It’s been a pretty long layoff from the blog. As with the previous time I had to give an account of myself, I’m glad to say that my silence is largely to do with extreme busy-ness, rather than the alternative explanations (retired, dead). In short, I have been reading books and promoting a book (mine).
Reading: as I mentioned before, I am judging the Costa Book Award, which means I have around forty first novels to get through. So far I’ve read about four good ones, three average, two bad. I’m now reading a really excellent one. The results of all this study will eventually come out in about November or something. As you can imagine, it’s been quite an experience.
Now: my book. ‘The Knot’. We’re getting close to the time when I give away some copies of the book on this very blog, via some sort of contrived but loveable competition like with ‘Eleven’. If you’re happy just buying it in the shops – and I for one would be happy if you did that – it comes out in August.
Here’s a brief summary of events relating to this tome.
July 19 (TOMORROW/TODAY/IN THE PAST IF YOU’RE READING THIS FROM THE 20TH) – I’m at Bookslam in Notting Hill Gate. Readings; a bit of comedy; ‘literary club night’. Fun.
August 22 Edinburgh launch. Some sort of walking-around-having-adventures nonsense, as successfully and dangerously pulled off with ‘Eleven’ two years ago. It will be very fun. If you’re in Edinburgh at that time, please await further details.
September 19 (probably) London launch. A great big wedding-themed event. This will be similar to the Edinburgh one, but not so northerly. Please put this date in your diary now. It will be exceptional.
Good. I think you’ll like ‘The Knot’. It’s a sad one. But it’s had some very emphatic responses so far. Plus, I like it myself. And I wouldn’t normally say that. You know me.
19th September is in the diary, very near my birthday. This is not a hint as I messed up getting your birthday present to you, but a joint party would be nice. I also like the word “exceptional”
I’m so gutted I can’t see you at Reading this year but you why so that takes the pain out of it a bit. Hope it goes well and you are able to pop over and do your whole Edinburgh show in my living room at some point.
Weill see you tomorrow at Bookslam. I have been saying Go Team Watson alot this year and rightfully so. Keep doing what you’re doing Watsons. You rock
Duh not Reading …. Edinburgh!! Why did I said Reading, hmmm it’s probably because I was thinking about books and reading? Or I’m tired. Ok maybe it’s just cos I’m losing my mind. Over and out xx
I’m so pleased I can come to the Edinburgh launch this year – though being on the phone/helping to helm the online stuff during the Eleven launch was a lot of fun.
Well I shall most certainly be there, except I think I’m meant to be moving house on the 19th. Bother.
Drat, the Edinburgh launch is after I leave here for the second time, and the London launch is just before I head back to England. If you wanted to do some sort of Edinburgh practice the city’s relatively quiet at the moment…
Am I safe to assume that there will also be a Melbourne launch in the future?
Aug 22 is my birthday. Unfortunately, I’m not in Edinburgh for the launch/adventures, I’m in Brisbane, and that’s a bit of a hike and not financially viable two years in a row.
I will be purchasing The Knot to add to my collection of Mark Watson books, and I will no doubt catch up with you at some point so you can scribble something in it.
Financial constraints mean I’ll miss both launches. Bah. Still, I am delighted that the new book is available in the colonies from next month, so I will have it by the time I go up to a lake cottage for a few days in September.
I will have left Edinburgh by that time, sadly. I will read The Knot though! It’ll probably be the last thing I can afford to buy for myself before I go to university.
The other day a guy I work with mentioned that he was reading Eleven. It was a good moment.
Good to see you at latitude last weekend!
I shall be there in Edinburgh (if it doesn’t clash with when I work) and I shall be there in London. I wasn’t there today, but I think it being my birthday gets me off the hook. Massively looking forward to the new book and all the related shenanigans.
How nice to hear from you – and with so much good news!
It sounds like everything is going very well. Do you get paid to read for the costa book awards? That sounds like a good job if so.
I shan’t be anywhere near either Edinburgh or London so will miss all of the events, but once your book appears at the library I shall have my own event at home, possibly with lots of bourbon biscuits.
We have entered the time of year when it is particularly tight for those whose pesky partners don’t work summer holidays, so unless you’re planning an event in my back garden, I fear I will have to forego these exciting launch extravaganzas. Good luck!
Will no doubt be in Edinburgh, though my condition will depend on the time of the day.
Will no doubt purchase the book and pass it on, do you object to this passing it on? This cannot be a good thing, no wonder the economy is in the state it is. If only one person buys a product and then passes it on it will surely create further issues. Oh well I will make it a hardback copy, that way it will last longer.
I won’t be at anything, because instead of my normal excuse of not having money to get to the UK, I now have a job, which means I don’t have any time off to get to the UK!
Also, I think reading a bunch of books for any award would be my dream! There is not enough time in the world to read, and if it’s as a job, then people can’t tell you to put down the book and empty the dishwasher
All excitin…I’m only in Edinburgh til 18th though!!Thought you were very funny on Sunday Brunch other day!Jx
A wedding themed launch 2 days before my wedding (well Ellen’s reallyi just need to turn up) thinking about a honeymoon in London, so maybe we’ll get to see where the book launch was #notquitethesame
Ooooh. Now that I work in the London, I might actually be able to come to an event for once. Tres excitemundo (as my sister often says).
Hope you continue to find diamonds in the rough of the Costa long list! I’m in process of housemoving (Misha, for goodness’ sake don’t do it the way I have, in odd weekends and evenings) so have just got rid of lots of books – looking forward to hearing your (and your fellow judges’) recommendations for new ones to read.