BOOK BANNED DUE to LURID REVELATIONS Submitted By: Know the Score Books Thursday, 24 May 2007

BOOK BANNED DUE TO LURID REVELATIONS Submitted by: Know the Score Books Thursday, 24 May 2007

Paul Smith's newly published autobiography, 'WASTED?' has already caused quite a stir. In its first week it has been banned by his former employers, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, due to the lurid details of his career at the club and been the subject of several top notch reviews. The book tells the story of Smith's devil-may-care sporting career which saw him live the high life whilst winning trophies for Warwickshire, then plumb the depths, before emerging a new man, having lost his job, income, family and self respect, to work with inner city youths in the UK and Los Angeles to help them avoid the mistakes he made and avoid lives involving drugs, guns and crime. It is a modern morality tale which speaks to a far wider audience than that which would normally read a sporting autobiography. BRIEF SYNOPSIS 'WASTED?' is the story of how cricketer Paul Smith’s life fell apart after he received a drugs ban in 1997, which effectively ended his career. He was made a scapegoat and still believes he was singled-out while several other, favoured players were allowed to continue their careers. Paul lost his house, his marriage, his children and, of course, his job. How does a man come back from that? In this extraordinary autobiography, Paul Smith (a native of the north east of England) tells the story of the rock star lifestyle of a top cricketer, who produced Man of the Match performances at Lord’s to help Warwickshire to an unprecedented domestic treble of trophies, which set him on the slippery slope to oblivion. He then describes the torment of being an outcast, losing everything and facing the stark choice of how to go on. This is a modern morality tale with no holds barred and no quarters given as Paul reveals the incredible sexual attraction that goes with being a sports star, his descent into drug taking, the hero-worship that fans gave him after his match-winning performances made Warwickshire the ‘Manchester United of Cricket’ and how he struggled to cope with this heady and potent mix of adulation and demands on his time, body and emotional energy. And how, eventually his life fell apart. But Paul found redemption by using his own incredible experiences to inspire inner city kids in both the UK and the USA to reject modern temptations such as drugs, violence and guns. His work is testament to how he has turned his own remarkable life around. He now works for the Prince’s Trust in Britain and with downtown youths in LA in tough, violent districts, where he is the only non-black allowed. And his methods of speaking to the kids about how he nearly ruined his life are working. Nearly 50% fewer of those he spends time with in LA carry guns. This book affirms that it is possible for a bad apple to turn good again with mental strength, positivity and a hell of a lot of honesty. PRAISE FOR ‘WASTED?’

Page 1 'To say that this is not a conventional cricketing autobiography would be something of an understatement - the standard memoir has a lower sub-machine gun count...there are lots of plums to pull out...a worthy read from a publishing house who are starting to demonstrate a good line in unusual cricket books. Smith has worked hard to sort himself out and deserves support in the good work he is doing.' - Andrew Baker, Daily Telegraph ‘What a book! Whether it sells one copy or a million copies, I’ve enjoyed it as much as any book I’ve read… It’s such an honest book, a wonderful book.’ - Daz Hale, BBC Radio WM ‘A great read’ - Jamie Reid, BBC Radio Kent Paul Smith's PR tour gathers apace. Having already appeared on Kerrang Radio, BBC Radio Kent and Daz Hale's evening sports show on BBC Radio WM, plus having an interview featured on the Guardian's website www.guardianunlimited.com, Paul will this weekend be the subject of the Sunday Times's main sports feature. In an interview conducted by Anderw Longmore, Paul will discuss drug taking in sport, how he rebuilt his life after it was decimated by his ban and the incredible work he now does with kids in Birmingham, Nottingham and Los Angeles for charities and the Prince's Trust. Plus his thoughts on the club he helped bring unprecedented success to with the 1994 treble, Warwickshire, banning his book. He will also be appearing in the following places in the next two weeks. Sat 26 May 9-11am Gabby LoganShow on BBC Radio Five Live Tue 29 May 1-3pm Talksport Radio Hawksbee and Jacobs show Wed 30 May Signing event at Waterstones, 24-26 High Street, Birmingham at 6.30pm. Ticket only. Phone 0121 633 4353 to book. Paul will also be answering press questions at this event. Fri 1 June Major feature to go live on www.cricinfo.com, written by Will Luke Plus Major feature in the June issue of Spin cricket magazine, written by Duncan Steer, editor. The book will also be reviewed in the June issue of The Wisden Cricketer. He will also feature in a future issue of Viz magazine. The foreword to the book is written by his friend, Viz creator, Simon Donald.

Page 2 Further PR events to be advised as arranged Requests for interviews, signed copies, competition copies, jpeg of jacket or other enquiries to do with 'WASTED?' should be directed through the Know The Score Books office. 'WASTED?' by Paul Smith ISBN 9781905449453 RRP: £16.99 Available Now Trade Orders from Orca Book Services Tel: 01202 665432 Fax: 01202 666219 [email protected] Customer orders from www.knowthescorebooks.com or all good bookshops Simon Lowe Managing Director Know The Score Books Ltd 118 Alcester Road Studley Warwickshire B80 7NT Tel: 01527 454482 Fax: 01527 452183 Mobile: 07976 795570 Email: [email protected] www.knowthescorebooks.com

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