The Day After

I'm sorry, I'm just too tired to write up a proper post on yesterday's launch of THE TWELVE at No Alibis in Belfast. I'll hopefully have mustered the energy to come up with a full report by tomorrow. In the meantime, I shall leave you with a few photos from the last twenty-four hours.

First up: On my way to Belfast, I stopped in at my nearest Eason's at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon. Eason's usually put books out before their release dates (unless it's Harry Potter or something), and I'd expected mine to be there before now. But yesterday, there they were, in all their glory. And they're in a primo front-of-store spot right at eye level - I saw them from outside as I was walking up. Here they are:



And this was the moment I've been waiting for - that moment when it clicks that I'm now a published author. It finally hit home. I was a little nervous when I asked the staff if I could sign stock, but I needn't have been - they were very kind and enthusiastic and brought armfuls of them to the counter for me to autograph.

Likewise the Belfast Eason's, though putting the book under 'Bestsellers' might have been a little premature - but I'm not complaining.



Then the very lovely Tamsin at the Belfast branch of Waterstone's, where THE TWELVE will be a book of the month for July, also let me sign stock (incidentally, I bumped into a certain mister John Connolly at Waterstone's as he also attacked a stack of books, pen in hand).



And then, of course, there was the main event: No Alibis. David Torrans had lots of stock for me to sign:




And David may also have had a little something-something I've been dropping hints about...

Amazon Sales Rank: A Fickle Mistress

I did not heed the advice I'd read so many times: do not pay attention to Amazon sales ranks because you'll only drive yourself crazy.

Well, I paid attention, and now I'm driving myself crazy.

It's not that long ago that I was in the millions, occasionally making jumps into the hundreds of thousands, then a couple of weeks ago I seemed to settle in and around the 150k mark. Then all of a sudden I'm leaping up to 30k, 20k, 10k, then I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I might make it into four figures some time before publication - then last weekend came around, and I'm up into three figures, peaking at a majestic 802. This also meant I was charting in the crime/thriller/mystery categories, and got to #49 in the upcoming releases section (thanks to Josie for pointing that out).

I found out afterwards that the weekend's spike was due to being named as one of the best 50 summer reads in a feature in The Independent last Saturday. The 'Customers also bought' bar is almost entirely made up of other titles that were in that list, and I am now 'frequently bought with' a certain Stieg Larsson. That's not bad company, really.

But now I am checking my ranking almost as often as I check my email, even though everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) says not to, it's not a valid number. But here I am, checking again, and I am dismayed to find I have plummeted to the 3-4000 badlands. Still, that's probably not bad a week before publication for a debut novel.

But still...

A Crazy Day

It's coming up on midnight, and I've been sat on this chair (aside from meal, toilet, and exercise bike breaks) since around 9:45am. And how much progress did I make on the new novel?

None. Nada. Sweet Fanny Adams.

Not that I'm complaining, really. I got a lot of promo stuff done today, not least of which was revamping my home page and getting THE SIX, my free downloadable short story collection, online. I also set up a contest while I was at it. Simply by entering your email address at the point of downloading the collection, you could win one of five of the limited run of fifty signed and numbered paperback editions of THE SIX.

There was also some good news today from the publicity folks at Random House, namely that THE TWELVE was named as one of fifty best summer reads in Saturday's Independent. This might explain the sudden spike in my Amazon sales rank that happened over the weekend. The publicity department tells me there is more good news to come, so I shall keep you posted.

Oh, and there's that fabled extra special giveaway I've been bleating on about here for a while. That took a step nearer reality today, so I'm hoping I can post about that towards the end of the week. I've been thinking about the contest - it's going to be something extra challenging, as befits the prize.

And speaking of the end of this week - it may have escaped your attention, but this Friday evening, 26th of June, THE TWELVE will be officially launched at No Alibis, Belfast's famous crime bookstore, on Botanic Avenue. It's a joint event with none other than John Connolly, who will read from his latest sure-fire best seller, THE LOVERS, which Declan Burke reckons is his best yet. Although it's a free event, high demand for seats means it will be ticketed. To be honest, I don't know if David Torrans has any tickets left, but you could always give him a try on 028 9031 9601.

If you can make it, do say hello.

Just a Couple More Links...

Just a couple of links this evening, but they're both goodies, I think.

First, an article about yours truly appeared in The Observer today. Hopefully, a review of THE TWELVE will also appear in the newspaper's REVIEW supplement at some point over the coming weeks.

Second, I've added a new feature to my website: deleted scenes from THE TWELVE. The bulk of them are about Gerry Fegan's early life, and how he came to be a killer, and then tried to turn his back on his old ways.

A more substantial post will appear tomorrow.

Just a couple of links...

Bit of a filler post today, I'm afraid. Well, it's better than nothing, plus I'm saving the good stuff for the weekend.

First, the audio of my interview with Malachi O'Doherty is now online, which opens with our rather bemused sounding reaction to a bus driving past. The interview was conducted in a car parked close to Botanic Gardens, which was fun, and it seems it gives the proceedings a nice acoustic quality. You may find my diction isn't quite as cleat as Malachi's...

And an interview has just gone online at The Book Depository, which was done a few months back. I also did 'My favourite books' piece for them at the time, but I don't know if that's going to appear.

A more substantial post will come tomorrow.

On Publicity

Publicity is a funny thing. Although the distinction between publicity and marketing is, on the surface, pretty clear, I do sometimes struggle with whom to contact on certain issues. What I do know about publicity, though, is that it has a tendency to come out of the blue. Like Christmas time when my PR Hilary Knight put out a fairly straightforward press release about the local-boy-made-good author, and I'm getting phone calls telling me I'm doing an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in half an hour, or guess what, you're live on the radio this afternoon.

Such was the way of it yesterday when I made a stray comment on broadcaster and journalist Malachi O'Doherty's Facebook wall (he was asking about ghosts in contemporary fiction). Next thing I know, I've an interview lined up for a segment on Sunday Sequence on BBC Radio Ulster (a link to the iPlayer version will appear after it airs). Then that interview turns into a double header with another journalist writing for The Observer. Oh, and then a photo shoot which I knew was coming some time, but was hastily arranged to tie in with the visit to Belfast to do the other stuff.

And that's the other thing about publicity: it snowballs. One media outlet gets hold of a story, then another follows, and then another. The trick seems to be getting their attention in the first place. I have some excellent people working away on this as I type, namely the aforementioned Hilary, and Claire Jackson and Kate Bland at Random House, and Justin Hargett at Soho Press.

But it's all good. Even if I hate getting my picture taken, which I had to do today in a public place. A quite busy public place. It was my own fault, seeing as I suggested the venue (the Palm House in Botanic Gardens, where a scene in THE TWELVE is set). Justin the photographer was a consumate professional, I must say. He seemed to have a knack for finding good backdrops, and even foregrounds, and he made me feel about as relaxed as is possible for someone as camera shy as me. I don't know what will appear where, but you may see some shots of me staring wistfully into the distance from behind a greenhouse door in the not too distant future. During the lunch with Malachi, he took this snap, which reveals my horrendous double chin:



I share this because it reveals that, even though I'm as photogenic as a donkey's arse, I'm still quite vain; I put on my glasses as soon as the camera came out because I've got a nice little eye infection, and I thought they might distract from it. And if I look like I'm deep in philosophical discussion, that's probably deceptive; I might well have been debating who was going to get the last chocolate mint on the table.

Malachi made a post over on his blog, which I think is supposed to have audio from the interview, but it's currently not working. Check back, and you might get to hear my dulcet tones as I ramble incoherently about ghosts in modern fiction.

And lastly, still on the topic of publicity, it's looking like I'll be having a little trip through the US of A this October to pimp THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST. Locations currently planned are NYC, Indianapolis (for Bouchercon), Scottsdale AZ, Houston TX, San Mateo CA, then Denver CO for a few days at a convention and a little R&R, and possibly Boston to finish up. It's still to be absolutely and definitely confirmed (i.e. the tickets aren't bought yet), but it's looking hopeful.

Writing Magazine Interview

First of all, thanks to the ever vigilant Josephine Damian who spotted that I didn't post yesterday. And why did I not post? My hectic schedule? Lack of inspiration? Illness?

I just plain forgot. Sorry.

Anyway, this post is just to let my UK readers know there'll be an interview with yours truly, conducted by Adrian Magson, appearing in the July edition of Writing Magazine. Apparently, it should be in the shops any day now, so if you don't subscribe, ask your friendly neighbourhood newsagent for a copy.

What say you now, doubters? Here's what's coming up...

A couple of you have commented on my previous post, pointing out how fine I'm cutting it if I want to meet my daily target - so here I am, getting in just under the wire. A caveat, however - I promised quantity, not quality...

So, what's in store for the next thirty days? Well, hopefully, lots of links to reviews for one thing. There'll also be some contests to win signed books and collectibles. And a few of those books will be very special.

I think I mentioned a while back, I will be offering a short story collection titled THE SIX as a free download from my website. In addition, there'll be a limited run of fifty signed and numbered paperback editions; these will not be for sale anywhere, and some of them will be given away right here on this blog. You'll have to stay tuned for those giveaways.

And also, there might - just might - be an even rarer collectable being given away before the end of the month. These are so rare that I'll only be able to offer one, if at all. Again, watch this space.

My friend Jospephine Damian has hypothesised that I've given myself such an impossible task that I will end up filling blog posts with random YouTube clips. That's a possibility. More likely, I will be post links to articles on other websites, starting tomorrow with one that has had me smiling all day.

In the meantime, here's a small announcement for anyone in Ireland: THE TWELVE will be book of the month for July in all Irish branches of Waterstone's. There will be more retail promotions (I know some retailers have committed to 3-for-2 offers already) over the coming weeks, but I also would like you to consider the great independent bookshops out there, such as No Alibis in Belfast, where... No, hang on, that's a post for another day...

Thirty Days and Counting...

So, it is now exactly thirty days until THE TWELVE is officially released in the UK. To celebrate that fact, I am going to set myself a rather rash challenge: one blog post per day between now and then. Seeing as I'm hardly a prolific blogger at the best of times, that might be a bit of a stretch, but I'm going to give it a go.

Some of the posts will be purely self-promotional, while others will be more philosophical. Some might just be news items about me, or even other bloggers. But I will do my very best to blog once a day until July 2nd.

To kick off, here's some rather splendid news: a fantastic story titled LIVING ON THE BLOOD OF OTHERS by a certain Betsy Dornbusch has just been published in the latest issue of ThugLit!

The Aerin Interrogation

Today I am being given the Seven Step Scoop treatment by the lovely Aerin Bender-Stone - read all about it here.

God Bless Jeff Abbott (and some other folks)

A few weeks back, I was exchanging emails discussing book trailers with Jeff Abbott, the international best selling author of FEAR, PANIC, COLLISION and TRUST ME. Seeing as Jeff turned out to be an exceedingly nice chap, and of course he knows a thing or two about thrillers, I asked if he wouldn't mind having a look at my humble offering. To my delight, Jeff agreed, and today he came back with this:

"An astonishing debut. Brilliantly conceived, masterfully written, Stuart Neville’s THE TWELVE is both a heart-pounding thriller and a stunning examination of responsibility and revenge. He is going to be a major new voice in suspense fiction."

I am, of course, thrilled. Many, many thanks to Jeff for his kind words.

I was further cheered today to receive a sampling of responses that Random House have received from the advance copies of THE TWELVE that were send out a while back. Here are a few snippets:

"What an amazing book! I genuinely felt this book pulling me back like a magnet every time I tried to put it down because I just HAD to know how it was going to pan out."

"The book was superb ... absolutely riveting from 1st page to last."

"A welcome relief from the usual psychopath type novels that have very little plot which seem to flood the market at the moment."

"The Twelve is an excellent example of a work of fiction revealing the truth behind a society in a way that another type of writing might be too fearful to try."

"An absolutely brilliant read it had me hooked from beginning to end"

"Utterly and frighteningly believable."

So, not a bad day, then. Check back soon for my special 200th post.

UPDATE

While I was rattling off quotes, it was very remiss of me to fail to link to this very lovely review by Josephine Damian. Many thanks, Josephine.

Review The Twelve for Prizes!

The UK publication of THE TWELVE is less than two months away now, and I'd like a little help from my blogging friends and those who have received preview copies from Harvill Secker/Random House. If you've read the book, either as a beta reader or received an ARC, please write an online review at one on the many online bookshops, or even on your own blog or website. If you've posted a review online, whether it's good, bad or indifferent, send me an email to info@stuartneville.com with "REVIEW" in the subject line, and include your name and postal address, and I'll send you a signed bookmark and a signed full size colour print of the book cover. And not only that, everyone who emails me will be automatically be entered into a draw to win a very special prize...

To help promote THE TWELVE, I'll be offering a free downloadable short story collection from my website, cunningly titled THE SIX. In addition, a limited run of hard copies will be produced in a paperback format, all signed and numbered. Anyone who emails me about a review they've posted before midnight on 31st July 2009 will be entered into a draw to win one of five copies! So, get reviewing!

Although I'd really prefer readers to support their local independent bookstore,these online shops allow reviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-Stuart-Neville/dp/1846552796/ (note: reviews aren't enabled on Amazon just yet, but should be at the time of publication)

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/9454562/The-Twelve-Stuart-Neville/Product.html

http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/id/The_Twelve/9781846552793

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6501960

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781846552793/The-Twelve

http://www.borders.co.uk/book/the-twelve/1237353/

Or you can post a review to any website or blog - just email me and you'll be entered.

And once again, it doesn't even have to be a good review!

Interview in The Bookseller Magazine

My interview has just appeared in The Bookseller magazine, the UK's publishing trade bible. I'm told it's a big deal to get an interview in The Bookseller, so I am very pleased with my publicist at Harvill Secker, Claire Jackson. I am also very impressed with how Alice O'Keefe conducted the interview, and generally made what could have been a rather scary experience a most pleasant and relaxed one.

The article can be read online here.

My First Public Reading

So, night before last, I did my first ever public reading. It was a strange experience, but one I enjoyed a great deal. There was a decent turnout, and a few familiar faces, such as an old friend I hadn't seen in a few years, and a couple of teachers from my old school.

I remember mentioning to a few published writers I've met before that giving readings was something I was not looking forward to. Some writers do it very well. Declan Hughes and Tana French, for example, both enunciate and project beautifully, thanks I'm sure to their theatrical backgrounds. John Connolly also turns readings into performances of sorts, which I imagine he learned through experience. I've seen video footage of James Ellroy, who plays up to his cantankerous public persona, great showman that he is. I've heard Barry Eisler is also an excellent raconteur, and some have said his entertaining readings have contributed to his great success.

I've seen other writers who mumble and stumble their way through it, and of course the impression they leave is less memorable.

So, where do I stand on the Mumbly Stumbler to Polished Performer spectrum? Somewhere in the middle, I think. I practiced the two pieces I was going to present, reading them aloud, looking for phrases that were liable to trip me up. I'm glad I did, because knowing them beforehand saved me a lot of mistakes. But I should have practiced more; I'd go so far as to say I should have had the pieces close to memorised. This is for two reasons:

1) I didn't make enough eye contact. Readings where all you see is the top of the author's head while they stare at their pages are less than riveting. I did try to look up now and then, and managed it a few times, but nowhere near enough. I think this is the difference between an author performing, as it were, and an author simply reading aloud. It takes eye contact to fully engage the audience, to let them know you're reading to them, not at them.

2) I stumbled when I got distracted. Only a few times, but that was still too many. When I was absorbed in the narrative, it all went smoothly, the dialogue was natural, the prose flowed. But when something pulled my mind away, perhaps worrying about some words ahead, or becoming self-conscious, then I stumbled, misread, and fluffed words. And when you do that, you also pull the listener out of the story.

So, if I may be so presumptuous as to rate my own reading, I'd give it a C. Good effort, but could do better.

That Radio Ulster interview...

Well, that was an interesting experience. I've done radio before in a musical capacity, but I've never been interviewed live on air. Another first was reading my work out loud for others to hear. If there's going to be a first time, I suppose it might as well be in front of tens of thousands of people rather than a handful at a reading! The presenter William Crawley rather caught on me on the hop by asking some rather insightful and intelligent questions, but I think I gave a reasonable account of myself.

Anyway, if anyone cares to have a listen, the BBC iPlayer show is here - though I don't know for how long. The programme starts with an interesting piece for anyone who likes Hunter S. Thompson, and my segment begins around the 8:30 mark.

Interview on BBC Radio Ulster This Evening

Just a quick heads up for anyone who's interested - I'll be interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster's Arts Extra programme this evening at some point between 6:30 and 7:00 GMT. You can listen in on the BBC website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster/ by clicking on the 'listen now' link near the top right of the page.

A New Website for a New Title

I've been a busy boy over the weekend and built myself a brand spanky new website. This is largely because no suitable variant on THE TWELVE was available as a domain name, and the old site needed a good going over anyway. Have a look at the links section - I've tried to include as many people as I could in the rush to get it online, concentrating mostly on authors with specific promotional sites, and I've left the 'Friends' section rather bare. If you'd like a link and I've neglected you, please let me know in the comments.

In other news, I have received editorial notes from my other editor, Briony (yes, I have two editors!), and I have to say I'm astounded at her eye for detail, and slightly embarrassed at all the mistakes she's found. I've got another busy period to come as I work through revising the manuscript.

And finally, just thought I'd mention I'm off to New York in March, and I'm as excited as the first time I went.

God Bless John Connolly, Part 2

I got a very pleasant surprise yesterday evening courtesy of John Connolly, via Declan Burke, by way of Jeremy Duns (whose debut Free Agent will appear next year). It seems this weekend's Irish Times ran a feature where various public figures, some literary, some otherwise, chose their books of 2008. One of those figures was John Connolly, and he said the following:

"Meanwhile, this was a good year for Irish crime fiction, with strong additions from Declan Hughes, Tana French, Paul Charles and Brian McGilloway, among others. I suspect, though, that one of the crime novels of the year in 2009 will be Stuart Neville's stunning debut, Twelve (Harvill Secker, £12.99), which is, I think, the best mystery to have emerged so far from the aftermath of the Troubles. I read it in a single sitting, and it marks a major step forward for the genre in this country."

I am happy.

The full article is here.

The Ultimate Me-Me: the Author Questionnaire

Some of you may already be familiar with the Author Questionnaire - a kind of form you have to fill in for your publisher's publicity department, telling them all about you and your book. I'd heard of them, and was quite looking forward to getting mine, but now it's here and I'm a little perturbed.

It's a bit like an exam paper or a job application. It starts with the easy stuff, like your name, date of birth, that sort of thing. Then you fill in some blurb for the book. Then it gets harder.

The first question I'm struggling with is 'Other Comparable Books'. I've got a couple, but it seems awfully vain. Another is who you think the book will appeal to. Tough one, again. I know you're supposed to know this stuff if you're writing commercial fiction, but it's pretty hard to translate that vague picture I have in my head to a description of a real demographic.

Then there's the book's key selling points. That's like the bit in a job application where you list your key skills. This will take some thought. It's all starting to get a little exciting, though...

Facebook, or the Unending Evil of the Internet

So, I caved and signed up on Facebook. On first impressions, it's a lot easier to deal with than MySpace, but I'm not sure how it compares in terms of marketing. For networking, I still don't reckon there's much to touch good ol' Blogger. Anyway, I've added the few of you I could find as friends. If there's anyone I've missed, do send me a request and I'll rectify the situation straight away.