Legend Press

Josie Henley-Einion on BBC Radio Wales

Just a quick post to say Josie Henley-Einion will be on BBC Radio Wales from 1:15 to 2pm today on a radio talk programme about how lesbian and gay people are portrayed in the media.

Make sure you listen out for her.

Lucy

Gary interviews Josie (Legend to Legend!)

Last week Gary Murning, author of If I Never was busy interviewing fellow Legend Press author Josie Henley-Einion.

Below is a taster:

Your first novel with Legend Press, Silence, was published back in 2008. Was this the first novel you wrote?

No it wasn’t! It hardly ever is, from what I can gather from other authors. The first novel I wrote to completion is a trashy lesbian detective novel which will remain unpublished for a number of reasons. I wrote a lot of stories as a teen and in my early twenties and also began a number of novels but this one was the first that I finished, and wrote it when I was thirty. Following that I wrote a children’s novel for a BBC competition which was shortlisted and got optioned but never published. I believe that this novel has potential but will probably never get published due to it coincidentally having too much similarity to Harry Potter (I say coincidentally because I’d never heard of Harry Potter when I wrote it and hardly anyone else had either). Sigh. The experience of being shortlisted (six out of 4600 entries) spurred me to taking my writing seriously which was when I decided to study for an MA in Writing. I’m also still in contact with the other finalists who are my writing gang which is great. It was during the MA that I wrote Silence. Since then I’ve written another two novels to completion and started countless more!

I recently listened to an interview with Sid Fleischman on the Litopia podcast, who used the phrase ‘nothing was wasted except the paper’ when referring to an early novel that he destroyed without publishing. I’m not sure I’d have the courage to destroy my first writings but that trashy detective novel will serve as a reminder to me if ever I become too arrogant about my abilities! I see those early novels as valuable experience and agree with this ‘nothing is wasted’ concept, especially as Jackie (one of the main characters of Silence) is a writer and goes through similar experiences with the formulaic writing.

To read the interview in full click here

Lucy

A chat between Josie and Gary

Josie Henley-Einion has interviewed fellow Legend Press author Gary William Murning on her blog this week.

Below is a taster:

What sorts of books do you read? Are they similar to the ones you write?

I read fairly widely, actually. In my teens and early twenties, I was heavily into horror fiction. Very much cut my teeth on it as a writer. Then I went through the fairly common phase of reading allegedly more “serious” writers, reading the likes of Joyce’s Ulysses purely for the thrill of being able to say, “Yup, I’ve read that one.” The fact that I detested many of these books was, of course, irrelevant! Or so I then thought…. Eventually, though, I started to favour writers who could make me think as well as entertain. John Irving was an early discovery, and from there I explored Joseph Heller, Garrison Keillor, Ken Kesey and a whole host of other (largely, though not exclusively, American) writers.

Over the past few months I’ve read, among others, Truman Capote, Ron Hansen, Edmund White, Robertson Davies, Peter Carey and Stephen Fry – a pretty diverse bunch but, I suppose, the one I would consider myself most like, stylistically, would be Robertson Davies. At least as far as my current work in progress is concerned. Very large canvas, stuff.

To read the interview in full click here

Lucy

9th 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 Silence by Josie Henley-Einion. The book was released in summer last year and is a gripping thriller set to send shivers down your spine!

Blurb: Jackie Harris, prison counsellor and ex-drag king, kills her lesbian lover's rapist in what she insists is self-defence. Looking back through her life, Silence portrays a troubled but resolute character overcoming many obstacles and slowly discovering her identity.

Examining sexual violence and its repercussions, this is a gripping and stylish novel that questions the right of the media to scrutinise and control public judgement. When all is done, Silence is the only route for Jackie Harris to be heard.

The novel tackles issues of gender, mental illness, addiction, and how far a person can go to protect their self and their property.

Order your copy of Silence now - £7.99 

Lucy

On the Holloway Road spotted out and about in Venice!

Josie Henley-Einion author of the brilliant Silence has been spotted in Venice reading On the Holloway Road by Andrew Blackman. It is great to see Legend Press authors reading other Legend Press books and spreading the world both nationally and globally!!

Book-crossing Silence

Whilst travelling in Italy Josie Henley-Einion author of the brilliant Silence took part in some interesting book-crossing, bringing the novel to an Italian audience!

'Romeo and Juliet fans read Silence…I hope. Well, it’s safe to say that someone took the book after I left it on a ledge next to Juliet’s balcony in Verona. Not sure whether the person who took it was a tourist (like me) or a member of staff of one of the many shops surrounding the balcony, or one of the actors I saw playing the scene (in Italian) while I was there.

This is another step in the Silence conquers the world plan. Or my own version of Book Crossing which I started doing before I found out there was a name for it. I suppose there is a difference between me leaving new copies of my own book with messages to potential readers and someone leaving used copies of books they’ve read for other people to enjoy and pass on. I quite like the idea of someone finding my book like that and maybe there is a potential for book crossed lovers.'

Read the rest on Josie's blog by looking here!

Lucy

Silence on Swiss Radio

'Silence' by Josie Henley-Einion was reviewed on World Radio Switzerland last week. The book had a mixed reaction with the reviewers, on a show that is notoriously harsh on all books. The show is specifically about small publishers. Below are a few of the comments. 

“Amazingly fresh voice. Very, very in your face… It’s not for anybody who is squeamish about the realities of growing up in foster homes, and about violence, and sexual abuse. But I think it’s a powerful book because it’s not afraid to tackle topics that are controversial. One of them is the way society treats lesbians, and another is communication between people… And also the role of the media and how a person is portrayed in the media when there is some kind of crime.”

“It’s wonderful that a small press gives a new writer an opportunity. It is the kind of book that probably a big mainstream publisher would not have published.”

To listen to the show click here

Lucy 

Josie in the South Wales Echo

 Josie Henley-Einion author of the brilliant Silence has been featured in an article about libraries in Wales in the South Wales Echo.

The article is about Cardiff's new city library that has come under criticism for closing to early and not provoding enough events and extra activities. Below is an extract:

"Novelist Josie Henley-Einion, who lives in Ely, Cardiff, won critical acclaim for her last book, Silence.

She said: “I did attend a book event in a library in London in the evening. If they did events like that they would attract people to go in there.

“But I’ve not seen many of those in Cardiff. Most of them seem to be in cafes or bars.”

A spokeswoman for the National Literacy Trust said of Cardiff library’s opening hours: “It does not seem very customer friendly.”

Brough Girling, a friend of Cardiff writing legend Roald Dahl and director of Readathon, said later opening hours would benefit younger readers.

He said: “Isn’t it true that children’s library lending is holding up better than adults’?

“The way to snuff out children’s reading is by restricting (library) hours.

“Children’s recreational reading only comes when they learn to love books and that can be through book ownership or borrowing and that is where the libraries come in.”

To read the article in full click here!

Lucy

Josie Henley-Einion

Josie Henley-Einion author of the gripping Silence has just been featured in the latest Border Women newsletter for Lesbian History month. Josie writes:

Josie comments about LGBT History month and her experiences as a lesbian author: “Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans History is such an important topic. When I was growing up I was totally unaware of any options for my sexuality other than compulsory heterosexuality. It wasn’t until I was almost an adult that I started to find out about the vast history of diverse sexuality from which I’d been protected. Many young people now may be in the same situation, and miserable as I was thinking that I was alone and destined to a celibate life. In celebrating our history, we not only continually establish for ourselves the foundations of our culture, but we demonstrate to people who believe we shouldn’t exist that sexual diversity is natural and not a new fad.

I have read widely among lesbian gay bisexual and trans authors, and many have influenced me in my own writing, including Sarah Waters, Radclyffe Hall, Alice Walker, Armistead Maupin, all of whom write about the ‘hidden’ world of sexual diversity. I also never cease to be amazed at how many great historical figures’ lives were actually not as straight as they have been written. It is only in supporting unbiased historical research and in recording evidence of events that may not have been acceptable at the time, or had been buried since, that we will be able to explode the myth that heteronormative behaviour is the only option.

Many ordinary people did not have their histories written, so we should be celebrating the histories that exist and honouring those that were never recorded. People have lived without recognition, without the means to record their own lives, or if they did, it was destroyed or overwritten. Thousands of people were overlooked, criminalised, pathologised, and made invisible. LGBT histories are our histories and our lives, but they are also everybody’s histories as they form part of the complete history of the human race.”

To see the article in print click here!

Order your copy of Silence now - £7.99 

Lucy

Josie in the Western Mail

An article with Josie Henley-Einion has been printed in the Western Mail this week. Below is a taster...

Josie Henley-Einion drew on aspects of her own colourful background to ensure the characters in her new novel Silence were believable – a decision she’s come to regret.

"I’ve been writing since I was a child but I began with a bad attitude towards fiction. I refused to read books because I thought they were babyish.

Instead I learned to read from the newspapers. I remember at age three fighting for the paper with my mother. It’s not surprising that my novel Silence is written as if it were non-fiction and dotted with newspaper clippings.

In school I was forced to read fiction and found I enjoyed it after all, but always thought that I could do better. I started to write my first book when I was eight years old.

I soon realised that I couldn’t do better! My main problem was finishing a plot line as I would always go off on a tangent. Although I managed to produce short stories, I didn’t finish my first novel until I was 30."

To read the article in full click here

Order your copy now - £7.99 

Lucy

Josie on S4C TONIGHT!

Josie Henley-Einion, author of the fantastic Silence will be appearing on S4C (Welsh Channel 4) tonight at 11:55pm. It will be available after screening by following this link.

The programme is called Hacio and it is the only Welsh language current affairs show for younger people. Tonight the show focuses on homonphobic bullying, a theme central to the plot of Silence.

If you haven't read this powerful novel yet why not order it now...

Order your copy now - £7.99 

Lucy

Your votes are needed!

Silence was chosen as Book cover of the week on a popular blog site at the start of last month and it is now time to vote for the cover to win Book Cover of the Month! The unique and bloody cover by our designer Gudrun Jobst is praised on the website:

"The second you look at this, the creepy feeling is upon you, and if you're a lover of murder mysteries, the creepier the cover, the greater your desire to read the book."

Voting only takes a second so it would be great if you can get as many people to vote as possible!

Vote for Silence by clicking here! 

Thanks

Lucy

Silence - Book Cover of the week

 Silence has been voted as Book cover of the week on www.erinaislinn.com. Voting for Best cover of October starts on November 3rd, so I will post a link up for everyone to vote for Gudrun's fantastic cover at the start of next month! 

"The second you look at this, the creepy feeling is upon you, and if you're a lover of murder mysteries, the creepier the cover, the greater your desire to read the book."

If you missed Josie's interview on BBC Radio Wales listen by clicking here!

Order your copy of Silence now - £7.99 

Lucy

Josie on Radio Wales tonight

Josie Henley-Einion will be appearing on BBC Radio Wales Arts Show tonight at 6:30-7pm. The show is presented by Nicola Heywood and the theme of the evening is Storytelling. It will also be available on 'Listen Again' if you miss it! Josie was asked onto the show after her novel was named Waterstone's Welsh book of the month for August.

The book is of course available to buy on the online shop!

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

More press for Silence...

Josie Henley-Einion is still clearly capturing the public's interest with her fantastic debut novel, Silence, with yet more press - this time a feature in the Wales on Sunday. Concentrating on the fact Josie and her partner were forced out of their home and subjected to appalling and violent harassment, it provides a backdrop to several of the issues highlighted by Silence.

You can order your copy here of Josie's fantastic novel at a special discount:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Tom

Silence in the Sunday Mercury

Josie's interview with the Sunday Mercury was published last week, to read click here! The article talks about how Josie's personal experiences have shaped her writing.

If you haven't managed to read a copy yet...

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Silence - a gripping tour de force!

The fantastic 'Silence' by Josie Henley-Einion has been reviewed in Brighton's LGBT newspaper One80New as a 'gripping tour de force'. Read the article here! Although the review seems to call the book Silences this is an excellent review and includes quotes from Josie herself.

If you haven't managed to yet - Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie Henley-Einion interview

With the debate following Josie's blog on the Guardian website still raging on (three days and over 120 comments now - people apparently up in arms and feet down in support in equal measure (not sure that works but it's Friday so will call in some slack for once)), thought it was a good time to post another interview with the author herself - on the hugely-popular 'Struggling Authors' site.

Enjoy and look forward to keeping tabs with the blog as the response continues (with the Olympics ending and international break on the football, plus bored of publicity for Gary/Paul Gadd/Glitter, it gives me something to keep clicking onto for brief respites from work!).

Tom

PS Lucy is off today if you're trying to get in touch with her – some people with their long weekends, shouldn't really stand for it...

Josie in the Guardian

Josie Henley-Einion's Guardian Book blog is now up, so click here to read. Please feel free to leave a comment on here or the blog! Josie comments on what it is like to be a lesbian author within the mainstream market.

"If I am judged by my book then I hope it is because the person judging me has actually read it, and therefore has a fuller, more balanced picture of what it is to be a "lesbian author" than those two words alone provide."

'Silence' is of course available to buy now from our online shop, along with all our other amazing books for just £5.99 each including p&p.

Order your copy of Silence now - £5.99 

Lucy

Aberystwyth

Josie was signing copies of her fantastic novel 'Silence' at Waterstone's Aberystwyth (I have a massive difficulty spelling this!) last weekend. Here are two pictures from the event. Josie will be travelling to Waterstone's Newport this Saturday for another signing. Josie will also be appearing on the Guardian book blog hopefully later today. If you would like to order a copy of this brilliant book (you do!) then follow the link below.

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie in the Pink Paper

Josie has been mentioned in the UK's largest Gay and Lesbian Newspaper The Pink Paper. They reported the story of 'Silence' being Waterstone's Welsh book of the month last week.

Josie was also interviewed for strugglingauthors.co.uk last week - to read the interview click here.

To order this fantastic book follow the link below!

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie at Swansea...

The Henley-Einion Tour continues for her fantastic novel SILENCE,which is currently Welsh Book of the Month. Following a launch in Cardiff, Josie was at Swansea Waterstone's on Saturday and it sounds like it was another great hit. And as I'm sure was the icing on the cake, I believe book buyers included my father, who coincidentally was on holiday in Swansea for the week. No doubt he asked for a discount!

Order your copy of the hotly-tipped novel right here:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

See Josie reading from Silence!

This fantastic book is hitting the headlines everywhere - order your copy at a special discount below:

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Silence is 'bang on the button'

Josie's novel 'Silence' received two excellent mentions in the press last week in the Metro and the Western Mail:

'"it deals with serious stuff that is bang on the button"

"not one for grannies"

Josie will be starting her mini-tour of Wales this Saturday at Waterstone's Swansea from 12 noon. If you haven't got a copy of this fabulous novel yet, why not order one now?!

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

'Silence' launch

Josie's debut novel 'Silence' launched to a crowd of people and a camera crew at Waterstone's Cardiff on Saturday. Here is a video of some of the event! The book is available to buy now on the online shop now for just £5.99! Order your copy now - £5.99  Lucy

'Silence' promotions across Wales

Ahead of Josie's fantastic novel 'Silence' being Waterstone's Welsh book of the month for August the book is already being promoted front of shop in Waterstone's Cardiff and displayed in the Welsh themed window! Josie is busy doing lots of interviews at the moment and will be doing a mini tour of Waterstone's in Wales in August. 'Silence' is available to buy now from our online shop!

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie's Launch in Cardiff

Josie Henley-Einion's debut novel 'Silence' was launched on Saturday evening at Waterstone's Cardiff to a crowd of friends, family and fans. The event was filmed by S4C and will be shown as part of a documentary interview in September. The event, which was a great success, marks the start of Josie's mini-tour of Waterstone's in Wales to promote her book as Waterstone's Welsh book of the Month for August travelling Waterstone's Swansea (9th Aug), Aberystwyth (16th Aug) and Newport (23rd Aug).

Order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie in the Metro

Josie's novel 'Silence' appeared in the Metro on Tuesday, we should have a scan of the article to be posted up very soon! The book and her launch party this Saturday 26th July at Waterstone's Cardiff also get a mention on the website.

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Diva news...

The news of Josie Henley-Einion's book 'Silence', published this Saturday is making the headlines across the web - with the news story being covered by Diva Magazine.

"It’s great to have my first novel named as Book of the Month. I worked so hard while writing it, without hope of it seeing anything other than a niche market. I am now starting to see the fruits of that labour as it is close to publication. As Waterstone’s Book of the Month, Silence will be in promotions throughout August and I’ll be visiting some of the stores in Wales to sign copies. I wouldn’t have imagined that a book so explicitly lesbian would be promoted in the mainstream, but it is and I’m glad. Here’s to liberation!" says Henley-Einion.

Read Josie's blog here or Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie on HTV

Josie appeared on HTV Wales on Saturday night. We don't currently have a video clip, but here is a still from her interview. Josie's novel Silence is published this Saturday 26th July. The novel is Waterstone's Welsh book of the Month for August - we are planning a tour of Wales for Josie who so far will be appearing at Waterstone's in Cardiff, Swansea and Aberystwyth.

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Josie the TV star!...

Josie will be appearing on ITV Wales next week to speak about her life and hopefully get a good plug for her writing! - Josie's debut novel 'Silence' is out next week on 26th July. We are hopefully going to get some clips for the website, which should be up in the next 2 weeks.

Josie has also be interviewed for S4C, who are possibly also filming her launch party at Waterstone's Cardiff next Saturday. This interview will be televised in September.

Get the book before the rest by pre-ordering at our on-line shop!

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Silence to launch soon!...

Next Saturday 26th July is the official launch of Silence by Josie Henley-Einion- with the launch party being held at Waterstone's Cardiff on the night from 6:30pm. If anyone lives near this is an open event so you are all welcome to come, just email your names to lucyboguslawski@legend-paperbooks.co.uk

This event will be followed by book-signings at various Waterstone's stores across Wales in August to coincide with the front of shop promotions for Welsh Book of the Month!

The book can be pre-ordered now from the website shop!

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

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

And the author of the week is...

Congratulations Josie for winning author of the week! I spoke to Josie earlier to get her reaction:

How does it feel to be Legend Press Author of the week?
I’m ecstatic! And may I say about time too. I imagined that I’d be nominated a lot earlier than that Coles bloke.

Describe your book in 10 words?
Caffienated roadtrip through time&space featuring murder&mayhem, sex, politics and cats. (think I may have cheated a bit with the contractions but it was hellishly difficult to get the whole thing into ten words!)

If your novel could have a theme tune what would it be?
Victims by Culture Club.

Tell us one fact about yourself that we won't believe?
I used to be a young Christian (shocking isn’t it?)

If we weren't asking you questions right now, what would you be doing?
Going to view an allotment that we are planning to rent.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Pink for the earlier years, Madonna for the later, and if I could choose for the future me, that would be Sandi Toksvig.

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Meet the author Josie Henley-Einion

Josie Henley-Einion's interview about her debut novel Silence is now available to view on the Meet the Author website. This post also marks the official unveiling of the cover, which is pretty eye-catching don't you think!

SILENCE is launched on 26th July, but can be pre-ordered now!

Pre-order your copy now - £5.99 

Lucy

Talking about SILENCE

We're very excited about launching the wonderful SILENCE by Josie Henley-Einion in July. Josie came to Legendary fame through having stories published in our last two short story collections, Seven Days and Eight Hours. This is her first novel and we have very high hopes for it. But who can describe it better than the author herself – we were lucky enough to film her a little while ago doing just that. Viola, as I believe they say: