The night watch
I’ve almost finished compiling a summary of what people did to change the world, in response to my holiday challenge. There were several small efforts, several larger ones, but all of them are to be hugely admired. This summary should appear tomorrow.
There won’t be much of a blog this evening because, in order to spare my excellent wife from dying of tiredness, I am taking the night shift. This means that I have to get some sleep under my belt now before the tiniest Watson starts to wail, most likely at about 2am and then 4.30am. A more rock-and-roll individual would not bother going to sleep at all, but simply push on through until then. In fact, that’s what I would have done myself, even a few months ago. But pragmatism has taken over from heroics as a result of having a small baby. Although I do still often write for most of, or all of, the night when I get an opportunity. And I must just reassure you all, I am still fucking cool.
A week from tomorrow, my show will start at Edinburgh. I have finished my preview shows, with a slightly up-and-down ‘dress rehearsal’ before a nice but quiet crowd in Durham last night. Before that I did two more raucous shows in Surrey. All three of the last previews were overshadowed by having an ill infant, so I should probably cut myself a bit of slack. Overall, I believe the show to be decent. It is probably the show I’m proudest of, out of the five full-length ones I’ve done (not counting the somewhat-more-than-full-length ones, like the 24 hours)… but that doesn’t necessarily translate into any other form of success, of course. Still.
So – in answer to Louisel, yesterday – yes I certainly will be hanging around after almost every show in Edinburgh, to sell and sign copies of the book, but also to meet people. Unlike some people (Katie Price, say) I am genuine in this ‘meeting’ intention. Both the theme of this blog and the theme of the show (and novel, actually) are that everyone’s important and you should be as open as possible to affecting other people on the earth. So I’m actively encouraging anyone who’s a reader, a TYSIC person, a (dare I say it) Watsonian to come and say hello. If you are coming, and haven’t already told me when, make a note of it below and I’ll be expecting you. It should be nice.
Copies of the book are now being sent out by Amazon, slightly earlier than expected, so it will soon be possible to post a review on their site. If you’re one of the people who is happy to do this, having won a copy, your moment will soon arrive. As always I should say there’s no obligation to do this. But it’s good to have the option, eh?
Here are some other people you ought to consider seeing in Edinburgh, if you’re going (I made a list before, but without having actually seen the programme): Emo Philips, Josie Long, Mike Wozniak, Nat Luurtsema, John-Luke Roberts, John Robertson, and of course dear old Alex Horne. It would take too long to explain why each one of these people is good, but trust me. I’m a professional.
Bedtime. It’s perfectly possible I will blog again at some dreadful hour of the morning. If not, see you in ‘proper tomorrow’. Tomorrow I’m meeting people from Channel 4, filming a sketch with an eight-year-old for a television programme, and I think I’m on ITV in the iTunes Festival in the evening. Something like that. I’m not trying to look cool by never being quite sure when I’m on TV. I’m just a pretty confused man most of the time.
PS The Night Watch – title of this blog – is the name of a marvellous novel by Sarah Waters. Her most recent book The Little Stranger is even better. Some people (like my wife) would say her book Fingersmith is better still. I quite often am asked to do a list of favourite books and one day soon, I will. But till then, you’re basically sorted with Sarah Waters. And she’s next to me in bookshops. Handy.
Posted by Rachel Winter on July 30, 2010
i’ll be there from fri 6th to thu 26th.
too vague?
i’ll be at whichever show isn’t sold out yet…guess i’d better get on that!
and the meeting on the pavement wandering around thing.
that’s the only 2 things isn’t it? would hate to miss any ‘secret’ things!
Posted by Anna Lowman on July 29, 2010
I’ll be there on Thursday 19th. That’s quite a wait really…. But I will be there, nonetheless.
Posted by Laura on July 29, 2010
You are a trooper, aren’t you?
I was most excited to receive an email from Amazon telling me I would be getting your book earlier than expected. Hurrah for Amazon!
I am off on my hols on Friday so will have to cope without the blog for a whole week. I don’t like the thought.
Shame I won’t be at Edinburgh, but I shall attempt to pluck up the courage to say hello at your show later in the year, while trying to convince the boyfriend I’m not stalking you. I’m not, as is demonstrated by having zero points in Where’s Watson?
Posted by david on July 29, 2010
Just arrived in Edinburgh today to start rehearsing for my show. its all very exciting. see you around Mark!
Posted by Anji on July 29, 2010
Hope the sleeping thing went well! You know you can still be cool without staying up all night! Web the coolest need sleep at some point!
Hope Kit’s much better today.
I’m not going to edinburgh I’m waiting for the somewhat less spectacular Torquay. Meh, can’t mock 30 mins in a car – rather that then 12 hours!! Not that I’m sure it wouldn’t be worth it but I’m taking the first. Have fun though!
Posted by Alex on July 29, 2010
I’m very sad that I can’t come to Edinburgh, but hopefully I should be going to see you in Newcastle.
Also, I may be behind the times, but has everyone seen this recently..?
http://patricktheoptimist.org/?page_id=38
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on July 29, 2010
Hope the night watch went ok for you and I’ll be seeing you in Ed on the 19th!
Posted by Rachael on July 29, 2010
I second that Josie Long recommendation.
Posted by glamlovinkitty on July 29, 2010
Me and OH (@sturmwulfe) are coming on the 15th. We originally had tickets for the 6th but then he got a gig offer that clashed so we’ve moved to the 15th.
If anyone wants to buy my 2 tickets for the 6th (2 for 1 price) tweet me on the same name as this…
I will be hoping to get my book signed as you’ve signed all my others and I wouldn’t want this one to feel left out.
Posted by Laura-B on July 29, 2010
Hello! I’m coming to see the show on the 9th, hopefully with Al and James – we’re aiming to combine it with a long show reunion.
x
Posted by Heather on July 29, 2010
You’re awesome. I can’t imagine how tough it must be to juggle being highly amusing, being a dedicated daddy and writing/promoting books and all sorts, all at the same time. But you pull it off, so kudos.
I’m coming to see you on the 6th of August, and bringing a friend who’s never heard of you, and who doesn’t laugh easily. No pressure
I have no doubt that she will turn into a dedicated follower.
Sleep well
x
Posted by Someone on July 29, 2010
Took me 25 mins 2 read this Blog on miniscule phone. Just noting my dedication without laptop
. Sleep well.
Posted by Catherine (Cathy) on July 29, 2010
Glad Kit is better. Sleep well all.
Posted by Joelle Stanton on July 28, 2010
I can also reccomend John Robertson!
I went to his shows at the Wild West Comedy Festival (The pathetic comedy festival Perth, Australia has)
It’s a different sort of show to the normal stand-up shows but it’s still really cool! Plus he supported Mark a couple of years back at my first stand-up gig so he must be pretty cool!
I hope Kit gets better soon, Mark so that you can start getting some somewhat better sleep.
Goodluck for the Edinburgh stint and I hope everyone is having a good day!
Posted by Aislinn on July 28, 2010
I second what Zoe said. (Well, the first two sentences; the others don’t really apply to me.)
I shall see you on the 5th and again on the 11th. And I really can’t wait.
(I’m going to four of the shows you recommended.)
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on July 28, 2010
In every blog you write about shows etc.. I will ask for a show in Ireland… preferably in a city called Limerick.. or Cork, whichever’s easiest.
You go on and on about shows in England AND Australia!! But never Ireland, and we’re so close! Neighbours in fact.
A show here would be very much appreciated… I really do want to see you in person. After reading your blogs and “stalking” you, some might say, I bought “A light hearted look at murder” from http://www.bookdepository.com
I’ve never met an author of a book I loved, and again, would very much appreciate meeting you and of course, gaining a “Where’s Watson” point or two.
Thanks for being a new constant thing in my life,
Laura
Posted by Kathryn on July 28, 2010
Every shop I’ve tried only has Sarah Waters and not your books. I think it’s just our rubbish Northern Irish bookshops. But it’s good to know that it’s worth hanging around the “W” section anyway.
I hate to be the person always making excuses but I’m being stingy and getting someone to buy me your book for my birthday. And some tickets, obviously…
Sleep well!
Posted by Hannah Mae on July 28, 2010
There is no doubt that you are still fucking cool. Wish I were going to Edinburgh but I’ll hopefully see you after your show in Bristol in October, as well as your potential London book reading sesh. It’s lovely that you’re so up for chatting to fans.
Goodnight. I hope Kit is getting better and that you get a reasonable amount of sleep tonight.
Posted by Misha on July 28, 2010
The news that my copy of Eleven should arrive the day before I leave for scotland was most gratifying to come home to. If all goes well i’ll read it on the coach in order to distract me from the fact I can’t really wee for 10 hours. Unless I brave the coach loo. No-doubt anyone awake and on twitter will be kept informed. I digress.
If you’re hanging around in Edinburgh I feel I should ask you to join the grafitting of my Canvas bag so you can feel a bit rock and roll, even with small child. Simone has already helped alter it (with her lovely handwriting) so that it now reads:
Official Watsonian
Extrodinaire
Only she hasn’t buggered up the spelling.
I’m 90% sure when I started this blog comment there was a point to it, so i’ll finish by sharing the knowledge that a girl in my A2 English lit Class picked Fingersmith for her coursework “’cause it’s like, got, lesbians and shit in it”. High praise indeed. (I did Cloud Atlas).
I’ll shut up now.
Posted by Zoe Fell on July 28, 2010
You’re a total inspiration Mark. I hope to one day be as brilliant as you.
I shall be at your Fringe show on the 19th. And cannot wait. It’ll be my first time seeing you live, in front of my face, with my own eyes.
It will definitely be nice. Dare I say lovely?
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on July 28, 2010
*hug* for you and *hug* for Kit. G’night. x