Memoirs of a Master Forger

William Heaney

Oct 2008 · Hachette UK

About this ebook

A beautifully written account of a life lived on the edge - of the law, of love, of sobriety and of madness

William is a dissolute book-forger. A talented writer in his own right he would rather scribble poems anonymously for an asian friend (who is becoming increasingly successful as a result), and create forgeries of Jane Austen first editions to sell to gullible collectors. He's not all bad. The money from the forgeries goes straight to homeless hostel and William's crimes don't really hurt anyone.

And there are reasons William hasn't amounted to more. He did something he was ashamed of when he was a student, he drinks far too much and he can't commit to any relationships. Oh and he sees demons.

Shadowy figures at the shoulder of everyone around him (except the woman who runs the hostel, she remains untouched), waiting for a moment's weakness. Or is just that William can see the suffering of the world? And then an extraordinary woman, who may just be able to save him from the world's suffering, walks into his life.

This is William's own story. But who can believe a master forger?

About the author

William Heaney lost his twin brother at birth, an event which he says 'shaped him'. Born and brought up in London he claims to have studied at Oxford, after which he played bass guitar in a rock band touring Germany and the Far East. The band had some success in Japan but broke up after three years on the road and a bad experience in Osaka. He then spent several years working for a project with homeless people in London. He lives in London but escapes at week-ends to a Leicestershire cottage with his girlfriend, who is a successful concert pianist. His two daughters from his previous marriage are currently at university "wasting their time" he says. Now working for a government agency, he is a discount wine connoisseur who doesn't like to make recommendations for fear that others might deplete his favourite stock. Inherently shy, he is unwilling to talk about the 'evil rock and roll years'.