Have Yourself an If I Never Christmas!
December 22, 2009
Seasons Greetings from all at Gary William Murning Online (okay, that’ll be me, then)! Have a wonderful, safe holiday and I’ll see you in the New Year.
Thanks for helping make 2009 a great year for me!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
That Was the Year That Was.
December 15, 2009
Okay, I’m doing this a little early, I know — but, given that I’m writing again and that my very atheistic Christmas is just around the corner, I thought it best to do it now, while I’m in the mood and have a few moments to spare.
So, welcome to my look back on the year. Or more especially, my look back on my year.
And what a year! It started off like many others, with me knuckling down to start a new writing project, still unpublished and, the economic climate being what it was/is, not really holding out much hope. In late 2008 I’d been working on a project tentatively entitled Tomorrow Will Come and It Will Be Just like Today. It was yet another attempt at finding something different, something more commercial and less likely to be rejected — and as such, it just didn’t feel right. I’d rushed into it without much in the way of planning, a little desperate to find a project that might stand a chance… and by the New Year I was completely convinced that this was a novel I didn’t want to write.
And, so, I resigned myself to the fact that getting anything published for the next eighteen months or so was even more unlikely than it had previously been, given the global recession, failing banks and so on and so forth. The prospects for a new author weren’t bright and so I decided to work on something just for myself — a long project that revisited an earlier novel I’d written and expanded upon it. Something just for me. Hell, if my work wasn’t going to sell, I could at least write something that I got a kick out of.
The planning of what was to become my current work in progress (As Morning Shows the Day — a huge, nostalgic piece that looks like hitting 200,000 words) went extremely well. I outlined in detail and was soon working on the novel itself, happy to be doing something just for me. I hadn’t exactly given up on being published, but it had definitely ceased to be a priority.
Fairly typically where such things are concerned, I suppose, I was a good few chapters in when I received an email from a certain gentleman called Tom Chalmers — the managing director of Legend Press and a man of unrivalled good taste! Tom had read one of my earlier novels, If I Never, and, sure enough, within a week or so I had the fabled publishing contract.
In retrospect — and with the benefit of a rather cooler head (okay, a slightly cooler head!) — it was quite possibly the most exciting and stressful time of my life. I was certain that something was going to come along at any time and throw a spanner in the works. After writing for so long, finding an agent, sacking an agent, submitting and resubmitting, it seemed impossible that I was finally there. And, yet, I most emphatically was. The editing went without a hitch, my relationship with the Legend team felt extremely promising (I actually liked them — and still do!), I was given a say in cover artwork and, all in all, it was and is an extremely satisfying and rewarding experience. On August twenty ninth, If I Never hit the shops without a single problem. The online launch (something I’d fretted about, as I was sure I’d set myself up for a huge fall) went remarkably well — Amazon.co.uk selling out within an hour — and early reactions (and, on the whole, those that followed) were extremely positive. I started the round of promotional work, doing interviews and generally annoying folk so much that they bought the book just to shut me up, all the while editing Children of the Resolution (my next novel) and continuing work on As Morning Shows the Day.
I don’t think I was overly stressed. Yes, I’d had the busiest few months of my life, but I felt like I was coping fairly well. So, naturally, it was a huge surprise to find myself vomiting blood couple of months later, this little episode resulting in a hospital stay during which I was quite convinced that the end was nigh!… I’m making light of it, but at the time it was pretty scary and, yes, for a good few hours, at least, I did think, with good reason, I’d written my last.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Medicated and discharged, and after a few weeks of taking it easy, I found myself back on track — enjoying working again and looking forward to the publication of Children. Looking back, and based on what I’ve been told, I think the stomach ulcers they found whilst I was in hospital probably had more to do with excessive acid production (something with which I have always suffered ) rather than stress. Nevertheless, I took the whole episode as something of a warning. Yes, I’m working as hard as ever, but… well, I’m remembering to breathe! I’m still a control freak and obsessed with detail, but I do it with a less stressful efficiency these days 
Honest.
And that’s pretty much where I am as we approach Christmas and the end of the year. Children of the Resolution has been delivered to Legend and has a tentative publication date of August/September next year (this may change, so watch this space!) I’m happier and more motivated than ever before, halfway through As Morning Shows the Day and already thinking of the next project (working title, Out Of Season.) I feel pretty blessed, I guess. Not only did I manage to secure a publishing contract in 2009, but I also succeeded in getting out of hospital without MRSA! All in all, a pretty good year, I think.
So, it now just leaves me to wish you a happy holiday period — whichever particular brand you celebrate (or don’t, as the case may be!) — and a simply splendid 2010! Be good and remember: if you need a last-minute present, or if that annoying great-aunt who smells of wee has given you loads of book vouchers for Christmas, again, you could do a lot worse than If I Never!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
No Urgency — but Bloody Hurry up!
November 27, 2009
The past fortnight has found me in a suitably strange little place. Uncharacteristically, I have on the one hand felt very laid-back, comfortable in the knowledge that I’m well on schedule with all my projects (even taking into account the unexpected stay in hospital and its aftermath) and quite content to “potter” with bits and pieces of editorial work. On the other hand, however, I’ve started to feel that old, familiar twitchiness — the restless need to get back to my writing.
Briefly, a few days ago, I managed to convince myself that, you know, Christmas is almost upon us and, frankly, well, returning to As Morning Shows the Day (my half-finished work in progress) this side of New Year would be pretty silly, wouldn’t it?
And maybe it would… I don’t know… but, the way things are going, I’ll probably be writing again during December. Just can’t help myself, guvna.
Getting my final draft of Children of the Resolution off to Legend last week kind of underscored my need to return to my work. Still not completely back to full health but needing something to do, I’d worked through the manuscript steadily and methodically, falling back into that other world I had in part created. The autobiographical aspect of Children resonated even more, given my recent illness (you’ll see what I mean when you read it), and even as I found it cautionary I yearned to get back to shaping my characters and fictional vistas. And so, once this project was delivered, I returned to As Morning Shows the Day — merely reading through it at this stage, listening to the voice, refamiliarising myself with it.
Yes, I still occasionally manage to convince myself that this is merely my way of preparing for starting back on it in January… but I’m fooling no one, least of all myself.
In other news, the electronic version (for Kindle, Sony Reader etc) of If I Never is now available here. Pretty excited about this. I’m not a huge fan of electronic books but I know a growing number of people are — and having seen the finished product, I’m beginning to understand why! Looks great… but don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself! (Free readers are also available for PCs.)
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
Here Comes Santa Claus.
November 4, 2009
Shit like this isn’t meant to happen on Christmas Day, I thought. It should be all Tonka toys and The Wizard of Oz on the telly, not piss artists and pederasts.
(Excerpt from If I Never.)
Yes, I know Christmas comes earlier every year — but in the crazy and competitive world of publishing, a little forward planning is, I think, vital. It’ll therefore come as no surprise, I’m sure, to those of you who already know me that I’m now preparing for the Christmas If I Never push.
Naturally, this isn’t something I can do on my own. As I’ve said many times before, success where first-time novels are concerned — especially those published by independent publishers — is highly dependent upon word-of-mouth, the goodwill of those who have read the book and enjoyed it. This is, therefore, a gentle reminder that If I Never is the perfect stocking filler. If you’ve read the book and enjoyed it, why not buy another copy for a friend or family member? Drop me a line, even, and I’ll arrange a personalised, suitably Christmassy inscription. Hell, even if you read the book and hated it — buy it for someone you don’t like!
Also, for the techie types among you, it may interest you to know that the electronic, EPUB version for the Kindle and Sony Reader etc should be out later this month.
This apart, please don’t forget to let me know what you think of If I Never. Maybe write a review on Amazon? It all helps — and, joking aside, your continued help and support is truly appreciated. Cheers!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
Ready, Willing and Able.
November 3, 2009
I recently did an interview with the very impressive disability lifestyle magazine Able. The short interview and extremely perceptive review of If I Never is featured in this month’s issue.
Roundup.
October 29, 2009
I’m still making slow but steady progress. Feeling a great deal better, but still very conscious of the fact that it doesn’t do to push too hard at this stage. The list of good wishes grows ever longer and, once again, I’d like to say thank you; it really does mean a lot. I will chat to you all individually once I’m up to it, but, in the meantime, know that your thoughts have helped considerably and, as ever, are appreciated.
Whilst I have a little energy to spare, I’d also like to mention a few If I Never related bits and pieces that went live whilst I was in hospital.
The first is a thoroughly enjoyable interview I did with Mike from The View from Here (the print version is available early next month, I believe.) Part One can be read here, whilst Part Two is available by following this link.
Secondly, an interview I did with Nick Daws – lovely guy and very generous with his time and writerly information!
Finally… an announcement. I’ve been given permission from my publisher to post this ahead of the official announcement later next month but around mid-November If I Never will be available in e-book format, for the Sony Reader, Kindle etc. Not sure how well it will take off but I’m suspecting it may work well for some of my techie American friends. We shall see.
Tempted to buy myself a Kindle, now!
Herald and Post Article.
October 7, 2009
Today I was featured in the local free paper — great coverage, so should hopefully generate even more interest!
If you’re someone visiting my website for the first time after reading the article, please feel free to comment or ask questions. I don’t bite.
Well, not often
(To enlarge the image, click here.)
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
Borders Pulls Out All the Stops!
September 28, 2009
Today my parents happened to call into the Teesside retail park branch of Borders – the way you do, when you happen to be the parents of an extremely talented author (And, before you ask, no, they haven’t any other offspring!) You can imagine their delight when they discovered that If I Never already has its own very prominent and quite flash display.
My father, ever prepared for such circumstances, whipped out his camera and took a few photos.
The If I Never book display.
Sandra, my mother (left) and and Teresa, the Sales and HR Supervisor (right), lending my gritty novel a touch of elegance.
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
If I Never — Playing with the Big Boys.
September 24, 2009
Today I found myself (okay, not me personally — I was sat at home, taking a breather and reading Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum) — sandwiched between Dan Brown and Nick Hornby in Mcloughlin’s bookshop in County Mayo. My source informs me that it’s actually doing very well for a ‘noob’, thanks, I hasten to add to the excellent efforts of the chaps at Mcloughlin’s themselves, who have been simply wonderful — pushing the book at every opportunity. Cheers, guys!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
What You Can Do.
September 15, 2009
Once a novel has been launched — with all the excitement of people actually receiving their copies and starting to talk about it — there’s a period (which I’m now beginning to enter) when the author starts to wonder if the initial momentum can be maintained and built upon.
I still have a few things ahead of me. More interviews, promised reviews and so on and so forth. But I’m constantly looking for opportunities to discuss If I Never and promote it.
With this in mind, I thought I’d use this post to suggest a few ways that you, my readers, can help — always assuming you want to.
So, if you’ve already read If I Never and enjoyed it, or if you are just interested in what I’m doing and would like to learn more, here are a few suggestions:
- Are you a blogger? I’m always interested in discussing my work and the part it plays in my life. If you’d like to interview me, I’d happily consider it — no blog too small! In this game, it’s the enthusiastic one or two the can make a significant difference.
- Do you run a small press publication? Would you be interested in reviewing? Contact me and I may be able to arrange a review copy. Failing that, once again, I’ll gladly consider taking part in an interview.
- Have you finished reading If I Never? If so, not review it on the Amazon, The Book Depository and Waterstones websites? If you feel comfortable doing this, please bear in mind these few reviewing tips: 1) Pay particular attention to spelling and punctuation. A review that reads “dis buck woz ded gud” probably isn’t going to do the book a lot of good 2) You’re addressing potential readers, not the author. “Oh, you are simply amazing, Gary,” isn’t appropriate. Send comments like that here 3) Try not to give anything away; if you do, however, include a spoiler alert at the beginning of the review.
- Do you write for a college magazine, the parish magazine or any other small, local publication? A free paper? Once again, I love discussing my work and sharing my thoughts on writing, literature and, well, pretty much anything.
- Are you a member of book group? If so, drop me a line here and I’ll do my best to talk my publisher into giving a discount on orders over a certain number of books.
- If you use the Good Reads website or similar, why not discuss my novel there?
- If none of these things apply or appeal to you, but you still want to help, don’t worry — you still can! Word-of-mouth is incredibly important. Books like If I Never (i.e. books without the huge marketing budget of Dan Brown) rise or fall on people telling their friends about it. So, if you’ve read it and enjoyed it, talk about it.
And, finally — thank you for taking the time and interest. Your help and support is, as ever, greatly appreciated.
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
