So, look, my new novel ‘The Knot’ comes out in the last week of August.
It is a tragicomedy about a wedding photographer, set between the sixties and nineties. He has a complicated relationship with his family. Some serious stuff goes down. If you liked ‘Eleven’, you’ll like it, but in a different way. If you never read ‘Eleven’, you still have a pretty good chance of enjoying it. If you’ve never read any of my books, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start – it’s the best one so far. If you’ve never read any book at all, I probably wouldn’t start with this one; I’d have a crack at ‘Watership Down’ and work from there.
There are two crazy events planned to celebrate the emergence of ‘The Knot’, which is widely tipped to become the major landmark of Western literature to date.
The first will take place in Edinburgh on August 22, at 2pm (arrive 1.30ish). It’ll be in a beautiful church and will take the form of a mock-wedding, essentially, with readings, a photographer, people in hats/dresses and POSSIBLY A KILT FOR ME, but I must stress that this is subject to predicted attendance: if I put a kilt on and there are only six people there, it’ll be like when you dress as an oak tree for your own fancy-dress party but nobody else really goes for a costume.
This will be followed by a procession to Waterstone’s on Princes Street, where there will be signings of the book but, perhaps more importantly, canape-style food (what adults call ‘nibbles’) and drinks. The whole thing will be done by something like 4, allowing the nation to sit down and read the novel itself in one sitting before midnight.
If you’re in Edinburgh it would be lovely if you made it to this; if you’re anywhere else in the world you should probably get a train or plane ticket, or a boat, if you set off promptly after reading this blog.
If you are in London (Olympic city) though, and find yourself with a ghastly void in your life once the Games have left town, you might be tempted to come to the London launch, which looks almost certain to be on September 19. This might take a similar form (dicking about in a church) or it might not if the Edinburgh one results in sanctions from God. There’ll be more news on this – both the divine reaction to the Edinburgh launch, and its impact on London – as we get it. But it’s safe to say the London one will be in the evening, so perhaps you could make a tentative, but still fairly firm-looking, entry in the diary to that effect.
Tomorrow on this very blog, there will be an opportunity to win one of ten copies of this book, allowing you to read it and ruin it for everyone else by the time the launch actually comes round. Don’t miss this chance to spoil something for someone!
And do come to the launch(es) please. The Edinburgh one is a Facebook event. I don’t understand Facebook any more, but do sign up for it or ‘like it’ or whatever it is these days.
www.facebook.com/events/469134806430655
Thanks!
Every time I read your blog these days, I seem to get grit in my eye … well done mate
19th September is in the diary x
This all sounds soooo good -i’ll be at both your shows next week and the one you’re doing with David o’Doherty but I go home on the 18th .-booo! I’m definitely up for this competition tomorrow!
Good luck with the shows!Jx
I’ve already pre-ordered The Knot for my Kindle. (Although a real copy would be absolutely awesome!)
I disagreed with Kindles out of principle, but had to give in as I’m moving to Spain and still want to read.
Incidentally, the moving to Spain stops me from coming to the launch events. Boo. Hope they go well. x
I take back my original Twitter pledge. I’ll come to the London launch if you wear the oak tree outfit, not the kilt.
Can’t wait
they get better every time 
I have put 19th September in my diary with a question mark, as I am indeed a Londoner now with my own Oyster card and everything
I’ll be there in London Mark, look forward to seeing you (I did try my hardest to find you in the Copper Box but lots of people + considerable distance + no glasses didn’t make it an easy task!)
Wish you were having an event a little closer to me, I would definitely be there
Next best thing though is I have just got birthday present tickets to come n see you in Nov !!!! x
Me and Adam will come to the Edinburgh one. We aren’t on facebook though, so hopefully this comment will suffice as confirmation!
Coincidentally we’re also coming to your show that night.
I’ll be at Ed Fest that week – will defo be there – do we need to dress up too?
I can’t come because I’m not in Edinburgh anymore, sadly. I got the book after your show though, and I will read it and spread word of its amazingness.
Not sure why I’ve only just seen this as it’s been around for a while … bit slow on the uptake as always!!! So I’ve no doubt missed the free Knot comp too … hey-ho!!! Just as well I ordered a copy … hoping it arrives in time for my hols next week …
Welcome back, btw … missed my regular doses of Watsonisms!!!
Hello (: I really enjoyed your show. Great fun! And i hope you liked the lolly! Also the book was amazing. I read it in two days (very fast for me) and i loved it.
Quick question, can we buy the SOPG T-shirts anywhere? I didnt have enough money on me at the show. Thanks x
* * * FINGER CROSSING ALERT * * *
Remember this, folks??? Well, a new season begins today and I think we must continue to do our part in keeping Mark’s team Bristol City in the Championship. We were successful last year … let’s do it all again!!! City begin the new season’s challenge away to Notts Forest …
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SATURDAY 18 AUGUST
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BRISTOL CITY
KO: 3.00 pm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Good luck to all finger crossers, fellow footie fans and especially to the City team and management today!!!
You still with me, Jen??? X
OK … of course it’s disappointing to lose the first game of the season 1-0 away at Notts Forest, BUT it wasn’t a drubbing and possession was 50/50.
Let’s hope for a better result when Crystal Palace visit Ashton Gate on Tuesday … Please g
et some finger crossing practice in before then and who knows what we can achieve …
Onwards and upwards …
Hey Mark,
Congrats on the new book! Did the competition replace your email of April 11th or is that still a go-er??
Hope to read the new book soon!
Standing at the back of the queue, trying to think of something polite to say whilst you sign the book, How’s the show, how does this one compare with Eleven, spoken to Paul Goddard lately, etc. Got to the front and all I can say is “You look thinner everytime I see you”. Wow. Classic. I almost ran out of Waterstones with embarassment. Anyway, humble apologies Mr. Watson and thanks for signing the book.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
I listened to the serialisation of the ‘The Knot’. I was so moved. Julian Rhind-Tutt , for me, did a wonderful job.