Apparently there's going to be something in it about the first Macmillan New Writing titles on Friday (mine included!). Don't know what they're going to say, how positive or negative. I don't subscribe, but I'll have to try and get a copy. Not that easy where I live. I've tried before and failed. Maybe it will be in the online version?

And so it begins...

I know, it's a beast to get hold of if you don't subscribe. A lot of their website content is subscription only, but by no means all. County and central libraries quite often have it, though branches not, I think.

Incidentally, my editor at Headline said she certainly didn't scorn MNW, and could see the logic behind it.

Emma

Most bookshops will let you look at their copy if you ask nicely. Maybe they'll even photocopy a few pages for you, as a local author...?

Hope it's nice and positive for you.

Luisa

Thanks Emma and Luisa. I might go into the local bookshop and strike up a conversation with the people there. Could be a good way to make contact and will test my shameless quotient to the max. I am quite good at being shameless online (as some of you may have noticed!) but it's another thing when face to face with real bookshop type people. I will probably come over all mumbly and blushing. Still it might be material for my blog. (There, you see. I told you I can be shameless online.)

Roger, it occurs to me that from the publicity/marketing point of view, MNW puts you in something of the same position as a self-publisher - it's up to you, largely - so some of what Alex Hazel's been posting lately might be relevant.

Emma

Yes, there are some good ideas in that thread. MNW is slightly different from self-publishing, I think, in a number of ways. For one thing, the Macmillan UK marketing and sales departments are involved. They are getting behind the books - the reps are already out there selling them, enthusiastically I'm told, and with good results so far. Macmillan are will be sending out review copies, including all the big nationals. I think, given the controversy of the scheme, there will be interest, at least in the first titles. I have someone at MNW working with me, organising readings etc at local bookshops, and also contacting local press on my behalf. The input I am providing is by telling her the names and addresses of the bookshops I know of. But she comes from North London anyhow, so she has a fairly good local knowledge too.

The thing to remember is that Macmillan are determined to make this work. They are not going to abandon the writers to fend for themselves. Of course, budgets will be tight. This is quite often the case for first time novelists. And sometimes the money that is there is not spent as wisely as it could be. We shall have to see.

I've managed to access the online version and there's absolutely nothing in it about MNW, so sorry about the false alarm. My publisher was under the impression they were going to run a story. Maybe it will be in next week?

<Added>

No - I was wrong. There was a story in the news section and they even showed my cover!!!! I followed Luisa's advice and went into my local bookshop. The lady was most helpful. Jotted down the title and my name and took a note of the release date, then tore out the page from the bookseller and gave it to me! Can't say fairer than that, can you.

Of course, they are spinning a story that isn't really there, which is quite funny. They are saying that Macmillan have 'upgraded' the imprint, providing more editing than they were originally going to. But this is a bogus story as the books they released were never going to be under-edited. A willful misunderstanding of their position - which is, was and always will be that they will not take on books that need massive editorial overhauling. Anyhow, if you get a chance, check out the story.