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.
I once read a Jeffrey Archer. I'll get my coat.
I was asked at the Cambridge Wordfest if a writer had to be 'someone' or be the sister/brother/son/daughter of someone to get a book deal these days. Personally I've never read a Jeffrey Archer, Douglas Hurd or a Louise Bagshawe so can't pass comment, but I do know that a lot of authors are on the quest for that elusive book deal, and I wonder if the name is more important than the writing. Jo
No Claire, I have not. Given that I'm working on two writing projects simultaneously, I've found little time recently to read. Havn't seen the film either. Can you tell me a little of who or what is it about?