Leopold Borstinski's Blog, page 35

American Booker Winner, Shock!

The complete and utter excitement event of the year has been and gone with the Man Booker Prize. And even though it is British competition, another American has won it – again.

With the change in rules a couple of years ago, eligibility was expanded to include those not born in the UK. Put another way, just at the time when the country was voting “overwhelmingly” for Brexit (Theresa May’s word, not mine), the Booker committee was opening the book prize winning shores to immigrant sentences. Oh the horror.

Does it matter? Doubt it. Why do I mention it? Because of the irony I’ve just described and the fact that there is a deeper discrimination going on than ignoring the divide created by the Atlantic Ocean. Isn’t it time that self-published authors of quality literature were also allowed to compete on the same playing field. Or do you think the Man Booker is actually just a vehicle for traditional publishing companies to plan some marketing activities.

Gosh.

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Genre writers aren’t muck

Wonderful recent story covering the perils of talking about literature. This time we have an author saying genre literature is rubbish with two problems.

First, the utterer is a genre writer and so she’s urinated on her own chips and second, she received a barrage of invective from genre writers noting their work wasn’t all cack actually.

Wonderful and entertaining. Thank you, Philippa Gregory. You made me laugh at you and I’d never heard of you until I read the article. Marvelous.

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Heist update: sales and sequel

Thought I’d give a quick update on what’s been going on with The Heist.

Sales have kicked off well since its launch in September and the book has been downloaded over 1000 times. So an enormous than you to everyone who has been kind enough to show any interest in my work, quite frankly. And a polite but firm handshake to all those who have dug into their wallets and paid for the book too. The firm handshake – as opposed to a hug – is due to my Britishness and I don’t know any reader well enough to high-five them.

I’ve also been kicking off some online marketing activities. September and some October has involved Instafreebie promotions. During this time, I’ve gone wide (selling outside the Amazon Kindle platform) but despite being asked to do this by potential readers, I have only generated sales on the Kindle. So, I’ve decided to restrict my attention to Amazon. This means I’m about to start an advertising campaign which will last several months.

Finally, I’d like to say I’m still writing the sequel. Two weeks ago I managed to close off a writer’s block for The Getaway and get back into proper writing mode. Unless more goes wrong I can’t predict, it should be available before the end of the year and hopefully early December. But I make no promises.

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Watertight Kindle: woohoo!

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new gadget out on the market. This sounds the best news for those who read in the bath and don’t want to get electrocuted (terms and conditions apply, I’m sure there’s a website for details).

Why mention this? Well, to be honest I read ebooks on my iPad and use the Kindle software so it is of no interest to me at all. What I find interesting instead is that, as ever with new product adverts covered a newer version of an existing product, implicit in the advert is the simple fact that the older models leak like a sieve and are destroyed by being dunked in a bucket of water.

Of course, I am not expecting people to test this out on their current devices but it does make me wonder how many read in the bath. Just saying…

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How to write proper

Wonderful piece of advice available from The Guardian – this time about the ordinary art of writing. The writer walks us through various tips and techniques for using writing in ordinary circumstances – like producing a letter of complaint.

As a writer naturally I’m interested in any article along those lines. I came for the advice and stayed for the clarity, which is close to how most readers approach a book. After all, as far as I am concerned the whole point of being a writer is to communicate ideas to readers. No readers, no cry – as it were. Apologies Mr Marley.

The other thing which truly pains me is the thought I write in a vacuum. Words exist to be read, not just to be written. Gulp.

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Grammar Police: Watch out!

Another fine article reminding us all that language has rules and we should follow them. This time, the alert is offered up by The Guardian.

The first thing to say is that there is an irony for the broadsheet, whose nickname has been The Grauniad due to its propensity for typographic errors, to be dispensing tips on correct spelling and grammar. However, I would argue that over the last decade The Grauniad has evolved into The Guardian, so let’s not mention that again.

Secondly, I threw this article into the mix because as a writer I spend a chunk of my time trying to work out what to say – and how to say it in as clear and concise a manner as possible (I allow myself to meander more in this blog). My past experience as a financial journalist, and then as a financial technology journalist, means I have deep training in the dark art of word manipulation.

The task is made all that much more difficult because you need to know your audience intimately (no, not that way) in order to best communicate with it. From knowing people’s countries of origin (native English speaker vs second language, UK vs US English) to understanding what level of English is appropriate (for a 20 year old, 30 year old or 50 year old), these factors impact how I write.

The nature of novel writing prevents you from knowing the answers to these questions because you do not know who in the future will read your work. At best, you might know who has read something else you’ve written in the past. There is an essential disconnectedness between writer and reader and it comes into stark relief when we talk about grammar.

I was hoping this was going to be more optimistic when I started this post, but I was wrong. Hey ho.

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British Secret Service: Smiley vs Bond

The thought has flashed through my mind on more than one occasion as to whether George Smiley or James Bond were better approximations of real-life in the British Secret Service. And it turns out, I wasn’t alone.

Given that Smiley is a downbeat, process-driven pinhead, the conclusion is hardly stunning but the novel version of Bond at least had a crippling backstory worthy of any of today’s TV crime-busting detectives. So, according to a bloke from the British Secret Service, Bond had too many bullets and didn’t follow any rules. Sure thing.

What makes Bond a great hero is precisely the fact that he travels round the world intent on achieving his outcome and he might regret his actions but that never stops him doing his thing. I believe that trope makes him the successful character he undoubtedly is.

In contrast, Smiley knows the rules and follows them, doggedly getting to his goal despite the oppressive nature of the British public school life which drags him down with every step on his journey. And that trope is what makes him the fictional giant he undoubtedly is.

In conclusion: yeah, thought so – but an enjoyable journey to reach this non-conclusion. Nice.

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Crooks, Outlaws and Gangsters: Boots Time!

Here’s a recommended place for you free book hounds. The Heist is in there but there are over two dozen other titles of zero cost reading.

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Boot filling alert: many genres available

October brings a fresh collection of boot filling bounty from The Prolific Reader. Get those stockings stuffed with sensational reading stuff.

Enjoy!

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Tramp says no to sexists

Here’s a story that may or may not grind your gears: the owners of an Irish publishing house (Tramp Press) is refusing to publish any books submitted by sexists who start their query letters with ‘Dear Sirs’ or say they don’t read books by women, according to The Guardian newspaper.

First of all, I have no problem whatsoever with people getting consequences for their actions and Sarah Davis-Goff and Lisa Coen are taking a very reasonable stand against those Neanderthals who can’t look at their web site and see they are female – as if their names aren’t a big enough clue in themselves.

Second, and I know this is so misplaced and churlish but I can’t resist: is there no sense of irony detectable when an over-represented group wields its power? We have previously commented on research showing how white women are disproportionately in situ in publishing companies.

Thirdly, I know they have a point and I am entirely supportive of their position so don’t give me a hard time. Okay?!?

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