Legend Press

Some legendary resolutions

With it being the start of a fresh new year tomorrow, it seemed only right to think of a few Legend Press Resolutions. So:

1) To continue doubling the number of books we publish year-on-year and so to sign up a load more already established and brand new authors to add to our 'stable' (normally avoid that word as can't help but think of horses, but sure you get the point).

2) To have at least one of our books hit that major, international bestseller mark (i.e. I want to see our titles in some of the book charts - the next stage forward and looking increasingly likely...).

3) To launch two (and possibly more) major new initiatives - can't say more now but will reveal all shortly. Should be a very interesting year... And also to make the publishing service work we do a successful and  profitable business in its own right.

4) To complete the final steps to have an national and international infrastructure set-up to be able to compete on enough levels (and even to surpass in some) the major publishing houses.

5) To see the success of the fantastic Luke Bitmead Memorial Fund, set-up in Luke's name to support fledgling writers.

6) To keep my cool more and not to shout at anyone.

7) To take a holiday(s) - will be three years in and so only deserved, but whether it'll happen...hopefully.

8) To grow some form of facial hair for a period after a notable success.

9) For Legend Press to win a f*cking award (plus swear less) - worried about the three-times bridesmaid thing if we get shortlisted too often and don't win anything.

10) Finally, to drive and develop Legend Press to the forefront of the changing world of publishing and prove that huge success is still possible for a company that started out with no resources and then had slightly less. Viva the revolution, as they say.

So there we are - has worked out as a kind of commandments list in the end with the even number. One I am least confident about is possibly the facial hair. Anyway, feel free to offer your own resolutions and most importantly have a great New Year - here's to an amazing 2008!

Tom

I am Legend (Press)

Every day we get reports of where our name has appeared online to help us track coverage for Legend Press and our rapidly-growing number of books. Despite thinking there would be other 'Legend Presses' when originally choosing the name, virtually all mentions that come up are directly related to us and we seem to be the 'Legend' of note.

However, for the first time over the last couple of weeks there has been a new name occasionally appearing in the reports - that of new film 'I am Legend' starring one Will Smith. This is fine (and who knows, we get get some new followers through fans of the film coming across our website...) and I am know tempted to go and watch I am Legend  purely because of the name.

I am not sure if the publishing company gets a mention, despite that Mr Smith will no doubt be a major fan of several of our range of top titles, but I see that they are using our image on their promotional material - makes sense of course to use our branding.

Also leads me to think that if they ever make a film one day about the actual Legend Press, who would play who... For me of course you'd be looking at the A-listers - Pitt, Clooney etc - or maybe on a bad day that old ticket inspector from On The Buses. Elsewhere, maybe Dame Judi Dench for Emma, Zsa Zsa Gabor of Gudders and Mariella Frostrup for our great proof-reader Ruth... Will give it some more thought.

Tom

'Compelling story of love, consequences and the human longing for happiness.'

Great to see another review from the UK's top student newspaper - Student Direct. On this occasion Claire Marchant-Collier has reviewed the brilliant Here or There by Rebecca Strong, calling it an 'unusual, endearing and easy to read novel that is thoroughly enjoyable,' as well as 'compassionate and incredibly engaging in its exploration'. Read the full review here

Of course, if you haven't already, you should immediately snap up a copy of the novel from our online shop (in fact, may as well treat yourself to a signed one). What better way to start the New Year? We are also really pleased to have the student community supporting and appreciating our publications as, despite being the current and future generation of readers, reviewers and publishers, they are too often overlooked by the publishing industry. So we look forward to working with them and hearing their thoughts on all books Legend Press publishes.

  Now go and order Here or There.

Tom

Post 100 - Happy mid-Christmas week!

Just realised that this is post number 100 for the new website so thought it only right to use it to say hope everyone had a good Christmas and are enjoying this mid-Christmas week bit with the New Year part still to come. And that there is still leftover food and a few sentimental but they're ok as it's Christmas films to enjoy.

Hopefully many 1000s of posts ahead as the website and Legend Press goes forward!

No rest for the Legend Press - LBF 2008

Just as I was relaxing and thinking of another mince pie, just seen that our listing is up for London Book Fair 2008, which takes place in April. While I will put it out of my  mind to enjoy the fantastic festive period, shows things never stop and lots ahead for Legend Press in 2008 and onwards! For now, that mince pie.

Tom

See the William Coles video (again) everywhere

Many of you may already have seen the fantastic video recorded by William Coles to promote his hugely-popular and brilliant novel The Well-Tempered Clavier when we posted the link pre-launch.

Now, due to our friends at the award-winning site Meet The Author, it has been made further available across the internet. Kind of like moving from a cult to a mainstream hit - and for many reasons it's well worth a watch. (Think we've all watched it here at least a hundred times each - if I can close my eyes I can even see and hear it, a slightly worrying factor when deciding its time for sleep.)

One of the many sites it is now included is  at Waterstones.com I mention this as I really like the Waterstones online site and what they're doing and, also, if you scroll down you can click through to a full profile of Mr Coles, including the answers to a list of exclusive questions.

Learn a bit more about the author and then of course buy the book - is getting rave reviews, from authors, readers and even the likes of Piers Morgan and Boris Johnson, and frankly must be read by everyone. Enjoy the video/profile and order now!

Tom

Luke Bitmead Bursary for new writers

It has been announced today that entries for the first Luke Bitmead bursary to support fledgling novel writers will open on 1st January, and the bursary will be awarded in May 2008. It will include a cash award of £2,500 for the winner from the Luke Bitmead Memorial Fund and a publishing contract from Legend Press.

We are delighted to be working with Luke's family to ensure that Luke’s name and memory lives on - not only through his work, but through this wonderful memorial bursary too.  For those of you lucky enough to have met Luke you will know that he was hugely compassionate and would love the idea of another struggling talented writer being supported on the arduous road to securing their first publishing deal.

We've created a page in the sidebar of this site with more details and guidelines for entry and you can also access the same information at www.lukebitmead.com, plus see a bit more about Luke and his family there too.

I hope there are lots of you out there who will be making an application for this unique bursary, we look forward to being part of the judging panel!

Emma

Prize winner announced!

Congratulations Maridi Taylor, your name was pulled out of our special Legend Press hat to win a set of books after casting your vote in the inaugral cover awards. (If you missed it, see the original post and the results here).

And the winning cover is.... Here or There. I would say well done to you Gudrun but, seeing as you've designed all of them except for Tom's The Remarkable Everyday, really you were in competition against yourself all along. Still I feel that it's no mean feat to have designed such a wonderful and diverse collection of covers and the fact that it was actually a close call as to which gathered the most votes shows that everyone has their own favourite and they're all brilliant in their own way. Maybe you can tap Chalmers for a free set of your own books later on?!

Emma

Ps  -- Maridi if you could email us at info@legendpress.co.uk with your details we'll arrange getting the books sent to you. Thanks everyone for taking part, really interesting to hear your views!!

If you're waiting to hear back from us about your submission....

...then please accept my apologies for the length of time it's taken to get back to you. I know how frustrating it must be to have to wait, and wait, and wait...but the amount of submissions we're now receiving is SO much more than a year or even six months ago that, what with everything else that keeps us so constantly busy and on our toes, it's getting harder and harder to respond within a decent timeframe.

However, finally I have some time, actual real time for once, to catch up. Can't really believe it but it's true!! So, starting from this week and continuing over the Christmas and new year period I will be focusing on submissions and then planning meetings with Tom to discuss which we feel we'd be able to do most justice to and which will fit with us best. My initial purge of reading will include the last few short story submissions that I still haven't had chance to read, all the novel submissions that are waiting for me in the submissions inbox and the various piles of manuscripts that are strategically placed around my office at home.

Thank you all so much for your patience, it's massively appreciated. And rest assured we will be giving proper time and consideration to your work and responding to you personally -- this, of course, is one of the reasons why it takes us a long time to get back to everyone but we think this personal approach is worth it, and will help us make sure that our list is as strong as it can possibly be.

Emma

Free audio recording with limited edition advance orders of Queer Fish!!

As you may well have heard, we signed up Lee Henshaw’s novel Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room after hearing about his ‘shop-gifting’ promotion via the Next-to-Hemingway blog. Lee had 100 copies printed, signed and numbered and they were mysteriously pictured at shops around the UK and world…

Continuing in this vein, we’ve decided to have Lee sign and number the very first 200 copies of Queer Fish straight from the press. These will then be sent to the first 200 customers who advance order a copy prior to its 2nd February launch.

Brilliant? But we’ve decided to add even more in – Lee is recording a reading over Christmas with hip-hop artist Akira The Don and we have decided to include a free recording with each of the 200 copies. A limited edition of the hotly-tipped novel, plus an exclusive free audio recording – must be one of the best advance deals around so order now to be one of the lucky 200!

Pre-order now - just £6.99

Tom

Saturday event - at Betsy Trotwood

The pub or selling books has been a dilemma before on working Saturdays. Tomorrow, I'm pleased to say, I get to do both, courtesy of Legend Press friends Penned in the Margins. They've arranged an all-day event, starting at 11.30am, at the three-floor Betsy Trotwood pub on Farringdon Road in central London and when they said they were looking to get as many independent publishers, artists, writers and general creative enterprises together we were very happy to immediately put our name down.

So, if you're in the area tomorrow come and see the event, should be a great day. Particularly if you're planning to do some Christmas shopping, I'll be there looking after a mini Legend Press store, with lots of exclusive special offers, so you can fill the present quota there, from the comfort of a pub (far better than the irritation of pushing through the crowds just to get to Dixons on the high-street).

I met Tom, who runs the rapidly growing Penned in the Margins, when we were both setting out on our respective ventures and so I always enjoy catching up with him and I think we both keep an eye out on each others' companies and I'm particularly pleased he is doing so well, fully deserves it.

So, if you're around - come and see us tomorrow.

Tom

Journey goes down brilliantly at library events

Jae Watson travelled up to Walsall yesterday for two reading group events -- the first at Pleck library and the second at Walsall Central library.

She emailed us first thing this morning to let us know what a good time she'd had at both and what an excellent turn out there'd been. Both groups had asked tonnes of stimulating questions and were really taken with the book.
Not that we're surprised!

Don't forget that you can buy a copy of the stunning Journey for yourself right here at our shop, or why not take advantage of our Christmas Sale and get one of our 'Cultural giftsets' with Journey and Salt & Honey for just £10.99 including free P&P? Lovely.

Emma

Buy the Cultural Gift Set NOW   

Check out the rest of our special Christmas offers here.

Reminder: vote for cover and win free set of books!!

Make sure you scroll below and not only choose your favourite Legend Press book cover to date by leaving a comment but put yourself in with a chance of winning a free set of Legend Press books. We're going to pick a name out of a hat over the next couple of days so go and choose now. Want to break some type of comment record in the process if possible.

Tom

An Amazon hero - The Well-Tempered Clavier

Every Christmas should have a hero (was going to make a Tina Turner joke to start this blog but with the news this morning of the death of her ex-husband I suddenly thought it best to leave it). Anyway, announcing itself as a hero this Christmas, for Amazon, is the mighty Well-Tempered Clavier by William Coles. The major powerhouse of online present buying has recently started to do its bit to promote the many top books from independent publishers and has chosen the hugely-popular Well-Tempered Clavier as its first 'Hero Product', details of which have been emailed to all its customers.

So, to buy a hero immediately, order now:

The Well-Tempered Clavier
by William Coles

Buy now £7.99

As well as a great book we really want to make this promotion worthwile and a success - showing Amazon what they can do by promoting the very best independently published books.

Tom

PS Absolutely love this picture - Burt Ward, a true Legend. If you look carefully, it's signed.

A process of elimination begins in The Well-Tempered Clavier's 'who is Kim?' debate

You may remember the speculative coverage in The Sun around the time of the launch of William Coles' uplifting romance, The Well-Tempered Clavier. If you don't, or if you missed it at the time, here it is:

               

Eight weeks later it would seem that the process of elimination has begun as we hear directly from one of the three ex-Etonians that The Sun suspects of being the real Kim.

Boris Johnson, London Mayorial Candidate and MP has said: 'My own piano teacher was called Mr Bagston and frankly I don't think any power on earth could have persuaded us to create a scene of the kind Coles so movingly describes!'

I love this quote because, despite Mr Johnson obviously being primarily concerned with clearing his name, he also can't help but let it slip that he actually really likes the book - well, who wouldn't? And he's so right when he says it's moving, it really is! Several people have told me they've shed tears reading it (both men and women).

If you haven't read it yet then you should get your copy from us now, below, or - if you're about to go and do lots of other Christmas shopping on Amazon - don't forget to visit this page and add a copy to your basket before checking out.

The Well-Tempered Clavier
by William Coles

Buy now £7.99

And for a lovely treat to soothe and move us on a Thursday at elevenses, there are some snippets of the beautiful Well-Tempered Clavier music on Bill's personal website - click here, scroll to the bottom of the page and press play.

Emma

The Inaugural Legend Press Cover Award!!

I have long promised our brilliant designer Gudrun Jobst a special Legend Press cover awards. And with the latest Legend Press Christmas party coming up I thought now may finally be the time. There is a slight twist in that I designed our first ever cover myself, in the days when Legend Press was run in a bedroom on a free PC, and Gudrun is quite rightly aware that I will happily fix the vote to ensure mine wins, whether deservedly or not (and deep down I know the answer there considering how good a designer she is, but of course I'll keep backing mine for argument's sake regardless.)

Therefore, to keep it fair I thought I would open it up for the public vote (and there'll be none of the recent phone scandals here). So here's your chance - just leave a comment to vote and let us know your favourite for the inaugural award! (Actually will also be very interesting in seeing the response).

Yours competitively,
Tom

Unexpected press mentions entry 1

From a very small engine we like to think we try to run big press machine at Legend Press and often know of various coverage coming out for our books or about us. However, one of my secret hobbies that I normally keep quiet is google searching during late or early hours and discovering the many random places where we have had mentions. One step away from Google searching your own name, which of course I never do...

It one of the advantages of this internet thing and its amazing where we've found stories and details coming up, often all around the world. This morning I came across a story at Writer's Market entitled ''Shop-Gifting' Blog Becomes A Legend' (note: how great our name is for headlines writers...).

Writer's Market have picked up on the fantastic story of Lee Henshaw's upcoming book 'Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room', which we signed up having seen the brilliant 'Shop-gifting' promotion at Lee's Next-to-Hemingway blog. The novel launches 2nd February, was recommended by Publishing News, and is being promoted front-of-shop at Waterstone's, Borders and Books etc - looks very set to be a major and deserved hit.

Order your advance copy now and to read the full Writer's Market feature just click here

Tom

'Digitisation and all that' - a blog post from Crockatt and Powell booksellers

I've spotted a blog post on the Bookseller website by Adam Powell, of Crockatt and Powell bookshop fame, that lays out his views on e-readers, espresso book-printing machines and the place of a good bookseller. Read the blog post here.

I must say that having visted the Crockatt & Powell shop (and actually held a launch party there for Heading South) I have utter faith that whatever changes in the industry and in the way people read books, Crockatt & Powell will still be there doing what they do so brilliantly well.

Emma

Have you visited the Legend Press Christmas sale yet?

15 days to Christmas and so 14 days to get all (or all remaining) presents. It was suggested that I could buy books for my presents but most people will own them already and don't think I would be the most popular person come turkey cutting time.

But if you haven't already then make sure you visit the Legend Press Christmas Sale - something great for absolutely everyone: special themed sets, signed copies, mixed bundles, gift-wrapping etc etc. Everything you need available under one roof and only takes a few clicks to complete - seems perfect.

We've had a great response so far and want to make it a great Christmas for all those buying presents, opening presents and for all our great books, so come and visit and buy away. Just click the link on the right and enter the Legend Press present store! Enjoy.

Tom

Branding authors

If you haven't already seen it, there's a really interesting post on the concept of author branding on Danuta Kean's excellent blogsite. Click here to have a read -- there are some really good issues raised and the comments left are worth a read too. It's something that we are continually prioritising and working on here, but we know that we can still do lots more - there's never ever a cut off point.

Have a good weekend (I'm actually for once not going to do any work this weekend, I'm decorating our stairs and landing instead so hoping I won't get into too much of a mess!)

Emma

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room set to make a splash

‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.

UK comedian Dom Joly has drawn attention to Legend Press’s new novel, Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room, calling the surreal comedy ‘simply brilliant’. This endorsement is the latest indication that Queer Fish, by talented new fiction writer Lee Henshaw, is set to make a strong mark in the book world with its fresh style and quirky form of hilarious story-telling. It will be promoted front-of-shop across all Waterstone's, Borders and Books etc branches from the time of its launch in February and has also already been recommended by Publishing News as one of the best new titles to look out for. (See below).

 

Henshaw originally wrote the book to ask his girlfriend to marry him although the book is far from a standard romance, containing instructions on how to build a blackcurrant bath bong, and featuring a ‘talking fanny’. Luckily the girl in question still said yes and this unusual romantic back-story prompted us to move fast to beat off growing publisher interest. We're publishing the short novel at the start of February in time for it to be available as the perfect non-mushy and non-traditional Valentine’s Day gift, and all signs point to the novel selling strongly throughout 2008 to become one of the hits of the year.

The quirky comedy has already caught the online world’s attention through a popular blog after the author decided to have 100 copies printed to see how many he could get placed (or ‘shop-gifted’) on bookshop shelves next to his near-namesake Hemingway. He publicised his mission through a blog, which he titled ‘Next to Hemingway’ (www.next-to-hemingway.blogspot.com) and copies were ‘shop-gifted’ all over the country and around the world. Pictures were taken on each occasion and can be viewed on the blog and also at Lee’s ‘Next to Hemingway’ facebook group.

Tom's official pess quote for this brilliant new novel is as follows:

“Classically written, yet often unconventional and surreal, this superb book already has a major following as a result of the hugely-popular Next-to-Hemingway blog, and we expect this popularity to grow exponentially when we publish it.

"Set in and around the cities of New York, Mexico and Caracas, Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room is ‘a cautionary tale for elder brothers and their new girlfriends’. Liam Kerby sets out on a series of three trips with Brother James and his best mate Ed Lover, and on the final journey they are joined by My Claire and Ursula Paradise. This is a story of travelling, fun, and ultimately how – without the use of the right words – new relationships can affect those you thought were unshakable. It’s an often surreal, always brilliant comedy.”

Couldn't have put it better myself Tom!

Emma

PS -- Queer Fish is now available to PRE-ORDER right here:

Pre-order now £6.99

The famous Thomas Chalmers

Not me I'm afraid but many friends/passers-by in the street may well have been told in the past that there's a statue of a certain namesake in the centre of Edinburgh. After a drink or two my father will lay a tenuous claim that the famous Thomas Chalmers was a family relation, which changes to a friend of the family when sobriety takes hold again.

I was given a book when young on Thomas Chalmers, famous for setting up the Free Church around 200 years ago, and have visited Edinburgh several times but above is the first recorded evidence I have. Author Mr William Coles, Edinburgh resident, was greatly amused to stumble across the statue recently and rushed back to place the images immediately on his blog - where the stories of the infamous character 'Idle Tom' take centre stage. Authors and their humour and creativity...

So, enjoy the pictures as not sure there will be another statue of one Thomas Chalmers put up anytime soon.

Tom

Jae Watson to give bookgroup talks

Jae Watson, author of the stunning India-set novel Journey, will be visiting Walsall in the West Midlands next Thursday (13th December) for two special library reading group events. The events will take place at Pleck and Walsall Central libraries, and Jae will be talking about the book, reading personally chosen extracts, signing copies of the novel and also holding indepth Q&A sessions.

The event is open to non-members of the reading groups too, so if you're anywhere near Walsall then please feel free to go along, Jae will be delighted to meet you. Email info@legendpress.co.uk for directions. You can see more details on the Walsall Libraries website.

Jae will be at Pleck library between 2 and 3pm, and at Walsall Central Library from 4.45pm.

If you're a member of a bookgroup and would like to talk to us about Jae or any of our other authors coming to visit your group please email info@legendpress.co.uk to get in touch!

Emma

Not one but two books in London Libraries promotion

Having recently been approach by the LLDA (London Libraries Development Association - great to see the work going on to boost and re-energise our libraries) about arranging a series of events across London's libraries, we were already aware that we had one title in their upcoming Limited Edition promotion - featuring the top books from small and independent presses.

But we were very pleased yesterday to find out out that we in fact have two books in the promotion - both Journey by the brilliant Jae Watson and Here or There by the equally brilliant Rebecca Strong. The fact I found this out while halfway through a whole packet of shortbread biscuits with my cup of coffee made the moment even better. These will now be promoted across London libraries and we hope the initiative is a major success. It's a great idea and we're very keen to do as much as we can to support it.

To read more: click here

All exciting stuff!

Tom