A talented man: we pay our respects to the much-loved artist

Mardibooks has recently received some very sad news that one of our writers, Peter Ball, passed away in mid-January.

Peter was a great supporter of Mardibooks, providing exposure on his radio show for various writers as well as MCing at our last open mic event in St Albans. Furthermore, his two books published by Mardibooks, ‘A Steppe in Time’ and ‘Dragon in Post’, were immensely popular, consequently gaining him a large readership.

‘crowds were hugely appreciative of his work’

Peter was without fault when it came to verbalizing his ideas. ‘A Steppe in Time’, his first novel, focussed on themes of power and control, rather like his collection of poems and illustrations in ‘Dragon in Post’. Both are hugely enjoyable reads which tackle politics, the interplay between man and ideas, and also the idiosyncrasies of human nature.

In addition to being a satirical novelist and radio presenter, Peter Ball was a performing poet, lyricist, musician, and artist. As a result, Peter regularly recited his poetry in the back rooms of bars, captivating crowds that were hugely appreciative of his incredible work.

‘Mardibooks would like to extend our thoughts to his family and friends’

Most noteworthy was his successful radio show, where he would interview writers, musicians and publishers about their work.

An extraordinarily talented man who will be missed by many. Mardibooks would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

Dragon in her Blood by Peter Ball

My friend Maori, wandering free,
Listens to no-one, not even me.
She wears her habit, on her arm
Likes to think it’s a good luck charm.
Yes, it’s the needle, but not what you think,
this is the kind that shoots up ink.

She got dragon in her blood and fire in her soul.

An intricate tale, traced on her skin,
A ripple of muscles shows where we’ve been.
Nerves of steel, deep underground.
Bones grow old, with hardly a sound.
She follows her heart, goes her own way
Listens to no-one, what can I say?

She got dragon in her blood and fire in her soul.

Mystery and magic are a myth these days,
But I believe what Maori says.
Life and death, it’s epic flow,
How rivers twist and mountains grow
We live in a cradle of time and space,
This is Maori’s tattoo space.

She got dragon in her blood and fire in her soul.

Maori hears the sighing sea,
feels the pulse of a growing tree.
She stands in the shadow of the fear we make
Cannot believe the things we take.
She wears her habit on her arm,
Hopes it will be a good luck charm.

She got dragon in her blood and fire in her soul.

Links to ‘Steppe in Time’ and ‘Dragon in Post’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steppe-Time-Peter-Ball-ebook/dp/B00LRZ5OEE

https://www.amazon.com.au/Dragon-Post-Peter-Ball-ebook/dp/B00LCB6DFC