Legend Press

How to become the new Daphne Du Maurier? by Nick Griffiths

I recently moved to Cornwall with my family, escape London’s smog and its tooled-up urchins. Were there not a big curtain before me, blocking the view, I would be typing this looking out over the picture-postcard River Fowey, with its boats and boatmen and luxury yachts on which young blondes cuddle up to fat men. (Note to self: consider opening curtain.)

It strikes me that this neck of the woods and its scenery are ripe for the novelist’s mindset. Seagulls wheeling skywards, shitting on one's pate, traditional pursuits, earthy types with weather-beaten heads, salty air, tourism that sets in. Plenty of successful writers have plied their trade down here. Daphne Du Maurier lived locally, for one. There are others but I can’t think of them. I could ask the wife, who’s sitting mere feet away, however I don’t want to give her the satisfaction.

There’s an annual Daphne Du Maurier Week held in Fowey, when old ladies clutching boot-fair copies of Rebecca congregate to listen to stories and wee copiously after overdoing the tea.

Who’s to say that in the future they won’t hold a Nick Griffiths Week? Hands down.

So. How to become the new Daphne Du Maurier?

1. Buy her old house on Readymoney beach, a stone’s throw from Dawn French’s bijou gaff, soak up the ambience. As good fortune would have it, that’s just come on the market! Google the price and... Ah. In the region of £2 million. (Note to self: consider throwing stones at Dawn French’s bijou gaff from Du Maurier’s former garden. Down with the kids, innit.)

I read Rebecca as a student, back when I was infatuated with Tammy who had suggested I do so. Afterwards I bought Daph's lesser-known work, I'll Never Be Young Again, but then Tammy chucked me so I never read it. All I recall of Rebecca was its setting.

2. Set something in a big house. Banderley? Tanderley? Quanderley? Then burn it down at the end. (May be on to something here.)

What else? Hmm. My sum knowledge of the celebrated writer’s life, no matter how hard I rack my brain, is this: she was a lady. Which leaves me with:

3. Wear a dress.

See you down Nick Griffiths Week. I'll be in some flowing chiffon number.

And order LOOKING FOR MRS DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths by clicking here.

Harrison Dextrose - 'Nutball funny'!

Great to see fantastic review of IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths by book blog BigAl's Books and Pal (to see review click here).

And especially good to see the review on the eve of the launch of the mass market version of the sequel, LOOKING FOR MRS DEXTROSE.

If Footsteps was the book that once got me accidentally intoxicated on a return train from Salford due, Looking for Mrs Dextrose is worth a Salford to London season ticket, just riding up and doubt the route re-reading this fantastic book.

This Mighty Boosch, Gulliver's Travels and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy all rolled into one.

And you should order a copy right here to see for yourself.

Tom

Author Blog - Nick Griffiths

People often ask me, they say: “Nick, who are your writing influences?”

Actually, I may have worded that misleadingly. I’ve made it sound as though I can’t escape from people asking me, “Nick, who are your writing influences?” As though I couldn’t walk down the street failing to be pursued by a series of bookish grannies, dragged headlong by the eagerness of their walking sticks. As if I’m asked it so often that it’s become boring, a cliché, and that I might find it as annoying as poor Michael Crawford must do when people still shout at him, “Hmm, Betty!” in the streets. And one day I’ll flip and turn on the hapless quizzer, snatch a handful of their collar and smack them up against a wall, snarling, “Why? What the fuck is it to you?”

Then, when the moment of rage passes, I’ll see the fear in this little old lady’s eyes, and her poodle’s pissed itself, or maybe it was due a piss anyway. Whatever, I feel a terrible weight of shame as I return her to her feet and smooth down her QVC blouse, absent-mindedly, since I cannot stop thinking about what I have done, such over-reaction to a perfectly reasonable query. And I walk away, glazed over, not noticing that behind me grandma has collapsed – heart attack – and Queenie the poodle, her precious friend, licks at the powder on her face as the sparkle fades from her eyes. Within minutes, a crowd of honest people will have gathered around her, wondering who she was and whether she’s dead, as the one who barged to the front going, “I’m a doctor!” feels vainly for a pulse. Was it worth it? Was it really worth it?

So, no, I am not exactly pestered with people demanding to know, “Nick, who are your writing influences?” I doubt I’ve been asked it a dozen times. In fact, I know I haven’t been asked it a dozen times. It’s nearer twice. Three times at a push.

Nick

Nick is the author of Looking for Mrs Dextrose, In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose, Who Goes There and many more!

Reader review - In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose

We have received an excellent reader review of In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by Rob McDade:

In the footsteps of Harrison Dextrose / by Nick Griffiths Reviewed by Rob McDade (10 minute review)

I was recently introduced to this author when I found a copy of his first book Dalek I loved You in a second hand bookshop. Being a Doctor Who fan of similar vintage (and fully judging a book by its cover) I purchased it and put it on my 'maybe read one day' pile. The fact that I read it sooner rather than later, thoroughly enjoyed it, and could not put it down is either testimony to the skill of the author, the subject matter (which I really related to), or my own obsessive/insane personality. I think that as we both grew up watching the Pertwee / Baker MkI era of Doctor Who, and have a warm fuzzy attachment to that time, as well as a teenage love of music - particularly prog rock groups such as Pink Floyd and Rush, as well as other greats rocker like David Bowie - I felt a sort of bond with Nick. Like I was reading my own life story but in a parallel universe.

Anyway, I couldn't wait to make contact with Nick, tell him what a load of crap his book was and find out what other drivel he had managed to put out.

Hence, Harrison Dextrose. Picked it up, could hardly put it down and within a few days had finished it. The same addictive style as DILY but with a totally way-out, hilarious adventure tale. Full of colourful characters, bizarre places, black humour, white humour, even dwarf humour, with just enough rude bits to keep an oversexed gen X-er like me captivated from start to finish.

In the footsteps of ... is a postmodern text. Griffiths' book contains a text within a text as our hero (anti hero) Alexander is compelled to retrace the explorations of Harrison Dextrose as journaled in his book The Lost Incompetent: a Bible for the Inept Traveller. Gullible as I am, I initially thought this Harrison Dextrose character and his book were real. But soon found reading between the lines / between the pages of Alexander's story, the story of Dextrose to be an outrageous tale of travel, adventure, drunkenness and whoreing.

As Alexander tells his own tale, pathetically imitating his hero, it becomes clear that Alexander is the REAL hero. His journey, filled with twists and turns right up to the end, is far more interesting, outrageous, perilous and meaningful than Dextrose's. While Dextrose is either drunk, firing his fellow expeditionaries, sleeping with whores or doing all these at once, Alexander seems to be caught up in efforts to liberate people from oppressive ideological regimes, and even saving the world from destruction. His is a journey of self-discovery.

Nick Griffiths - as has been described already - has a Douglas Adams flavour to his writing. He could also be the next Ben Elton - but I hope he remains 'underground', unlike Elton himself who has become way too mainstream.

To put it simply it's a bloody funny adventure yarn, a far cry from the 'old ladies' novels that seem to fill bookshops these days - to the extent that I could not even find Nick's book and had to order it online. - But that's not to say that old ladies shouldn't read it.

Hilarious! Can't wait to read the follow up - Looking for Mrs. Dextrose.

... and BBC - get this man to script a Doctor Who episode or two.

In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose - 'comic genius'

In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by Nick Griffiths has received a fantastic review from freelance writer Charlotte Chase. You can read her blog at http://charlottepaperchase.blogspot.com/.

Below is a taster of the review:

Suffice it to say, if you like the absurd and the unpredictable, you'll like this book. I, myself read this book whilst commuting and made the horrible mistake of forgetting that other people were also accompanying me on our journey through unknown tunnels. So I was pretty horrified when a snort escaped from my face whilst reading Nick Griffiths work of comic genius.

To read the review in full click here

Lucy

 

 

Where I Write: Nick Griffiths

Great to see Nick Griffiths, author of IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE, LOOKING FOR MRS DEXTROSE and WHO GOES THERE, featured in Writers' Forum magazine.

Nick reveals where he writes, from home to chop shops and Cornwall. To download the feature, just click here.

And you can order Nick's fantastic books direct from the Legend Press shop - just click here.

Tom

Student's perfect pair

It's great to see so much coverage being received for the student-only edition of the fantastic LOOKING FOR MRS DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths, ahead of the mass market edition next year.

Furthermore, Amazon are currently offering a special deal on the new book and the brilliant first in the series, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE - both for just £11.88 (RRP £15.98)!

To order, click here.

Tom

18th December - Advent book of the day!

Each day of advent we are going to profile a different Legend Press book for sale! We want everyone to have a Legendary book in their stocking, so if you see something you like please order. The best selling book will be at the top of our Christmas tree on the blog on 25th December.

Everyone who orders a book from our site in December is automatically entered into a prize draw to win a hoard of Legend Press books!

Today's book of the day is In The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose. This is book has been described as the new cross between Gulliver's Travels and The Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy.

‘It was my 18th birthday when I chanced upon Harrison Dextrose’s The Lost Incompetent: a Bible for the Inept Traveller, little knowing that it would one day lead me to kill a man with a dead penguin…’

Inspired by explorer Harrison Dextrose’s book – a curmudgeonly account of travels through unfashionable lands in search of a lost drinking partner – and Suzy Goodenough’s carnal delights as the prize, Alexander Grey rolls off his sofa to follow in the acclaimed man’s footsteps.

This is no usual travel text, involving poodle-farming, the Frihedhag sisters, wilful consumerism, an unwanted but undaunted sidekick, one too many rodents and the 24-hour Iditamush sled race, starring a sausage dog. And along the way, Alexander may, or may not, help to save the world. It’s that kind of a trip.

‘This book is cooler that David Hasselhoff in a room full of otters.’ Popbitch.com

Order your copy of In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose now - £7.99 

Lucy

2nd to last again!.....

Last night a Legend Press collective entered the Pop Bitch Quiz in Southwark organised by author Nick Griffiths. The team consisted of me, Tom, Lauren and our brilliant designer Gudrun. Unfortunately this collection of fine brains performed abismally again, coming second to last. Although there was a marked improvement in points scores.

With questions last time mainly about serial killers and Nick's obvious interest in Doctor Who we swotted up, but to no avail. It was questions about food and films stumped us once this time

Next time we will find the specialist topic out before the evening and recruit accordingly... maybe third from last next time...

Watch this space.

Lucy

Tonight at Stoke Newington

  

Mark Piggott and Nick Griffiths will be talking this evening at Stoke Newington Bookshop (159 Stoke Newington High Street) at 8pm tonight. Mark will be signing copies of his fantastic novel Fire Horses and Nick will be signing copies of the equally brilliant 'In The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose'.

Hope to see some of you there!

Order your copy Harrison Dextrose now - £7.99 

Order your copy of Fire Horses now - £7.99 

Lucy

Harrison Dextrose in Borders' Discovery Bay

It was a nice surprise yesterday to see Borders have included the unspeakably brilliant IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths in their Discovery Bay - to quote: 'Fantastic new authors who's books you are yet to read and discover.'

Not sure if that should be 'who's' or 'whose', but still another great promo idea by Borders and nice to see they (rightly) love Dextrose.

And if you haven't already ordered, read, reread a copy, surely you must realise that you're missing out and get straight onto it now? Twice top selling book on Amazon and Times pick, no less.

Tom

It minking works...

In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by Nick Griffiths has had another excellent review, this time in his local N16 Magazine. The reviewer calls the book a 'sarcastically swashbuckling saga' with a 'cliff-hanging climax'.

Order your copy now - £5.99 

On 25th October Nick will be publishing his second book with Legend Press called Who Goes There, the sequel to his hugely popular book Dalek I Loved You. To view Nick's journey and learn more about the book visit: www.whogoesthere.org.uk

Lucy

Nick Griffiths' 'zany satire' in the Big Issue!

Nick Griffiths' novel In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose has had an excellent mention in the Big Issue.

"Boyish humour abounds as Alex has unruly encounters with funny-accented locals, and his final discovery is more than he bargains for."

Read more by clicking on the image to enlarge!

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Harrison Dextrose a 'Top Mover & Shaker' once again!

Following on from yesterday's great endorsement from hugely-popular website PopBitch.com (see below), IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths stormed up the Amazon chart last night. In fact, it was recorded as the 'No.1 Mover and Shaker' of the day - i.e. seeing sharping sales action than any other book!

Unbelievable I hear you say. Well, lightning does strike twice in the instance of this great book as just before it's recent launch it also charted number one on the chart, showing how popular it is proving. And rightly so. Plus Amazon seems the one chart that writers can regularly check and so seeing the books going like hot cakes there is fantastic.

Of course, if you haven't already, you'll want to order one now:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Harrison Dextrose is a 'summer delight'

The spectacular IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths has already been listed as the book to buy in the Times and today hugely-popular site PopBitch.com has listed it second in their Summer Delights - 'nice things to help you waste June'.

Have been inundated with people contacting me to tell me how much they have enjoyed/are enjoying this fantastic book and it's great to hear more superb endorsement from PopBitch.

If you haven't yet got in on the act, make sure you order your copy right now (and at just £5.99!):

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Harrison Dextrose recommended in the Times

Was great to see the brilliant IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths recommended today by Simon Hills in the Times Magazine.

The book is being included in so many magazines at the moment that it's difficult to put them all up on the blog without starting to over-bombard you. Bit this novel deserves all the praise and interest it's receiving and this is a particularly major one - Times Magazine has a readership of over 3 million. So if one out of every three readers buys a copy of the novel we will all be very happy indeed!

Tom

Win free copies of Harrison Dextrose!

Detour have launched a competition offering five free copies of the magnificent In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by Nick Griffiths. We seem to be getting press by the day, and all of it positive, for Alexander Grey's Dextrosian quest in the footsteps of his hero. The book is also still being promoted across the high-street and we're very excited by it's progress since launch - although we also thought we had uncovered a rare gem in this novel.

And to save you walking anywhere, you can get involved right here:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Tom

Harrison Detrose - 'written with great panache'

Nick has got another excellent review for his novel 'In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose' from the popular blog site Random Jottings.

'I found it very funny and written with great panache and style and I get the distinct impression that the author, Nick Griffiths, had a hoot writing it.'

'I enjoyed it very much and found myself sniggering and giggling at quite frequent intervals as I turned the pages.'

To read the full review click here.

Nick Griffiths will be 'In Conversation' tonight at Waterstone's Piccadilly at 6:30pm click here for more details.

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

'Harrison Dextrose is the Gulliver's Travels for today's world'

We know it's great, so do the many readers who've snapped it up so far, but it's always nice to read a great review. And so it was fantastic to read the comments in the Gardners Gazette, one of the UK's biggest book wholesalers. Harrison Dextrose has already been described as the new Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy and now Gulliver's Travels - can't say much better than that.

Buy a copy now of the great book while the limited-time sale is on:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Tom

Announcing Legend Press' first AUTHOR OF THE WEEK...

Congratulations NICK GRIFFITHS for winning Legend Press's prestigious new prize 'Author of the Week' - a competition where the only prize is honour! I spoke to Nick earlier on to get his reaction to the win:

How do you feel about becoming Legend Press' first author of the week?

    Shocked and stunned.

Describe your book in 10 words?

    It's called In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose and it's... (d'oh)

If your novel could have a theme tune what would it be?

   The one from The Banana Splits.

Tell us one fact about yourself that we won't believe?

    I have a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

    Paul McGann

If we weren’t asking you questions right now, what would you be doing?

    Probably wrestling in Mexico.

Who will will next week?!!!!

...And Nick Griffiths making a mark at Oxford St Waterstone's

Thanks to all the staff at Oxford St. Waterstone's in London where we had a great afternoon yesterday. It was brilliant to see all seats taken for a talk and signing with Nick, author of the fantastic IN THE FOOTSTEPS of HARRISON DEXTROSE, despite being one of the first (and hopefully not last) sunny days of the year.

If you're going by, make sure you drop in as they have ordered bucket loads which Nick has signed and which are being promoted at the front of the shop. Make sure you pick a copy up of this great and hilarious novel. (note: a friend who got a copy on Thursday's launch, told me yesterday that he hasn't been able to put it down since). Exciting times for Harrison Dextrose and Nick!

Tom

Harrison Dextrose front-of-shop in Cardiff...

Nothing quite like seeing the books out on launch day - especially when promoted at the front of the shop. Thanks for the picture Josie from the Cardiff Borders!

Tom

Bad photographer but great launch...

Despite two double bacon bagels, this morning at Legend Press is most politely described as a delicate one. That is the result of a great launch last night for the fantastic In The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by Nick Griffiths, which we're all very excited about. The Phoenix Artist Club was a fantastic venue the place was packed throughout the night.

Just realised I only took one picture, and that a badly taken one, of Nick signing the posterboard which will join all the others down the years on display. But to fill in the non-pictured gaps, it was great. And in the end late. But all worth it and onwards tomorrow for the Oxford St book signing. The book of the summer? I should hope so.

Tom

Joy unconfined for the Dextrose....

We did say we were very excited by this book and what better way to set-up for the official launch event tonight - the brilliant IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE has hit number one on the Amazon Movers & Shakers chart. i.e. it has jumped up the rankings more than any other book (and the eagle-eyed of you will notice that it has done so at a rate TEN-TIMES higher than any other book!)

No mean feat at all and not only that - it is currently at number four in the hot new releases chart. And this is only the start... Watch out Martina Cole at number one.

You'll no doubt say I'm not one to be wanton with my emotions, but I'm actually quite excited!!

Tom

See our authors on Waterstones.com...

We've recently posted unique videos for three of our authors – Lee Henshaw, Nick Griffiths and Josie Henley-Einion - and now the first two are up on the Waterstone's website, along with full profiles and great question and answer interviews. To view just click on Lee and Nick - both are brilliant and you have to see them (involving a self-interview and melon respectively).

Josie's is to follow shortly, but while you're there make sure you place an order for the great books. Waterstones.com has been a breath of fresh air since its launch and from all reports has exceeded expectations. We look forward to working with them a lot more over the coming months and onwards.

Tom

Read Nick's Writewords interview

Nick Griffiths's Write Words interview is up on the web for all to see! He speaks about his motivations for writing, finding an agent and his feelings on the release of 'In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose' next week. Click here to read the interview.

"Harrison Dextrose isn't published yet, and I am on tenterhooks as to the reaction. But I've had some frankly glowing responses to Dalek I Loved You, which make my heart soar."

Nick launches later this month - Win an invite!

Nick Griffiths launches his new book In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose on Thursday 24th April at the Phoenix Artist's Club in central London. 'Cooler than David Hasselhoff in a room full of otters' the event is set to be a fun and exclusive affair, as with all Legend launches!

As we're being generous this sunny morning, the first 3 people to order a copy of Harrison Dextrose will win a pair of invites to the event. Order at:

ORDER NOW £7.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

Nick Griffiths interviewed as a melon

Not words I ever thought I'd write, but there they are. I introduce our latest promotional video - Nick Griffiths, author of the brilliant In The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose (out 26 April), under a cunning disguise.

When I saw him enter the office carrying a melon I thought insanity may have taken over, little did I know it was the unearthing of a new star.

Can't wait to launch this fantastic novel and I may even invite the melon to cut the ribbon at the launch. Pre-order your copy right now:

ORDER NOW £7.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

Step forward into The Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose

This is the first official look at the fantastic IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths. We're hugely excited about launching this hilarious and brilliantly written novel (out 26th April) but I don't think I say anything better right now than the cover quote - 'This book is cooler than David Hasselhoff in a room full of otters'. Prepare yourself for the arrival of Harrison Dextrose...

Tom

Harrison Dextrose - receive an exclusive review copy!!

As the most ardent of Legendary followers will know, we're very excited about publishing IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HARRISON DEXTROSE by Nick Griffiths (author of Dalek I Loved You) in April. It's a fantastically entertaining and brilliant book, which left me in a giggling stupour on a train journey back from Stockport, and with major support already expressed we're expecting it to be a huge success (fingers etc crossed).

Anyway, after a bit of a kerfuffle, three of the review copies (which we send out in advance to major buyers, reviewers etc) were slightly damaged so we couldn't send. They are now sitting like advance golddust on my desk and so I thought I'd offer a very special opportunity - the first three people to order advance copies from now (see link below) will receive one now, in addition to receiving their finished copy when the novel launches.

Three very important and exciting reasons:

1) You will be the only members of the general reading public who will have had a chance to read this potentially huge novel - definite bragging rights and can annoy all and sundry with the information at dinner parties, bus stops etc for numerous months to come.

2) Nick has kindly signed the copies so even more room for bragging and they will make an exclusive set of which there will be just three of its kind - a great addition to any bookshelf.

3) For the cynical/businessy people among you, these copies will be worth a small fortune once the book is a major hit (note: Harry Potter fan selling first editions today for £40,000...though if you take that route I want a cut!)

So, a unique opportunity and act fast before I order them myself to keep reading this brilliant novel:

ORDER NOW £7.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

Orion author signs up to join the growing band of Legend Press writers

Legend Press has further highlighted our rapid growth with the acquisition of a novel by Nick Griffiths. The comedy novel, In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose, is scheduled to be published in April 2008 and was secured with a nominal advance. The deal was agreed through Robin Wade at Wade & Doherty Literary Agency.

Griffiths’ debut novel, Dalek I Loved You, was published by Gollancz in hardback in April. It has been nationally promoted, received acclaimed reviews and the paperback, due out next Spring, is to feature in major promotions. Orion retain the rights to the sequel but Nick approached us about his other new novel after meeting managing director Tom and hearing of our rapidly-rising profile. He was impressed by the Legend Press passion for our titles and also by our proven innovative marketing and sales approach, and was immediately keen for us to publish In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose.

Tom commented to the press: “This is a hilarious and brilliantly-written novel and as soon as I had read the manuscript I knew it was one I wanted to publish.  We’re so happy to have secured this novel and acquiring the rights to one of Nick’s works demonstrates our growth and rising reputation in the publishing market.” 

He continued: “The best of independent titles are not there to be paid lip-service to but are works with huge sales and profit potential. This is something we expect to demonstrate by introducing the world to the superb In the Footsteps of Harrison Dextrose by one of UK’s best new authors. There is every chance this could be one of the hit novels of 2008, a place it absolutely deserves.”