Henry Sherlock

His name is Henry Sherlock ("Yes. This is indeed my real name"), he's in his mid-40s and single, with very few grey hairs. Living in the United Kingdom with his guide dog Iree, Henry claims he's never had anything published "professionally" (he likes to call himself a "virgin writer), but he has been published (so there!): These are not the workings of a virgin writer!

Henry describes himself as. . ."afresh and passionate writer. I love writing and can often be found at my PC plodding away until the chorus of birds and the woolly brain dictates that morning has come. I write poetry, fiction, but my favourite and probably most talented area lies in fact. I lost my sight at the tender age of 32, after contracting viral meningitis. I did not let this stop my lust for the written or spoken word. I have at this time completed three exciting pieces of work that takes the reader on a journey into the world of the visually impaired. I also have many pieces of completed prose and an abundance of poetry. There is something in there for everyone. I always and still do, love to read. Although now, it is more like listening. As a child and a teenager I loved the idea that, no matter what was going on around me, I could slip into the world of reading. In there, I could go anywhere, be anything and at the same time I would be snug as a bug, tucked up in bed and safe."

At school he dabbled a little, by writing character stories about friends and classmates. These went down well, even at the tender age of ten, so he continued to write. When he went to secondary school, (age twelve), he was fortunate to have English teachers who were very passionate about literature and they, (Mrs. Wolf and Mrs. Christine Ball) gave him the encouragement to continue.

"Everywhere I go, I make a mental note about the characters I meet and the experiences I have. Even if they are bad. Somehow, it seems to make them less painful once they are down on paper, or should I say, down on the PC. Maybe it is my way of passing pain on. All I can say is that it works for me.

By the time I had left school I had developed my own unique style of writing. Many of my colleagues that read my work were in awe of it. They advised me to take up writing professionally. I would have loved to have done that. If only I had had the confidence."

"Now, after recovering from an almost fatal illness and losing my sight, I continue to write," Henry adds. "Although I am not nearly as determined as I should be, I know that one day my name will end up in print. This is my goal. To be able to write for a living. To do something that my soul has always wanted."

Henry's works include poetry, fiction and fact, as he mentioned above.

Henry also has some works he hopes publishers or an agent may be interested in. If so, please contact Henry via e-mail.

    These current works include:
  1. The VIP
    vipcover.jpg - 51587 Bytes
    This is a factual recollection of the emotions and experiences I had after losing my sight. The book is not a diary. It takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions, feelings and experiences. Dealing with, anger, frustration, isolation, sadness, humour, hysteria and eventual acceptance. It describes the observations made through the long journey of rehabilitation. How there was a need to accept before being accepted. How I dealt with ignorance and embarrassment. How my life became rich again. How to become me again.
  2. Taking The Lead
    This is the sequel to The VIP. It is a factual recollection of the trials and tribulations of becoming mobile again with the use of a Guide Dog. The book is a hilarious look at how I became a Guide Dog Owner. The fun, the fear. The excitement, the dread. The happy, the sad. The benefits and the hardship. It is educational. It is fun. It is sad. It is a must read.
  3. (Untitled - hoping to advertise this as part of a competition. The winner gets to title the book, with all proceeds going to Guide Dogs)
    This is a fictional book, but based on factual training. It is written in the third person as a guide dog puppy. It takes the reader on a journey of a puppy as it goes through the process of becoming a Guide Dog. The reader will feel the love, the fear and excitement as I take them through their paces. They will learn what it feels like to have the responsibility of become a guide for me as a visually impaired person. The audiences will love this book no matter what age and at the same time, they will become more aware of the world of the visually impaired.

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