Criticism is part of being in the marketplace. If you can't take a bit of criticism, you shouldn't bother publishing a book.

As suburbs go, Bromley's not bad. But as David Bowie and Hanif Kureishi have observed, you do want to get out of there quickly.

It's true, some senior Hungarian writers are not known for their laughter. There is a strong Germanic influence - an attitude that if it's enjoyable it can't possibly be literature.

As an author, I realise, you're on your own. You have to do everything you can to help The Book. If I make sure people know it's out there, they can make up their own minds whether they want to read it.

New York City has fantastic restaurants and, unlike London, a lot of the best restaurants are relatively cheap.

I don't take much notice of reviews now - obviously you'd like to have straight worship but you're never going to get that.

Ultimately, it's about the quality of the writing whatever style you are writing.