A fine solo performance

The sort of young person who once drifted into publishing now fiddles about with computers instead. The trade has been transformed both by its wretched economics and by the wretched spirit of the times. Solo publishing in particular, an eccentric business or a business for eccentrics, should have died out many years ago. Michael Russell didn’t. He is vague about dates but seems to have been at it for about 35 years and is still going, perhaps even going strong. He puts it perfectly: ‘In publishing terms I know I’m largely out of touch, but I seem to keep in touch all right with that part of the book-buying market which is also out of touch.’

Now he has produced an anthology of snippets from works he has published over the years. The start, a small reminiscent essay by himself, is very funny. So, to hook the audience, are the next few pieces.