Inform us a bit about your second ebook and the way you got here up with the thought?
Foul and Truthful is a thriller set on the planet of youngsters’ grassroots soccer: an beneath 12s coach will get right into a feud with one other supervisor, and the rivalry escalates right into a succession of soiled methods – Roy of the Rovers meets Home of Playing cards was the vibe I used to be going for.
I managed a children’ group 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, performing as if it was the Premier League.
The ebook is about when these two views collide, about discovering the road between doing the proper factor and getting the proper end result. Though it’s about children’ soccer, it’s not a kids’s ebook – it’s written for adults (it’s a bit sweary at instances).
Was it tougher or simpler to put in writing this ebook than the primary one?
In a single sense, a lot tougher; it actually took longer. I truly wrote this one earlier than Useless Man Singing, however I knew that I hadn’t received it proper but. Whereas Useless Man Singing was within the strategy of being revealed, I used to be transforming Foul and Truthful.
Figuring out what was flawed with the unique model was comparatively easy; figuring out easy methods to put it proper took loads longer. I had just a few false begins and useless ends, however as soon as I stumble on including a second character, Hayley, to share the main target of the ebook with James the soccer coach, every thing began to fall into place.
She’s a single mum and a police officer, and the way in which her story regularly 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 plenty 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 ebook although.
One in every 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 ebook who is known as after one other of our gamers. For quite a lot of causes, I simply couldn’t discover the proper identify for that character, and I abruptly 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 wish to know which of their friends has made it into print, they’ll simply have to purchase the ebook and browse it – I believe they’ll recognise him within the character too, though it wasn’t initially primarily based on him.
Though there’s nothing in Foul and Truthful to do with weight-loss, there’s lots in there in regards to the worth of soccer for wellbeing, notably for kids. There’s additionally loads of soccer motion that can enchantment to anybody who loves the sport; anybody with recollections of youngsters’ soccer, both as a participant themselves, as a coach, or as a mum or dad, will discover a lot within the ebook that resonates with their expertise.
I think that the overwhelming majority of MAN v FAT gamers fall into at the least a type of classes, so I’m hoping that numerous folks in our group will actually benefit from the ebook.
What has the preliminary suggestions been to the ebook?
It’s very early days but, however to this point so good! Evaluate copies are nonetheless being despatched out, however I managed to get superior copies of the ebook to a few folks 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 ebook for authentically capturing the world of grassroots soccer, for the general message about placing children first, and for being an awesome, enjoyable learn.
You possibly can see their quotes in full at https://stevecouch.co.uk/books/bwopx5ob3pvdrgme/foul-and-fair/
Useless Man Singing received some implausible reader evaluations as soon as it was out on the planet, so I’m hoping that Foul and Truthful will observe in its footsteps.
You’re coming to the nationwide event – how a lot are you trying ahead to assembly extra of the group? And the way a lot will the ebook price them to purchase?
I’m actually trying ahead to it. In addition to promoting books, I’m hoping I’ll be capable to watch among 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 assist 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 Truthful and Useless 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 folks to come back and discover my bookstall and have a chat.
Please do hunt down Steve on the event, we’re certain he’d be glad to speak to you!
