Legend Press

Here or There author makes school homecoming

We send our authors out to lots of events and while it can be initially unnerving and difficult to openly discuss something that is so personal, all do a great job. Though I think it was with extra trepidation that Rebecca Strong, author of the fantastic Here or There, answered the call from her old school to return and speak to the students. After all there can be few tougher audiences than a school, particularly one you went to yourself before becoming an author.

Luckily, and unsurprisingly to us, the event went extremely well and Rebecca's novel proved a big hit (click for write-up). Additionally, both students and teachers commented on how inspiring it was to hear Rebecca talk and listen to her story. Well done to Rebecca, and we may have to do some research on all the writers' schools now to arrange a 'back to school' type tour.

In the meantime, order a copy of the great novel yourself and report back your own thoughts:

Buy now £7.99

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

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

'Here or There must be seen as a triumph'

The Small Press Review has reviewed Rebecca Strong's brilliant Here or There in its November/December issue. Here are some of the things that the reviewer, Susan Woollard, says about the book:

'To employ so many characters while ensuring that each has a prominent position within the whole is quite a feat for a debut novelist. Each character must have its own unique personality and backstory: too little would offer mere shadows of people; too much would feel cluttered. I admit to expecting the author to falter somewhere along the line, yet she never does. Each character emerges as full formed and vital to the plot.'

'The last chapter worked like a satisfied sigh for me.'

'I would very much like to see Rebecca Strong follow up this strong and successful debut with another novel sooner, rather than later.'

You can read a pdf version of the full review here:

Download SmallPressReview_page1.jpg
Download SmallPressReview_page2.jpg

And of course don't forget that you can buy your copy of the book directly from us as well as in all good bookshops.

Either click on the links here or check out our Christmas Sale for special offers on gift sets and signed editions.

Here or There
by Rebecca Strong

Buy now £7.99

Happy reading, and have a lovely weekend!

Emma

Here or There: the blurb and the story behind it

Here or There is a novel of choices, irreversible decisions and far-reaching consequences...

‘Do you ever get the impression that things weren’t meant to be as they are?  That at some point along the way you took a wrong turning and ended up down a completely different path?’

Eleven seemingly unconnected characters are captured at points in their everyday lives when they are plagued by uncertainty, nostalgia, insecurity and, above all, a persistent longing for a different life. As these characters’ lives begin to touch, often without their knowledge, far-reaching consequences prevail, leading some ultimately to commit murder. Yet – even after this potent search for better, more fulfilling lives – has each person ended up where they really want to be?

The story behind it:

First-time author Rebecca Strong wrote the novel in just one year after she was set a challenge by Legend Press' very own managing director Tom Chalmers.

Tom read some of her excellent short stories and suggested that one of them should be turned into a novel. They both agreed it would be an interesting mutual challenge to see how Legend Press could work to help a first-time novelist create a publishable novel within a year.

Why Legend Press chose to publish it:

The novel is a powerful illustration of the rich and often troubled tapestry of modern society and the complex and intriguing structure, split between a collection of characters whose lives begin to touch, at first fleetingly and then with more and more unpredictable significance, is unique and gripping.

We also felt it to be a hugely thought-provoking story, dealing with the issues of choice and decision, freedom and desire, and how much of our lives we can control.

Woman's Own magazine review Here or There

Rebecca Strong's fabulous debut Here or There has been reviewed this week in popular Woman's Own magazine.

Woman's Own magazine review Here or There

Rebecca Strong's fabulous debut Here or There has been reviewed this week in popular Woman's Own magazine. The reviewer's verdict is as follows: 'A good story with a twist in the tail: we meet 11 seemingly unconnected characters - with one thing in common. They're searching for a better life and are cleverly brought together at the end. A very good read.' So, if you haven't already, you'd better buy yourself a copy!

£7.99 - Here or There - signed copy £5.33 - Here or There - standard copy -1/3 off £9.99 - Here or There - overseas order

Writewords interviews Here or There author Rebecca Strong

Popular writers' community website Writewords have featured an interview with Rebecca Strong, about her brilliant debut Here or There

UK Lanka Times feature Legend Press' newest author Rebecca Strong

The UK Lanka Times have printed a feature length article and interview with Here or There author Rebecca Strong. The article can be read in full here (you'll see Rebecca pictured on the front cover but will need to scroll down to page 22 for the article) and the editor of the publication describes Rebecca as 'an incredibly mature and introspective writer' who 'accurately capture[s] and project[s] the intricacies at work with characters that have everyday ordinary lives.'

The article ends with a paragraph dedicated to Legend Press where in her interview Rebecca says:

' Legend Press is fantastic and I've had the pleasure of seeing it rapidly grow and achieve a lot. Being a small publisher, they really believe in every book they publish, and put great time and effort into each one.

She continued: 'They are approachable and innovative, and very supportive of new writers, which is great. There is so much financial pressure on the publishing industry these days that the focus is shifting away from the intellectual value of books. Legend Press, like any other publisher, is a business, but they continue to promote the art of writing and the pleasure of reading; I feel fortunate to be published by them."

And we didn't even ask her to say all that, honest!

A 'treat for book lovers' -- first Amazon reviews appear for Here or There

It's only just over a week since it's launch and the first few readers of Here or There have given their feedback on Amazon.co.uk.

One customer describes the novel as 'an excellent read and a treat for book lovers' while another says: 'after reading the very first chapter of 'Here or There' I was hooked. I was immediately sucked in.' Read the reviews in full here

Here or There shortlisted for Five Live Book of the Month

Rebecca Strong had plenty of reasons to celebrate last week at the launch party for her stunning debut Here or There as, not only was the launch a wonderful occasion with 111 books sold (the packed room at Foyles is shown in this picture on the left), but we found out that the novel had been shortlisted for Five Live Book of the Month on the Simon Mayo BBC radio programme.

The book is now officially on sale and in shops so if you haven't already got your copy now is the time to do it.

A novel in a year - Legend Press' author challenge is met this week

Here or There, the light-literary debut from London author Rebecca Strong will launch this week on 28th July, with a pre-launch party and champagne reception at Foyles Gallery on Wednesday 25th July. The novel is the result of a year-long challenge set by Legend Press MD Tom Chalmers for 26-year-old first-time author Rebecca Strong.

Rebecca met Chalmers’ challenge with skill and panache and has created a powerful illustration of the rich and often troubled tapestry of modern society. The novel is split between the everyday experiences of numerous characters whose lives touch fleetingly, yet often with unpredictable significance. The latest in Legend Press’ rapidly growing and highly acclaimed novel list, Here or There is a novel about choices, freedom, desire, and how much we can control, and is expected to appeal to an extremely wide readership. 

A passion for books and writing led Rebecca to study French and Spanish at University College London and then become an active committee member of the Society of Young Publishers (SYP). It was at the SYP that she met Legend Press MD Tom Chalmers and together they set the indomitable challenge of Rebecca writing a novel within a year.

Tom Chalmers commented: “When talking with Rebecca about some excellent short stories she had written I thought it would be interesting to see how Legend Press could work to help her, as a young first-time novelist, create a publishable novel within a year.

“The challenge was a success and we’re greatly looking forward to publishing Here or There as it is a vivid reflection of modern society and will be relevant to an incredibly wide readership. Its main target is the female reader but, with the range of characters and description, it also has great crossover potential to the male market.”

The SYP publish the first interview with Here or There author Rebecca Strong

The SYP (Society of Young Publishers) have published the very first public interview with Rebecca Strong, author of the upcoming and much-anticipated Here or There (out on 28th July).

Rebecca is ex-editor of InPrint, the SYP's magazine, and in this special InPrint Online interview she answers some questions about her novel, what it's like to be published by Legend Press and some general probes about writing and her favourite authors. Read in full here.