There's a letter in today's Times from the author Graham Swift, cleverly linking his latest novel (left) with yesterday's leading article. Now, I may have a small axe to grind - of course I have - because most of us cannot hope for our novels to be mentioned in the Times (this novel received a good review in the newspaper). But Swift's letter made only a tenuous point, and it seems to me that the Times has colluded in a piece of shameless self-advertising.
So what have I done? I've written to The Times, of course, mentioning that while I can find no link whatsoever between my novels and its leading articles, they are welcome to mention my name.
Well, it was worth a try...
Oh, I am quite sure that, if you think long enough, you will find something in one of your novels to construct a link to the leading article :-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't everything somehow linked to everything else anyway?
Good for you, Frances! Anything's worth trying. I've thought often and often that those who are trying to get published or publicised deserve more than just a chance. There must be a lot of good writing being missed because the writer isn'twell known, or not known at all. Of cours you could always try taking all your clothes off and running across your nearest motorway. That might make The Times
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right, Librarian, but I've done it now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosamund, but my agent has said no to any streaking publicity stunts (I thinks she thought I was serious!).
It's worth it just to be able to mention "In a letter I wrote to The Times..."
ReplyDeleteGood Going Girl! I'm sure you could come up with some link between your novel, Titch and the Times' sport papers too. never look a gift horse in the mouth as they say...LOL
ReplyDeleteYou know they'll start hacking your phone now don't you?
ReplyDeleteHi, English Rider. Actually I have quite a good strike rate with letters to the Times (everything from the death penalty to spiders in the bath), but I don't think this one will make it! I haven't even looked this morning. BTW what kind of horse do you ride?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jarmara. Titch says this is an excellent idea, and that he's as good as any racehorse, eventer etc, but then he has delusions of grandeur. And he's still lame.
Keith, they can hack away. Sadly, I have nothing interesting to hide.
Yeah, I'm sure we could come up with a link if we all put our heads together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Colette (and they didn't publish my letter. I would have been astonished if they had!).
ReplyDelete