Rob's First Novel Available Now!

'I look at the note I've left. All that's on the paper is a name: Matty Doyle. There could have been others, but Matty Doyle was the worst.'

Matty Doyle's Monster will be published on Monday 17th November 2008.

Buy it now at Amazon.co.uk

Listen to extracts from the book

To celebrate the release of the new book, we would like to offer the chance to listen to The Boy In The Photograph monologue in full below. You can also watch a video of the entire performance by navigating to The Presentation page and choosing to launch the pop-up window.

Written and Performed by Robert Higgs. Recorded at Paper Stone Studio, Nottingham on October 29th 2008. www.paper-stone.co.uk

PLEASE BE AWARE: This recording contains some strong language.

I can still hear the smack of knuckle on bone, the words spat at me like bullets, the air crackling with aggression, the bully spitting and snarling, performing for the crowd, the desire for acceptance and pain of approval witheld. These are my memories from school.

I was first bullied aged five by a gang of boys at infant school. They would daily threaten, abuse and control me. As I grew up bullying followed me from school to school. Their words became my thoughts. I learned to bully myself. I withdrew from everyone. Each day became a test of endurance. Each person became a threat. There was no answer. Telling someone would only make it worse. They were right - I was useless. Worthless. I deserved it. I was better off dead. The bullying would never stop.

I was wrong.

I did make it stop. But only once I understood the problem: The techniques bullies use, the mindset of the bullied, the mentality you must develop, the skills you must practice to leave both the 'victim state' and bullying behind.

Bullying is repetitive, ugly and frightening. I still remember how it felt.

My work is in helping bullied children build their confidence, help bullies to change their behaviour, and help children who stand passively by to make a stand.

Bullying is an ugly trait of human nature, it is learned behaviour. But people can change.

Robert Higgs.

Photograph of Rob with Adam and John Skillen

On the 6th August 2005, Rob conducted two anti-bullying seminars for writer and self protection expert John Skillen at the John Skillen Martial Arts & Fitness Centre, Loughborough.

The seminars were a great day, and lots of people came along. Time was spent training the many youngsters who attended in confidence building and assertiveness techniques, all of which went down extremely well. John's web address is www.johnskillenmaf.com

For all booking and media enquiries please contact us direct at bookings@roberthiggs.co.uk or rob@roberthiggs.co.uk

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