I've been a bit busy recently. Very distracted. And now it turns out I've completely forgotten to mention the fact that I've got another book coming out. It's called A Gentle Axe, written under the name R.N.Morris.
I got an email from Lucy, the press officer at Faber, today and she said: "Start shamelessly plugging A Gentle Axe on your website." That reads to me like an order, so here am. I'm nothing if not obedient.
It's a historical crime novel, which has Porfiry Petrovich, the detective from Crime and Punishment, as its hero in a sleuthing yarn. Yeah, I know. A mad idea. Cheeky isn't the word.
It comes out in the UK on February 1st 2007. You can pre-order it on amazon now. (The US edition, which will be published by The Penguin Press, comes out March 22.)
I really hope that Dostoevsky, wherever he is, has a sense of humour.
17 comments:
Roger, you've kept this very quiet!
Tell us more.
How does it relate to the new writing intitiative - or is it an entirely different process for R.N. than for you.
When did you actually write it, etc, etc.?
You can't just casually mention that you have a new book coming out, as if you just found it under a gooseberry bush. I want to know how it got there!
And, do I need to have read Crime & Punishment in order to understand it?
Well done, Roger. Looks like a nice cover. I'll order a copy forthwith.
Thanks Paul and Ian.
Paul - yes, I suppose I have been a bit quiet about it. I don't know why really. Just never seemed like a good moment to bring it up!
R.N. is getting published with a different publisher to Roger. The two of us had books out there at the same time - through different channels. One yes (Roger's) came through, and then the other one. That came about because I submitted Taking Comfort to Macmillan New Writing myself at the same time as my agent was trying publishers with Gentle Axe. It was written, Jeepers, a long time ago now it feels. 2004-5, must be. It's been in production for over a year, during which time I've been concentrating on writing the next one and trying to whip up some interest in Taking Comfort. The publication date has kind of crept up on me. I will probably post more about this in the coming days. If I get a chance. Mind you, we're rapidly approaching Christmas, as you may have noticed. Oh, and you most definitely *don't* need to have read Crime and Punishment before you read it.
Love the idea, Roger. Look forward to reading it. I hope it does really well for you.
Thanks Tom. One of mine too!
Wow, Roger, how exciting! Good luck with this. I will buy a copy.
Aliya
Thanks Aliya - in fact, double thanks!
Wow.
I like it already - don't think you're cheeky to use FD's character. I've always wanted to write a sequel to Kafka's The Castle, myself...
Congratulations Roger!
I've known the book was coming out soon, but surprised you haven't done more plogging for it! And it's great to finally see the cover work for "A Gentle Axe".
Have a great Christmas
Matt
Thanks B&B, James and Matt.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support. Merry Christmas to all! (I'm going to try and enjoy myself, instead of stressing about one book or another!)
Excellent news! Look forward to hearing more details and wish you loads of luck ...
Think we should designate 2007 as the year of wish fulfillment!
Thanks Debi. Yes, that's a good idea. Though they always say, be careful what you wish for!
I still don't quite get the R.N. / Roger thing, but will look forward to the new book.
Seasonal Greetings.
rashbre
Rashbre - the R.N./Roger thing is basically because the two strands of my writing are very different. Historical crime versus contemporary urban fiction. It was felt that booksellers (nore than book buyers) would get confused and not know where to place the books in the shop. It's a little like Iain Banks and Ian M. Banks. You know what you get with each author. I hope to write another Roger Morris book at some time in the future - but for the moment, being R.N. will probably take over.
Hi David, thanks for the kind wishes and the order! Congratulations too on becoming MNW's first US-resident US author!
Hi Roger,
A happy new to you and yours!
With all the best to come in 2007, I hope!
Best,
CFR
Hi Roger
New book sounds great. I'll be getting a copy. Good title too, intriguing.
Best of luck with it, or is that bad luck saying that like in theatre land if so, break a leg!
Cate
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