Three cheers, two stools and a resounding huzzah for the PR folk at Harcourt Houghton Mifflin, who have been beavering away behind the scenes jazzing up THE BIG O’s Amazon.com page. Apart from the unseemly blight of the Publishers Weekly review, which is the only negative review THE BIG O has received in the 18 months since its first publication, and that on the basis that it’s not up to Elmore Leonard’s standard (!), the page now features quotes from Kirkus Reviews (starred), Crime Spree magazine, Jason Starr and John Connolly. Which is nice. The real bonus, though, is that they’ve also uploaded the first few chapters for your perusal. Which means, given that the chapters are dialogue-heavy and average out at about two pages each, that you could have read the first three chapters in the time it took you to read this load of muck. Anyhoos, the link is here if you’re so inclined, and any and all feedback will be gratefully received …
Meanwhile, with just under a month to go to the official publication date, I’m wondering if this isn’t as good as it gets. The book is pristine, HHM have created a wonderful cover with which I am well pleased, the advance reviews have been fantastic (PW notwithstanding), and the generosity of various media outlets across the interweb offering promotion opportunities has been well-nigh staggering. In fact, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just go ahead and pull a Lord Lucan and bow out while everything is still going so well. Any pithy words of advice, o sage and all-knowing readership?
Kirkus. They're the people who know what they're talking about. Kirkus.
ReplyDeleteBow out? No.
ReplyDeleteCheers, folks, much obliged. But I've been thinking about it all day and the prospect of pulling a Salinger on a Greek island is a tasty one ... especially given the Irish weather. Although the sun is actually shining right now. Yep, that's right - it's August in Ireland, and the sun is actually shining. Three cheers for global warming, eh? Cheers, Dec
ReplyDeleteAlmost every day on the news here in Canada we see shots of the arctic and talk about what moves are being taken to assure our "soveriegnity" over the new trade route opening up.
ReplyDeleteLokking on the bright side, I guess...
Trouble with global warming is where to actually pull this Salinger? No, better off to just keep at it where you are (though I've sure had the same thoughts about bowing out recently myself).
Dec
ReplyDeleteHow dare you compare yourself to the fantastically moustachioed Lord Lucan, you who don't even have a hint of stubble. No, Mr. Burke, I know Lord Lucan (I'm pretty sure he works in the St Kilda chip shop), Lord Lucan is a friend of mine, and you, sir, are no Lord Lucan.
A..
I say take the money and run. I know a good wheel man. Just say the word and count me in for a split.
ReplyDelete