Solidus

Keith Colquhoun

2010-07-12T06:54:00.002+01:00

I have been shocked to hear that Keith Colquhoun died two days ago. It is characteristic of him that I knew nothing of his illness, despite having just published his latest book, Five Deadly Words. His novels defied categorisation; could breath humanity into the most unlikely characters and do so with a somewhat wicked gleam. The stories were curious and strange, and always enjoyable. My thoughts are with his family.

Oddly empty at the London Book Fair

2010-04-22T11:04:00.002+01:00

Volcanoes are wonderful and strange, and Eyjafjallajökull directly impacted the London Book Fair which was bizarrely quiet. On the upside, it was easy to get a cup of coffee. The access and organisation seemed to me far better than last year, and it's a shame that a lot of thought had obviously gone into helping the flow of people, only for there to be no flow!
Once again, I was struck by the sheer volume of books out there. I doubt if you could read every book under that roof in several lifetimes. I focussed on e-book production and there were plenty of people reading the tea leaves in an attempt to get a grip on this exciting future. It's fast becoming very real, and there are some innovative ideas out there that convince me that digital books are a real benefit and a huge addition to the world of literature as well as for newspapers, magazines and text books.

Cinema Blue launches

2010-04-16T09:32:00.005+01:00

Beautiful sunshine accompanied Sue's launch in North Berwick on Monday - and 100 people turned up to hear her read from Cinema Blue and sign copies of the book for them. It was a lovely evening in all ways. Listening to Sue reading reminded me just how very good her book is - it was obvious in one passage that many people felt quite emotional.

Drew Campbell chaired a discussion and really helped it to come alive. There's quite an amazing bunch of talented writers in the North Berwick area - clearly the beautiful surroundings work wonders for creativity.

Mibit competition officially open now

2010-04-03T17:17:00.002+01:00

The new short story writing competition, MiBiT, officially opens today. There are currently three short stories: 'The Lost Boy' by Margaret James, 'Snow' by William Bedford and 'Nowhere to Hide' by Ruth Dugdall. You can send your MiBiT from the site until next Tuesday, and the stories will be extended by next Saturday. See how these stories evolve, and add your contribution.

The Wilding - Maria McCann

2010-04-03T17:15:00.003+01:00

I've nearly finished reading Maria's excellent book: The Wilding. Deservedly long-listed for this year's Orange Prize, this is a terrific story beautifully told. As in As Meat Loves Salt, the language perfectly evokes the historical period without ever being difficult or irritating to read. I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but for Maria's books I make a very honourable exception.

New novel from Sue Rullière

2010-03-25T11:21:00.000Z

Sue's new book will be published on 8 April, but it's available to pre-order both at Amazon and on the Solidus website. This is a fascinating and haunting story. Set in Paris it will appeal to any Francophiles out there, and with lots of references to Magritte for all surrealists. But it is essentially the story of a young woman attempting to erase a past that threatens to engulf her.

Our writing competition starts soon

2010-03-25T10:51:00.000Z

Don't forget that the new writing competition starts on 3 April. There are three great stories waiting to be told - send in your contribution and watch how they unfold.

Solidus and The View From Here magazine

2010-02-18T11:37:00.000Z

To find out a little more about Solidus and our involvement with new technology in publishing, take a look at The View From Here magazine link where you will find an article I have written called 'Two Worlds Collide'. In fact, check out their website anyway - it's always interesting and lovely to look at, and you might want to subscribe to their printed magazine too.

Back from Nicaragua

2010-02-18T11:34:00.000Z

There has been a break in transmission whilst I visited my son who farms an area of jungle in Nicaragua (up a bit and to the left of the Panama Canal in case you're wondering). Spending a few weeks in the Third World gives you a new perspective on life when you return - I recommend it.
My final weekend out there included visiting a cultural festival in Granada (the second city of Nicaragua) where amongst other wonderful things I saw a circus presented by former street-children from Costa Rica, given new skills and new hope by circus-skilled volunteers, and also heard some amazing music in the best outdoor concert I've heard for a long while. Bands from several Latin American countries playing in an old colonial square under a gleaming full moon. Heaven.
I even had some time for reading just for enjoyment - also heaven. I chose Audrey Niffeneger's latest book, 'Her Fearful Symmetry'. I didn't think it had the originality of 'The Time Traveller's Wife' but it was a very good read nevertheless. I found I was willing to believe in ghosts for the purposes of the book, and to enjoy the new perspective that this lends to the lives of the characters.
Back now at Solidus, and getting excited about some upcoming new titles - Cinema Blue, by Sue Rouilliere is nearing publication, and Paul Sayer's 'Like So Totally' is under-way for May.

Great review for William Bedford

2010-01-10T10:41:00.001Z

Sunk Island Review has published a wonderful review of William's book, None of the Cadillacs was Pink. But since it's a wonderful book, that's not hard to do. Anyone who has the beginnings of Rock n Roll in the beginnings of their life will enjoy this book, but I think it would also be fascinating for younger generations to read. Not just for the origins of music in the everyday lives of people, but for those everyday lives that were lived in a time that seems unnaturally distant.
Read the review at Sunk Island here: http://sunkislandreview.blogspot.com/2010/01/none-of-cadillacs-was-pink-william.html

Cotswolds sink lower

2010-01-06T11:38:00.000Z

There must be at least 8 inches of snow outside, weighing down the branches and revealing views not usually seen. As much again to follow today, they say, so no-one in this village will be moving around other than by foot for some time. The local pub is having a quiz night tomorrow so that is the highlight of our current social calendar, and I say that really without tongue in cheek! The atmosphere will be great - I hate this weather, but it brings out the best in our community.
Thank heavens also for computers and broadband - I can still press on with my work and be in contact with the outside world. Five new books slowly nearing their publication dates, and three recently published to be promoted. The new Solidus MiBiT competition to get off the ground, and several books waiting to be turned into eBook versions of themselves. Exciting times ahead - this year will really start to pay off for those of us who are techno-philes.
If any writers out there are similarly house-bound, I should love to receive some starting paragraphs of short stories for inclusion in the MiBiT competition: www.mibit.co.uk

Elegy for a Queen in top five time-slip novels

2009-12-31T12:03:00.001Z

Margaret James's excellent novel, Elegy for a Queen, has been chosen by Woman and Home as one of their Top Five time-slip novels. Solidus published this book a few years ago, but it is in constant demand, and next month it will be available also in hardback. This novel is a great read, and I'm very glad to see it being acknowledged in this way.
Read the Woman and Home article here

The View From Here

2009-12-22T08:40:00.000Z

I don't know why I've never come across this site before, but if anyone else is similarly living in the dark ages, I suggest you get yourself over to this excellent literary magazine site pronto. No, this isn't an advert, it's a genuine recommendation. Of course, you could also check out the Solidus website whilst you're at it, and our Blog too. And don't forget the amazing competition that will be coming in the New Year.

Short story competition

2009-12-15T20:40:00.002Z

Very soon, Solidus will be launching a new kind of short story competition. Links from this site later.

The future?

2009-12-03T08:39:00.001Z

Yesterday I attended a sell-out conference about the future world of digital publishing. The room was packed with publishers, booksellers, distributors, authors - anyone who will be affected by the changes that are heading our way. Fast.
It was an extremely upbeat mood - in the past I have found the book industry to have their heads firmly in the sand, but there is a new feeling around. The world has changed and there is now a recognition that we must move fast and find out how to adapt and thrive. I arrived in the morning with a fixed idea in my head of simply turning the books on the Solidus list into straightforward eBooks, and making them available in a general sort of a way. I left with my head bulging with ideas about where the opportunities that were described could take Solidus (and its authors). Everyone I spoke to was most surprised by the astonishing inroads being made by big players like Vodafone in the world of books on mobile phones. Huge numbers were bandied about: the Japanese apparently have taken to books on phones like ducks to water, and we may be next.
I can hear the gasps of horror! I couldn't do that - I want a nice book in my hand - you can't read things on a tiny screen. If you ain't tried it, don't knock it! I carry my eReader everywhere with me (it's slim and lightweight) and now I can read snatches of any of the books or documents I carry with me in any spare moments. Train delayed? Who cares! I've got lots of good books with me, and some work too. The technology is moving faster than we are, and the presentation is fantastic.
I'm not proposing the death of the book - I'd hate that to happen! But just as I might choose in my living room to sit back, turn on the old CD player and revel in some music from some large speakers, I also want to hear stuff in my car. I want both.
Best of all, I found there were now other publishers out there like me - keen to embrace change as well as keeping their standards high, to give readers every opportunity to enjoy books.

None of the Cadillacs Was Pink

2009-12-01T16:05:00.002Z

This year I've published my selected poems and selected short stories. It feels a bit like two gold watches and a tombstone. I chose the title None of the Cadillacs Was Pink for the selected stories because on the American nuclear base where we lived none of the cadillacs were pink. I dreamed of seeing a pink cadillac, because Elvis Presley had twelve. And that sort of summed life up. Now None of the Cadillacs Was Pink has won the November voting for The People's Book Prize, so thanks to Helen Miles and Solidus, at least some of my cadillacs have turned out pink. And I have two gold watches.

William Bedford wins the People's Book Prize for November

2009-12-01T12:20:00.000Z

William Bedford's collection of short stories and essays has won the November contest for The People's Book Prize. This is a wonderfully atmospheric book that will appeal both to those whose personal memories encompass the early Rock 'n Roll years and the Cuban missile crisis, and to those who are curious to find out about growing up in the Fifties. But crucially, it is a representation of the lives of ordinary people, made extraordinary by the fine writing that 'None of the Cadillacs was Pink' represents.

Laura Solomon short-listed for the Proverse Prize

2009-11-27T09:59:00.000Z

Laura Solomon's book, 'An Imitation of Life' was published by Solidus in October. Laura has won many prizes for her work, both for poetry (the Bridport prize) and for her novels and plays. It has just been announced that her new novel has been short-listed for the Proverse Prize, for which the winner is awarded a publishing deal for that book. We wish her every success for the final: the award ceremony is in April.

Laura Solomon

2009-11-21T07:36:00.002Z

Listen to Laura talking about her book and the inspirations behind it on New Zealand radio. This interview starts with another author, but the programme as a whole makes interesting listening. I notice the style is very relaxed, giving the authors time to respond rather than the endless "have to hurry you" approach of many BBC programmes these days.

The book, by the way, is very funny and surreal - points that aren't emphasised on this otherwise excellent programme.

Edith Wharton

2009-11-19T14:57:00.000Z

Have given up trying to find quality new books for my Sony Reader and made a start on one they throw in for free - just the first page of an Edith Wharton made me remember what a fantastic writer she is. If you've never read her, you're in for a treat.

Sony needs to get its act together

2009-11-18T16:34:00.000Z

And finally I find that Sony's ebook store doesn't work in the UK. And yet they are selling the Readers here and allowing us to see their ebook store - just not buy any books.

This has been a sharp learning curve.

E-books

2009-11-18T14:57:00.001Z

My Sony Reader arrived with 100 free books to download - I found about 20 that I might read. So set off to download some from the internet. This eBook revolution will never happen if everyone keeps on being so coy about giving us access. Waterstones list 18.000 ebooks on their website - alphabetically, or by reader recommendation. I can't search for a title or an author. Why would I want to spend hours of my day looking through 18,000 books for the ones I might like to read?
Amazon don't have a category for ebooks.
Ebooks.com have a searchable website, but they want me to pay $25 for a Kate Atkinson that I can buy from Amazon in paperback for £5.19.
Fictionwise.com have a nearly incomprehensible price structure, offering something called a Micropay Rebate, but if I join their 'club' I will only have to pay $14.53 for the same book.
Sony's own site is quite good and pleasant to use, and their prices are a bit more reasonable. It's hard to understand why one would pay as much or more for an ebook than for a real paper copy.

I wonder why more people aren't buying ebooks???

eBooks

2009-11-16T10:18:00.000Z

Since I'm attending a conference on eBooks, the time has come to buy a reader - I just needed a good enough excuse. For me it will be an end to reading submissions on printed sheets and being able to take them anywhere with me and read them at any time. Wonderful!
Solidus's first eBook will probably be the magnificent 'An Imitation of Life' by Laura Solomon. If you haven't read it yet, you're in for an absolute treat.

Waterstones controversy

2009-11-14T19:51:00.000Z

The Guardian's long article on the supposed evils of Waterstones has had two loyal letters of support in the paper today: I've found them to be more difficult to interest in local authors since their managers lost their autonomy, but there are still some very keen staff in some shops, and the fact is they will offer time and space to authors. But if you want an example of the best possible bookshop, then Toppings of Ely, who are also in Bath, provide the ultimate book-loving service.

The People's Book Prize

2009-11-13T12:24:00.002Z

Solidus is proud to support The People's Book Prize. We have one title each for October, November and December - why not visit them and comment / vote for your favourite?

Keith Colquhoun's new book to be published in 2010

2009-11-12T22:29:00.002Z

Following the wonderfully quirky 'Beyond Reason', Solidus is pleased to be publishing Keith Colquhoun's latest book, 'Five Deadly Words' in 2010. Readers are promised a very different story, but with all the elements of Keith's witty prose and keen observation of unusual, larger-than-life characters.

Solidus signs new authors

2009-11-12T22:25:00.002Z

Ruth Dugdall, Sue Rullière and Paul Sayer are the latest authors to be signed to Solidus.

Ruth's book, The Sacrificial Man will be published in the autumn of 2010. This will be an unusual partnership, since Ruth has just also won the 2009 Luke Bitmead Writer’s Bursary, so that her novel, The Woman Before Me, will be published by Legend in the summer of 2010. Solidus is pleased to be liaising with Legend in this venture.

Sue Rullière's book, Cinema Blue, will be published in the Spring of 2010. Set mostly in Paris, this book brilliantly captures the damage that can be done within an unequal marriage. The vivid depiction of Paris evokes the city almost as a character in the novel.

Paul Sayer, winner of the Whitbread Prize in 1988 for The Comforts of Madness, has written a remarkable book called Like So Totally, told from the point of view of a young girl who observes the various abuses of her life from a chillingly teenage perspective. Publication date is yet to be decided.