Third, and more positively, I am available for freelance work.  But please don’t waste your time asking me to work for free (you’ll be amazed how often this happens).  I already have plenty of my own work to do, so requests need to be well paid, prestigious, or for a really good cause.  Preferably all three.

Of course, if you’re Chris Chibnall and you’ve decided what you need is a random geezer to write a new episode of Dr Who, then just this once I’d waive my usual fee…

Finally, if you’re an author looking for a book review I am not currently accepting submissions UNLESS you are a British (by birth, naturalisation or just hanging out there a long time) transexual or writer of colour. Your book doesn’t have to be about those things (honestly I’m more interesting in spaceships) but I do want to play my part promoting marginalised groups and keeping my horizons as broad as possible. I like science fiction, science fantasy, urban fantasy and literary fiction with an imaginative story that isn’t about a young woman who has a terribly childhood then has sex and is punished for it. I also like historical fiction written by actual historians. If you think you fit into that rather narrow window, fill out the form and tell me how.

Not entirely put off?  The form awaits…