Stephen May, writer of Life! Death! Prizes! popped up his road and had a cuppa with our author Benjamin Myers. The result of their chat was a little interview about life and writing which Stephen has posted on his blog. Here's a little excerpt:
He's good company. Serious and thoughtful about his work and committed. He writes, he walks, he thinks. Reads, listens to music, watches films. That's pretty much it. Doesn't drink or smoke, commits himself to refining his vision and expressing it. He's impressively dedicated and the work is muscular, powerful and original.
Read the whole thing here: The Second Best Time
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Not the Booker Prize Review
After a nervous wait of a few weeks, we're really pleased with the review for Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers for The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize. We've added it as it appears on The Guardian Website, written by Sam Jordison. Read the original here: http://gu.com/p/3afkm
Not the Booker prize 2012: Pig Iron by Ben Myers
A compulsive tale of a big-hearted north country man contending with many blows, both literal and metaphoric
Since the Not The Booker prize is all about openness, I think you should know right away that I like Ben Myers. Is this a conflict of interest? Arguably. But if it is a conflict, it's one that is played out across the books pages every day. The only difference here is that I'm being honest about it.
As I'm sure you already realise, friends review friends all the time. And if they didn't, literary journalism would have a few problems. Reviewers often become chummy with the people they write about. It's human nature. I became a reviewer because I like books; it follows that I'll probably also like a few of the writers of those books. Should I then refuse to read their books because of that affection? Well, we can have it out in the comments, but first, a bit more explanation:
I first came into contact with Ben years ago, because I liked his sweary prose, as this article (containing the wonderful question "Has anyone ever seen an e-book?") witnesses. I read Ben before I knew him. But since then, we've regularly corresponded, met once, and frequently laughed at slowed down versions of Metallica songs on Facebook. Does this alter the way I'm going to review Pig Iron? Possibly. The thing that gives me pause is wondering whether I'd have been able to write a review for Pig Iron like the one I wrote for Paint This Town Red. I think it would have been difficult. Perhaps I'd have managed it. Perhaps …
Happily, I didn't have to explore that dilemma this time around. I liked the book. And I don't think knowing Ben has influenced my opinion. Not too much, anyway. Maybe I warmed to it more quickly than I might have otherwise. Possibly, also, I felt extra pangs of sympathy because John-John Wisdom, the unfortunate main narrator, is a weird short northerner who's fond of Jack Russell terriers and therefore reminded me of Ben himself. But it was the writing that mattered. The writing.
One more quick personal note before I finally stop talking about myself. I spent part of my early childhood in County Durham, not so far from John-John's home in Pig Iron, and Myers' prose, rich in "mebbes" and "marrers", "nees" and "nowts", "haways" and "shite", tickled my memory. Importantly, it seemed real. John-John and his co-narrator (whom I can't name, since to do so would give away one of the book's successful surprises) speak in a stylised and sometimes strange way: "And that was when I got the weakness on me and I did faint." But it never seems forced or inauthentic.
Better still, I barely registered the unusual voice, after a while. It became part of the texture of John-John's world. Every now and again I was conscious of an appealing bit of yakka: "I've shat bigger jobbies than that lad." Also, a few lovely rhythms: "He began to treat me differently. I was a mother now. A mother who had endured one miscarriage and two births. I was a body that fetched the water and gathered the wood and kept the fires going and cleaned the clothes and the van and scolded the kids and kissed them better and worried about her husband when he disappeared for nights and days." Most of the time, though, I was too immersed in the story to notice what was happening on the surface.
It's hard not to make this story sound like a cross between Snatch andFight Club. John-John is the son of the bare-knuckle King of the Gypsies, Mac Wisdom, whose life we hear about in retrospect from the second narrator, and whose influence weighs heavy on the protagonist as he attempts to rebuild his life after a long stretch in jail. But there's no Brad Pitt here. No Hollywood. John-John's world is ugly. The fighting isn't about pleasure. Or even escape. It's just savage men knocking bells out of each other: blood, guts and pain described in visceral detail:
Mackem's neck tasted warm and bitter and metallic… I loosened for a second then went at him again, nearly dislocating me bloody jaw. There was a crunching sound and me teeth nearly met in the middle and I must have hit some veins or summat because the blood started pouring out of his neck. Human flesh doesn't tear easily. It's noisy stuff.
Things aren't much prettier for John-John when he isn't scrapping. He's forced to live in a pokey, ugly flat on a dangerous estate, where he knows next to no one, and is hounded by a gang of "charvers" whose charm is well-demonstrated in their leader's announcement that "I'll put you in the fucking ovens where you and your lot belong."
Even so, there are moments of relief. John-John is consistently amusing, a master of the sardonic aside ("'I bet you like hearing the old tales, lad'. Like a punch in the cock, I'm muttering.") He's also big-hearted and warm. Some of the book's best passages come in the descriptions of the quiet fun John-John has tootling around the countryside ("the green cathedral") in an ice-cream van, falling in love with a very unsuitable local girl and fussing over his pet dog Coughdrop. John-John is a winning presence. And of course, that makes his catalogue of misfortunes and persecution all the more upsetting; his attempts to right those many wrongs all the more gripping.
Caught up as I was, I did wonder sometimes if Myers pushed things too far. Towards the end, especially, things went a bit nuts. Imagine Hunger Games with an uglier cast, genuine violence and less chance of redemption – but also fewer loud bangs to distract you from the essential daftness. Now and again, I had doubts, but was always carried through by John-John's force of personality and righteous anger at his and Coughdrop's oppressors. What's more, just when I thought things were about to go right over the top, Myers swerved away gracefully. The ending came in a sudden flash of gold and beauty. To say more would be to give it away; suffice to say, you'll like it when you get there and it's a journey worth making. This is another quality entrant on our shortlist.
Monday, 17 September 2012
NOD by Adrian Barnes
Ben Myers, author of PIG IRON says about NOD, 'Think WARRIORS, the film, scripted by JG Ballard with excerpts from Ray Bradbury.' KING CROW author Michael Stewart says the first chapter of NOD is one of the best openings of any book he's ever read. He went on to say he loved every single page of it.
I know they are both Bluemoose authors, but we haven't paid them anything and they have their own minds; that's why they came to an Indy in the first place. Just think if Mr Amis hadn't pursued the dollar, he'd have won the Booker by now! Heaven forfend.
We're flying Adrian Barnes over from Vancouver for the launch and a series of events and signings at Independent booksellers and Waterstones. Adrian will also be giving lectures at a couple of Universities too. More of that nearer the time.
Now its time to send off review copies to the great and supposed good of what was FLEET STREET. The broadsheets in the Metropolis. Scott pack, ex chief fiction buyer at Waterstones and now publisher and blogger at meandmybigmouth, said of one of our previous titles, THE ART OF BEING DEAD, that it wouldn't get any reviews in the literary press because 'The lit editors don't look further than the ends of their noses.' THE ART OF BEING DEAD is now a set text on the MA course in Contemporary literature at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Now that there are three books from small independents on The Man Booker shortlist, perhaps they won't bin all books from publishers whose colophon they don't recognise. Hopefully they've learned their lesson and realise that all the exciting literary fiction these days is coming from small Independents.
Tired of McEwan, Barnes, Faulks et al. and all those sixty-something males that get all the review coverage? Yep, me too. The Indies are coming "darn sarf" to rattle the cages of the literary establishment and in NOD by Adrian Barnes I really believe we have a title that will stir things up a tad.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Moose at Large
It's really important for us as a small independent publisher to get out and about as often as possible and spread the word. We like to meet as many readers and budding writers as we can. We do this for several reasons. Obviously, we want to make people aware of Bluemoose books and the brilliant titles we have to offer, we may also be lucky enough to find our next author, but equally we want to let people know about what we are trying to achieve with Bluemoose Books, our experience as an independent publisher and the state of the publishing industry as a whole.
We were recently invited by the Lincoln Pheonix Writers to talk about the Bluemoose "way" and had a great evening meeting enthusiastic readers and writers and sharing our experiences with them. Thanks to everyone there for the warm welcome!
On 22nd September, Kevin is attending another event at Macclesfield Library. This is Cheshire East Libraries' annual celebration of books and reading. There is a full programme including talks by writers and other publishers. Kevin will be talking about his experience as a publisher but also exploring the issues regarding new technologies versus traditional methods of publishing.
For more information see here: Latest Library News or follow @CEClibraries #MaccBooks
The event starts at 12.30pm on Saturday 22nd September. Kevin will be talking from 3.30 - 4pm.
For more information and tickets, contact Macclesfield Library on 01625 374000
We were recently invited by the Lincoln Pheonix Writers to talk about the Bluemoose "way" and had a great evening meeting enthusiastic readers and writers and sharing our experiences with them. Thanks to everyone there for the warm welcome!
On 22nd September, Kevin is attending another event at Macclesfield Library. This is Cheshire East Libraries' annual celebration of books and reading. There is a full programme including talks by writers and other publishers. Kevin will be talking about his experience as a publisher but also exploring the issues regarding new technologies versus traditional methods of publishing.
For more information see here: Latest Library News or follow @CEClibraries #MaccBooks
The event starts at 12.30pm on Saturday 22nd September. Kevin will be talking from 3.30 - 4pm.
For more information and tickets, contact Macclesfield Library on 01625 374000
Saturday, 8 September 2012
The Hardest Climb - Kindle Edition
If this book were only about Alistair's climbing achievements it would be fascinating in itself; conquering the highest peaks on seven continents on the first attempts is certainly a feat of human endurance. But Alistair is also a medical anomaly. He suffered a life-threatening brain heamorrhage, but his high-altitude hobby had stimulated the blood vessel network in his brain in such a way as to save his life.
Part adventure story, part tale of returning from the brink, the hardest climb being the return to health, this is a story of remarkable human achievement and perseverance. Forward by Sir Chris Bonnington.
We are delighted to be able to offer our readers this book now in digital format for Kindle. You can buy it here. The Hardest Climb - Alistair Sutcliffe
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Not the Booker Prize Nomination
Can we possibly do it two years in a row?
Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers has been shortlisted for the 2012 Not the Booker Prize run by The Guardian. We had outstanding success with this prize last year when our book, King Crow by Michael Stewart, won the prestigious mug/trophy. Here is the full list of shortlisted books:
The Notable Brain Of Maximilian Ponder by JW Ironmonger
Paint The Town Red by AJ Kirby
Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May
Tales From The Mall by Ewan Morrison
Pig Iron by Ben Myers
The Revelations by Alex Preston
The Casablanca Case by Simon Swift
One of the books is reviewed each week and at the end of the process voting is opened to Guardian readers who have previously left a review of the book they are voting for. We're not yet sure when voting will start, but will keep you up to date. The winner is announced on 15th October.
Pig Iron is due to be reviewed some time during the week commencing 17th September. Watch this space for more information.
Read more here at The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize page
Big thanks must go to all our readers and supporters of Bluemoose Books who took the trouble and time to vote Pig Iron onto the shortlist. It would be amazing to win this prize again, a great feat for a small publisher like us, but let's be honest, it is a fabulous book, even if we say so ourselves!!
Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers has been shortlisted for the 2012 Not the Booker Prize run by The Guardian. We had outstanding success with this prize last year when our book, King Crow by Michael Stewart, won the prestigious mug/trophy. Here is the full list of shortlisted books:
The Notable Brain Of Maximilian Ponder by JW Ironmonger
Paint The Town Red by AJ Kirby
Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May
Tales From The Mall by Ewan Morrison
Pig Iron by Ben Myers
The Revelations by Alex Preston
The Casablanca Case by Simon Swift
One of the books is reviewed each week and at the end of the process voting is opened to Guardian readers who have previously left a review of the book they are voting for. We're not yet sure when voting will start, but will keep you up to date. The winner is announced on 15th October.
Pig Iron is due to be reviewed some time during the week commencing 17th September. Watch this space for more information.
Read more here at The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize page
Big thanks must go to all our readers and supporters of Bluemoose Books who took the trouble and time to vote Pig Iron onto the shortlist. It would be amazing to win this prize again, a great feat for a small publisher like us, but let's be honest, it is a fabulous book, even if we say so ourselves!!
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers
Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers was published at the end of May and has had a great response from critics and readers alike. For an outline of the story see our previous post below. Here's a flavour of some of the write ups the book has received. For a full list of press cuttings go to our page Publicity about our Books
"Myers's poetic vernacular brims with that quality most sadly lost in the Thatcher years – humanity."
Cathi Unsworth in The Guardian
"This is yet another singular portrait of an outsider from Myers. And delivered through authentic characterisation, a monstrously compelling plot, and frequent humour – a rare combination of such successfully crafted elements – Pig Iron deserves to find itself on many a reading list, if not the National Curriculum."
Declan Tan for 3:am Magazine
"Benjamin Myers’s influences are clear — David Peace’s northern brutalism is evident and there are suggestions of Salinger and Golding but Pig Iron’s savage vision is his alone. Pig Iron is an utterly compelling book because the twin desolations of blighted sink estate culture and the emotional alienation of the main character are evoked unrelentingly and the grim conclusion is almost inevitable."
Steve Ely for Morning Star
"Myers's poetic vernacular brims with that quality most sadly lost in the Thatcher years – humanity."
Cathi Unsworth in The Guardian
"This is yet another singular portrait of an outsider from Myers. And delivered through authentic characterisation, a monstrously compelling plot, and frequent humour – a rare combination of such successfully crafted elements – Pig Iron deserves to find itself on many a reading list, if not the National Curriculum."
Declan Tan for 3:am Magazine
"Benjamin Myers’s influences are clear — David Peace’s northern brutalism is evident and there are suggestions of Salinger and Golding but Pig Iron’s savage vision is his alone. Pig Iron is an utterly compelling book because the twin desolations of blighted sink estate culture and the emotional alienation of the main character are evoked unrelentingly and the grim conclusion is almost inevitable."
Steve Ely for Morning Star
Sorry for the absence!
After a slight blogging sabbatical, we are back on track!
Check back here over the coming days for news, author events and other stuff. Thanks for your patience while we've been gone. We've been working harder than ever at Bluemoose and look forward to telling you all about what we've been up to and what we have planned for the next few months.
Check back here over the coming days for news, author events and other stuff. Thanks for your patience while we've been gone. We've been working harder than ever at Bluemoose and look forward to telling you all about what we've been up to and what we have planned for the next few months.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
PIG IRON by Benjamin Myers
Bluemoose editors are in the final throes of finishing the edit for PIG IRON by Benjamin Myers, which we'll be publishing on May 31st 2012.
PIG IRON is a beautifully written book by a very gifted writer.
THE STORY.
John-John wants to escape his past. But the legacy of brutality left by his bare knuckle boxer father, self-styled King of the Gypsies, Mac Wisdom, looms large over his life. John-John's new job as an ice cream van man, should offer freedom, but instead pulls him into the dark underbelly of life in a northern town where his family name is mud.
As John-John attempts tp trade prejudice, parole officers and local gangs for 'the green cathedral- - the rural landscape that provides solace for him - the story of Mac's rise and spectacularly bloody fall unravels.
PIG IRON is the story of a traveller who hasn't travelled; a young man fighting for his very survival.
PIG IRON is a beautifully written book by a very gifted writer.
THE STORY.
John-John wants to escape his past. But the legacy of brutality left by his bare knuckle boxer father, self-styled King of the Gypsies, Mac Wisdom, looms large over his life. John-John's new job as an ice cream van man, should offer freedom, but instead pulls him into the dark underbelly of life in a northern town where his family name is mud.
As John-John attempts tp trade prejudice, parole officers and local gangs for 'the green cathedral- - the rural landscape that provides solace for him - the story of Mac's rise and spectacularly bloody fall unravels.
PIG IRON is the story of a traveller who hasn't travelled; a young man fighting for his very survival.
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Antler TV
Good morrow. Have been resting the antlers. A lot has happened since I last posted. KING CROW by Michael Stewart won The Guardian's NOT THE BOOKER and we have sold the rights to this book and GABRIEL'S ANGEL to Russian Publisher AZBOOKA-ATTICUS, owned by the chap who now owns Waterstone's, Alexander Mamut. Penguin Books USA are reading KING CROW too, with a view to publish, as are several European publishers. Alistair Sutcliffe, author of THE HARDEST CLIMB was invited to Buckingham Palace and there is now a Bluemoose book inside the throne room. We have full CCTV access and audio contact withing the palace. I will of course keep you updated about royal events before they happen throughout the year. Antler TV will be fully operational by January 1st. WATCH THIS SPACE.
This, and my Republican views has nothing to do with Philips' recent cardio thoracic difficulties. Several hundred thousand feathered friends, relieved that their festive tormentor spent Boxing day on his back and not armed with several shotguns, will be involved in a celebratory murmaration and fly past of the palace on NEW YEARS EVE. I am now reliable informed that The corgis too had a restful Saturnalia
Alistair was on MIDWEEK on the 21st December and sales went through the roof on Amazon. 39th bestselling biography and into the top 200 bestselling books too. You can also buy ANTHILLS AND STARS on KINDLE. I've got into bed with the 'A' beast,and all our titles will be avialable by electrickery by the end of the year.
This, and my Republican views has nothing to do with Philips' recent cardio thoracic difficulties. Several hundred thousand feathered friends, relieved that their festive tormentor spent Boxing day on his back and not armed with several shotguns, will be involved in a celebratory murmaration and fly past of the palace on NEW YEARS EVE. I am now reliable informed that The corgis too had a restful Saturnalia
Alistair was on MIDWEEK on the 21st December and sales went through the roof on Amazon. 39th bestselling biography and into the top 200 bestselling books too. You can also buy ANTHILLS AND STARS on KINDLE. I've got into bed with the 'A' beast,and all our titles will be avialable by electrickery by the end of the year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)