There’s no short cut to writing a bestseller.

BEING a writer is a great way to live, but not such a great way of making a living. Unless you’re Jeffrey Archer or JK Rowling, forget it — you won’t ever be in the limited edition queue for a five-grand handbag.

The End is Nigh For Paperbacks. It could be the title of another novel by Irish crime writer John Connolly.

Motorsport boss Bernie Ecclestone appeared at a High Court trial in London today to deny allegations that he made a ”corrupt bargain” to stay at the top of Formula 1 racing.

The Wikileaks founder is being sheltered by a nation that cracks down on journalists, but Ecuador is no stranger to facing down world powers, writes Dan Buckley

The worlds of arts, politics and journalism have led tributes to Irish novelist Maeve Binchy, who has died at the age of 72.

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

Shamed former Labour MP David Chaytor was starting an 18-month jail sentence tonight after admitting he fiddled his parliamentary expenses.

HUNDREDS of people in Britain contaminated with infected blood will not receive higher compensation payments to match those in Ireland, the British government announced yesterday.

Actor Christopher Cazenove died after a “valiant battle” with septicaemia, his family said.

CONTROVERSIAL author Jeffrey Archer delivered the keynote address at the Thomas Crosbie Holdings annual business dinner in the company’s South Mall headquarters last night.

“YES, I said yes, I will yes,” — er, actually, I won’t bother. I’ll just pretend to have read it instead.

A LEADING consumer watchdog has warned that retail prices will remain high in Ireland unless shoppers start voting with their feet.

THE death of former building company director James Gogarty on Thursday has made it less likely that anybody will ever face a criminal prosecution for corruption uncovered by the Planning Tribunal.

A PRISONER wants to get out of Limerick jail and do a runner.

BY Wednesday morning Mick O’Dwyer’s Laois selection of the night before had more holes picked in it than the plot of a Jeffrey Archer novel.

Sir Mark Thatcher left court a South African court today expressing confidence he had cleared away suspicions he had any role in a foiled coup plot featuring wealthy European financiers, soldiers of fortune and an African dictatorship.

Stars from the world of comedy paid tribute tonight to entertainer Bob Monkhouse after he lost his fight against cancer.

A lawyer who claims to have given legal advice to some of the world’s most notorious men today said he was ready to defend Saddam Hussein.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern issued a rallying call to Fianna Fáil members last night as several Cork TDs denied there was a conspiracy to overthrow him as party leader.

Glamour girl Jordan is top choice to replace David Blaine after he ends his stint isolated in a plastic box, a survey found today.

HE is the man who has been labelled the India-rubber-ball of British public life because of his unerring ability to bounce back from personal disasters which would have crippled and possibly destroyed most people.

BRITISH millionaire writer and disgraced peer of the realm Jeffrey Archer was freed on parole yesterday after serving half of a four-year jail term over a scandal involving sex, lies and high-profile politics.

Jeffrey Archer has been released from jail after serving two years and two days of a four-year sentence.

Disgraced British peer Jeffrey Archer was expected to leave prison today after serving two years and two days of his four-year jail term.

Jeffrey Archer will be freed from jail next month after being granted parole at the earliest possible date, it was announced today.

CHRISTINE Hamilton, wife of former British Tory MP, Neil Hamilton, broke down and was “terrified” when police arrested her for sexually assaulting a woman, a court has heard.

Have I Got News For You star Paul Merton said losing Angus Deayton as the show’s host was “not a big deal” – and admitted he never liked him anyway.

A PRISONER who ran a marathon around a jail yard for charity has received financial support from one of Britain’s most famous inmates.

IF you listen closely enough, you should be able to make out the angry words above the din: a cacophony of female voices raised to the rafters with one common message for their menfolk.

SHE’S got the looks and the body, and the Princess of Pop even knows her way around a tube of glue and some glitter.

JEFFREY ARCHER must stay on his best behaviour for six months or be punished for breaching prison rules with his diary on life behind bars, it emerged last night.

A defiant Mary Archer today said her husband was pleased his controversial diaries were being serialised, despite fears they breach prison rules and could lengthen his sentence.

News that Jeffrey Archer is to publish a book on his time at London's Belmarsh jail has come in for wide criticism.

A warder at North Sea Camp prison in Britain has resigned after it emerged he had lunch with Jeffrey Archer during the disgraced Tory peer's day release from jail, the UK Prison Service said today.

The real-life Jeffrey Archer is taking a back stage role at the theatre, but an account of his life will soon be seen in a TV drama.

JEFFREY Archer was last night returning to his prison cell following his first day of work at a theatre on day release from jail.

LORD Jeffrey Archer today launches a courtroom bid for freedom a year into his four-year jail sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Soft drinks giant Schweppes has defended its controversial advertising campaign showing provocative images of lookalike stars caught off-guard.

Jeffrey Archer has been transferred to an open prison in rural Lincolnshire.

James Archer, the youngest son of Jeffrey Archer, has been banned from trading in stocks in London after a two-year investigation into a share-dealing scandal.

The man whose revelations brought about the downfall of Lord Archer has said he plans to write a book about his experiences with the disgraced peer.