Skip to main content

Written Off - Paul Carroll

 


Description

With more people writing books than reading them, who’d be an author?

Four disparate, aspiring authors dream of getting their work published. As they strive for a breakthrough they are unaware that, in the world of traditional publishing, editors, agents and authors have enough problems of their own. The odds are stacked against success on both sides of the fence. The only person who seems to be doing well out of the writing game is the owner of The Write Stuff, a company selling ‘how to get published’ help to would-be authors.

Inevitably, all roads eventually lead to The Write Stuff’s annual weekend writing conference. As the wannabe wordsmiths attempt to scramble on the ‘up’ escalator to literary stardom, will they notice the tragic author of many years passing them in the other direction?

As the conference builds to an explosive climax, who’s going to start a new chapter in their life and who’s going to remain stuck on page one?

Review

Just brilliant - I really enjoyed this book as it was something a little different.

The book introduces us to four aspiring authors. The unfortunately named aging journalist Eric Blair, who maybe has a name to live up to before he's even written a word. Alyson who is already a writer of erotic fiction but wants to swap genres. Con who thinks he's the next great Irish writer and Bronte who is yet to write her opening chapter, but just knows she needs the Write Stuff conference to get her started.

What follows is a close up look at authors, agents and the publishing industry. Many times throughout the book I laughed out loud at the wry and acerbic humour. So many brilliant one liners. There are a few sub plots going on too. One is a real down to earth look at what might seem like harmless office fun until it's seen from a different view point.

All the characters felt believable and so did the settings, especially so when HR got involved. Throw in the established author, his agent and publisher and the whirring admin wheels of the Write Stuff conference with it's host Chapman Hall, and you have a front row seat to a fabulous sight. I think Chapman was my favourite character. He's a real wheeler dealer always looking for the next big literary money making scheme.

The book culminates in the main characters all being at The Write Stuff conference in a sort of Agatha Christie Manor House setting. Who will get a book deal? Who will find a new upcoming author? Who will keep their job? 

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the author for a copy of the book to review.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done - Sophie Hannah

  Description The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read? A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members? Both? Or something else altogether? You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out… You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…' Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right? Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to. No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will… 'An incident involving a dog in a small village escalates to an all-out conflict, turning neighbour against neighbour, and culminating in murder. Bu...

The Dilemmas of Work Women - Fumio Yamamoto

  Description The classic Japanese bestseller published in English for the very first time -  a darkly funny and relatable book portraying the lives of five women 'Witty, wise and thought-provoking' Cecelia Ahern 'Crackles and pops with humour, empathy and intelligence' Lisa Owens, author of  Not Working 'So brilliantly written that I kept trying to memorise sentences in order to repeat them to people later' Roxy Dunn, author of  As Young as This Izumi  needs to get a job. Haruka  needs to stop talking about how she once had cancer. Katō  needs to get through a shift at the convenience store without being harassed. Mito  needs to break up with her boyfriend - or marry him. Sumie  just needs somewhere to live. In this classic Japanese bestseller, published in English twenty-five years after it took Japan by storm, the lives of five ordinary women are depicted with irresistible humour and searing emotional insight. Review A collection of short ...

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder - Louise Candlish

  Description A gripping new thriller from the author of  Our House,  packed full of stunning twists! ‘Louise Candlish has a gift for examining hotly topical issues with intelligence, wit, and a keen eye for observational detail.  A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder  is a smartly constructed psychological thriller with a wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’  Lucy Clarke ‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner.’  Liz Nugent 'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!'  Isabelle Broom ‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’  Nikki Smith 'Louise Candlish excels at issue-led plots. A clever “through the keyhole” take on neighbours.'  Jane Corry 'Meticulously plotted with twists and turns aplenty. It's a truly addictive read.'  Hannah Beckerman Her secrets will be the death of you. It’s rare for a r...