Legend Press

Jae Watson's second novel 'Fragile'

We are very excited to announce that this week we have signed up Jae Watson for her second novel Fragile, which will be published this year on 27th June. Jae is the author of Journey published in March 2007, which continues to get excellent publicity being named LBC's book of the month for November 2008. Below is a taster of what the book is about:

Following the breakdown of her marriage, Beth Swann decides to use a sperm bank in her hometown of Liverpool to start her family. 18 years later, her daughter, Julia, increasingly intrigued by the identity of her biological father, goes against her mother’s wishes and returns to Liverpool to complete the jigsaw of her background. Julia finds that not only Liverpool has changed but also her character, as she is drawn into the search for her father and to the people she meets on the way. Focusing on a group of characters, Fragile is a roller coaster trip looking at the decisions we make and the consequences on our lives.

Pre-order your copy of Fragile now - £7.99 

Lucy

Jae on LBC today!

Jae Watson, author of the brilliant 'Journey' will be interviewed on LBC this afternoon on the Jeni Bernett show at 3:30pm. Journey has been chosen as the show's book of the month which is really exciting news for this fantastic book! It should also tempt lots of Londoners to go out and buy copies for their Christmas pressies! Below are some fantastic reviews Journey has received:

'Journey was a fascinating read that kept me intrigued to the end. It is a novel that defies expectation and provides no cosy solutions.'
Writewords.co.uk

'This is a wonderful novel which I would highly recommend… [it] is the best of all worlds combining travel, mystery, adventure, self exploration and discovery.
Amazon.co.uk

'Must be a winner. Books, after all, don't just furnish a room. They fit very neatly into backpacks.'
N16 Magazine

'Ambitious and bold...this is a book which ventures off the beaten track in more ways than one; its strength lies in its intoxicating evocation of the traveller’s colourful world.'
Roundtable Review

'You need to buy this book - it's a great novel, vibrant and colourful with a rich vein of insights, wit and wisdom.'
Geoff Mather

Order your copy now - £7.99 

Lucy

Jae Watson at Speakers' Corner

Next from our Speakers' Corner event last Saturday is a video of Jae Watson, author of the amazing Journey (order this brilliant novel at discount below). Jae cleverly tried to go incognito but can just about be recognised under the hat and glasses. Plus the slight Liverpudlian twang finally gave it away.

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Tom

Independents Day at Speaker's Corner

As part of the London Lit Plus Festival, Legend Press held it's own 'Independents Day' event (will say Lucy came up with that name, being the day after 4th July, but privately I know it was me). Appropriately for authors and publishers attempting to get their voices heard as part of the independent sector, it was held at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park. One of the best-known areas in London, and further afield, for free-speech.

Jose Henley-Einion (pictured), author of shortly-to-be-released SILENCE, and Jae Watson, author of JOURNEY, were brave enough to stand up and talk about their books. Parts were also filmed and videos will be available shortly.

It didn't rain and was good fun - plus great to have an opportunity to get the word out there about these great books and to highlight the gems that the independent sector offers.

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.

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

Some of reviews of the stunning Journey

'Journey was a fascinating read that kept me intrigued to the end. It is a novel that defies expectation and provides no cosy solutions.'
Writewords.co.uk

'This is a wonderful novel which I would highly recommend… [it] is the best of all worlds combining travel, mystery, adventure, self exploration and discovery.
Amazon.co.uk

'Must be a winner. Books, after all, don't just furnish a room. They fit very neatly into backpacks.'
N16 Magazine

'Ambitious and bold...this is a book which ventures off the beaten track in more ways than one; its strength lies in its intoxicating evocation of the traveller’s colourful world.'
Roundtable Review

'You need to buy this book - it's a great novel, vibrant and colourful with a rich vein of insights, wit and wisdom.'
Geoff Mather

The blurb and the story behind Journey

Following the break-up of her relationship and unsure of her life's direction, Marianne leaves a London still reverberating from the terrorist bombings to travel for a year with the mysterious and beautiful Sara. However, deep into the chaotic and mystical heart of India, events take a dramatic turn and, in the Holy City of Varanasi, Sara's body is discovered floating in the Ganges. As the investigation ensues, unexpected and shocking revelations cast a new light on Sara and take Marianne on a painful but vital journey to uncover the truth about her friend and also her own life.


The story behind it:

Jae studied Theology at Manchester University where she developed an interest in world belief as well as human psychology and decided to pursue a career in social work. She has worked with children in some of the most deprived inner-city areas, particularly helping with issues of childhood trauma and loss. Without giving too much away to readers, all of these elements have combined to influence the story and development of Journey.

Travelling has been an ongoing passion for Jae and in 1999 she took a career break to travel around the world. She fell under India’s spell and reached some important life decisions, the most significant of which was to make more space for her writing...and a few years later Journey was born!

Why Legend Press chose it:

Journey is a great read which we could see would appeal to readers across all market-categories. When we first got the manuscript we couldn't drag ourselves away and the sense of excitement and suspense remained even after we had read through it again and again, and edited it...and then read it again! It is fast-paced, thoughtful and full of twists and turns that keep you engrossed from start to finish. We were also drawn to it because it provides a moving and meaningful exploration of so many things in life: different belief systems, fate, psychology, abuse, complex relationships and – most of all – raw emotions like fear, love and trust.

Libraries pick Journey for special promotion

Copies of the gripping India-set novel Journey by Jae Watson will be appearing across London in libraries from the start of November. Journey was specially chosen to feature in a new city-wide promotion, named Limited Edition, which has been organised by the London Libraries Development Agency.

All London Libraries were asked to nominate a title and then the best of the bunch were picked to be included. Look out for the Limited Edition themed display stands in a library near you soon.

For in-depth information about Journey, its blurb and the story behind it, visit our catalogue page or use this link to buy your copy now.

£7.99 - Journey - signed copy £5.33 - Journey - standard copy - 1/3 off £9.99 - Journey - overseas copy