Bring it on, Wikileaks, says author

JUST when public figures all over the world are ducking for cover from Wikileaks, an Australian author is saying: "Pick on me, pick on me."

John Martin, who wrote the satirical novel Major BS: A Top Secret Mission, says he made a tactical error by putting a warning on the back cover of the book.

It says: "Unfortunately, unless you have a top-level security clearance you probably can't read this book."

"The back cover was meant to be a JOKE, people. Satire. You weren't supposed to take it seriously for goodness sake," Martin now laments.

"You were meant to read the bloody book - not be responsible citizens. Contrary to what you might think, loose lips do not sink funny novels; closed eyes do."

The book started its life as a print-on-demand print-and-ink book but has recently been converted into an ebook for Kindle with Amazon - and Martin is kicking himself for what he calls a miscalculation.

"My only hope now for some exposure is to be outed by Wikileaks. Bring it on Mr Assange, I say. Please."