This is an interesting time to be a lover of words. We sit poised, the rhetoric of the campaigns still ringing in our ears, yet all the while aware that within days every nuance of every stated principle will be torn apart, whether by fish knife or meat cleaver.
The political speeches turn to political epitaphs; forensic dissection of character as revealed through language and gesture.
Like most of us I find this fascinating, but would hate to put myself through it. Nick Clegg revealed on the campaign trail that he had once written an (‘embarrassingly bad’) novel, and Douglas Hurd penned political thrillers such as Scotch on the Rocks (co-written with Andrew Osmond) and Vote to Kill.
Disraeli of course combined politicking and novel writing, but are writers more than usually underepresented among those who seek election? I think we should be told...
All best, Alison
Alison Baverstock is the author of Marketing your book, an author’s guide (A&C Black) and is course leader of the MA Publishing at Kingston University.
She is speaking at the Writers' & Artists' Insider Guide to How to Get Published conference on Saturday 19 June. Places are limited so early booking is advised »
Her latest book, How to Get a Job in a Museum or Art Gallery (A&C Black), is out now.
Claire, thank you for giving me an idea of what it's about; as I definitely won't be able to see either Ghost or Prelude to Power, though they sound interesting.
Clarke, welcome to the site. I have to agree with you. I’d rather see a writer become statesman than viseversa (I dislike the word politician as it implies a game whereas leadership is serious business and should be treated so.) Though sharing experiences is not always a bad thing, I find interesting things to learn about in some bios.
Also, great site and blog you have. Hope your book does alright.
Xean
5/5/13/2010
Xean - The Ghost is a thriller about a ghostwriter hired to write the memoirs of a former British PM. The movie version's quite gripping, give or take a few poorly realised accents which detract from the drama.
Also on another note, I just heard that Alastair Campbell's diaries 'Prelude to Power 1994-1997' are 18th on Amazon's 'hot future releases' chart. Anyone tempted to pre-order?
I agree with Jo Herbert.
These days, it seems that you can be practically illiterate, or unable to draw a stick, but still manage to get into print if you have a name.
As for representation in politics... I think that there are too many politicians, already doing/achieving too little, and who live in a world that is not a representation of the un-United Kingdom. They should not waste even more time (that we are paying for) by writing about their lives, their failures, or their dreams of success. I thought the market was flooded with misery lit?
They don't save up their energy for 'reveal-all' biographies. They meter it out a bit at a time into several books - perhaps a better marketing strategy, or something that keeps them in the limelight a bit longer?
Gosh, I shudder to think that even more politicians may end up as authors. Please writers of beautiful literature - get there first!