Matador Marketing News

08 July 2008

View Matador Media Coverage Online

Matador’s press coverage is now available to view online. If you go to our website at http://www.troubador.co.uk/media_articles.asp you can view recent articles featuring books by Matador authors, as well as any company news. If your book has featured in your local paper, online or in the national press, forward the clipping to the marketing team so that it can be included. We’ll also create a link from your book’s page on our website, so that people can click through and read the article online.

27 June 2008

Local book signing organised by Matador author

Matador author Paul Fredrics (aka Paul Arnold and Fredric Alcock) has teamed up with his local Waterstone’s store to sign copies of his book Space Coyotes and the Secret of the Blue Planet. The signing, at the Meadowhall, Park Lane branch of Waterstone’s on Friday 30th May was hugely successful, and is the first of a number of signing events. Everybody who bought a books from the signing received a free poster card pack.

16 June 2008

Matador author performs at Hay Festival

Matador author Glenys Jones has enjoyed the opportunity to read a selection of her poems at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival. Glenys, whose book In the Beginning was the Song was published in September 2007, opened the second half of the Capel-y-Ffin evening of poetry and music with nine poems from her book. She said: “The acoustics were excellent and the atmosphere great as the church was packed. I don't know how the book sales went but the audience was appreciative. I included the title poem In the Beginning was the Song because it suited the Black Hills surroundings.” Glenys was even praised for her “beautiful diction” by a BBC reporter who was interviewing the audience about blasphemy. “My big chance, thought I”, Glenys says. “When the item was on Radio 4’s The World Tonight that night, I wistfully wondered whether he had erased me. I would like to be on Radio 4. He didn't even include what I said about blasphemy: ‘God can take care of Himself’. Still, I've got a foot/voice through the door. Perhaps I'll get on Radio 4 one day!”

27 May 2008

Workshop proving popular in schools

Matador author Nick Handel is seeing his book being successfully sold through schools. Newskids on the Net, which was published in March 2008, is proving very popular with children taking part in Nick’s school workshops. “Many of the techniques used in film-making also apply to writing for the page”, he says. “Today’s children are very media-aware – and getting them to think filmically is a highly effective way of developing their creative writing skills. I do school presentations encouraging 10–13 year olds to break scenes down into ‘shots’ and then describe them; to think about structure; to imagine how the camera would see the actors in different situations; to consider atmosphere, lighting and sound – then there’s the art of injecting pace, mood and variety through editing.” Teacher reactions to Nick’s workshops and his book: “As head of English, I could not have wished for a better outcome. The children are reading more and asking for more opportunities to do creative writing.” “Nick was a source of great entertainment and inspiration for our pupils. He captured the children’s imagination and encouraged them to use visual stimuli as a basis for creative writing. His talk appealed to a wide range of abilities on different levels. He will be returning for our Arts week to take them forward with these disciplines.” What readers say: “I have read it three times and the plot is still as exciting as it was the first time.” - Jenni Brook, Surrey “I don`t normally finish books, but finished this one quickly and loved it. My mum thought I was asleep, but I was reading.” - Hatty Wollard, Dorset “My son loved this book. He was totally gripped by the plot and read it in just a few days.” - Amanda Powell, Warwickshire “Tension dripping from every page.” - Sam Thomson, Surrey

07 May 2008

The Guardian features TV title

The Guardian newspaper published extracts from Ray Fitwalter's new book The Dream That Died on its publication day of 5th May. In his new book, long-serving Granada employee Ray Fitzwalter asks: what has happened to TV? British television has been distinctive, appreciated, even loved - and ITV was central to that. Not any more. The Guardian feature examines the rise and fall of ITV, and particularly the effect that senior management have had on the way that the company developed. The book's release was embargoed so that the newspaper could publish extracts first.

28 April 2008

Praise for Pathways of Life

Pathways of Life, by Matador author Sarah Udoh-Grossfurthner, is being well-received, following its publication in March. The following comments have been sent to the author, praising her poetry: "The poems are simple and unostentatious yet rich with insight. They reflect the transparency of the author and deal with topics that capture her heart and mind. Pathways of Life reveals her to be an affectionate, enlightened and resilient woman; a loving mother and a loved child. A woman who is loyal to Africa and resolute in her faith. I look forward to reading the second volume." - Vanessa Wilcox "Some of [the] writing makes me cry it is so beautiful and I can feel it so much. And, I have to say, that I inwardly groaned a bit at the thought of reading a lot of poetry. It usually is just not what moves me. There are so many I love - most especially Believe - It so speaks to me because I need to believe so badly. It would be so easy for me to NOT believe. And, then, Mirror Image. How could I not love that one. I had bilateral breast cancer (I guess I still do - you always do). I lost all my hair; my breast; had radiation and in the radiation - lost part of my lung. But, interestingly, [this] poem has helped me. I was never mad at the cancer. Somehow I thought I deserved that. It was always how could I help people learn from my experience. I did enjoy that." - Bonnie Welch

28 January 2008

Autobiography generates local interest

A story about the life she shared with her late husband is proving a success for Matador author Jean Moss. Walking Back was published in October 2007 and, since then, Jean has been approached by both friends and strangers who have been impressed by the book. “It’s quite extraordinary,” she said. “My hair-dresser was so intrigued by the story he finds himself thinking ‘Now what happened after that?’, picks up the book and thumbs through it to find out. Many people have made this same comment!” As well as successful sales, the book also seems to be doing well at Jean’s local library.

15 January 2008

Good Reviews for Impeccable Sources

David Brewerton’s first novel has received several glowing reviews, since its publication in December. Impeccable Sources follows the exploits of a young journalist who is desperate to prove herself as a top-notch newspaper reporter after she is given the job of investigating the mysterious disappearance and suspected murder of a millionaire friend of the Prime Minister. Brewerton draws on his own experience, having spent his life working in the media, during which he held senior editorial positions on four national newspapers. "David Brewerton's first novel keeps you wanting to know more… Along the way he conjures up an all too authentic picture of the competitiveness and casual cruelty, not to mention the sheer grungy tackiness, of newspaper newsrooms. His characters – the louche news editor, the eternally absent big-name columnist… remain familiar however much the technology changes." - Amazon.co.uk "The plot is a page-turner in itself, yet it is Brewerton's newsroom characters who steal the show." - Amazon.co.uk review “A revealing and honest insight into the world of the printed media … an investigative thriller with a strong, credible plot, told at a good pace and with a lot of fascinating detail.” - www.materialwitness.typepad.com

20 November 2007

Poppy Appeal donation

The Poppy Appeal has benefited from the sale of Ann Neve’s book Ride upon the Storm. Ann joined the Royal British Legion poppy-sellers in Gorleston's Somerfield supermarket on 10th November, where she donated £4.00 from every book sold to the charity. The group raised £200 in all. On 11th November, Ann was interviewed by BBC Radio Norfolk on a special programme geared to Remembrance Sunday. Ride upon the Storm tells the story of soldiers sent to a remote coastguard station on the Norfolk coast at the outbreak of World War One.

19 November 2007

Plans to publish go full circle for Stuart Webb

Anita Rowe on a roller coaster ride to non-publication Writing Magazine – December 2007 Children’s Author Profile – Stuart Webb Imagine having decided to publish your first young adult novel at your own cost after failing to persuade a mainstream publisher to take it on. Then, on the return journey from a self-publishing house, receiving a phone call from a publisher you’d previously tried in vain saying they were now interested in seeing a revised version. And imagine, only a month later, an acceptance. Sounds like a wish-fulfilment fantasy? This actually happened to Stuart Webb. Acceptance of his first book, Aurora’s Tears, by small but dynamic independent Script Publishing, fulfilled a long cherished ambition. Born in Stockport in 1967, Stuart did not enjoy writing at school, however: “English lessons were full of rules and regulations and endless interpretations of Shakespeare, rather than the use of imagination. As a result, I took little interest. Not because I didn’t want to write – quite to the contrary, in fact – but because I didn’t think I could.” After graduation in electrical engineering at Leeds University he became a powerplant engineer in the aerospace industry. “For the most part my adult life was spent reading rather than writing. But I still harboured that secret childhood desire to pen my own novel.” His first step towards this aim was writing articles for Book and Magazine Collector. “Not only did writing for Book and Magazine Collector help me to hone my writing skills and give me the confidence to take the plunge and start my own novel, it also provided me with some invaluable contacts. A number of authors, whom I featured in my column and got to know as a result, have provided me with the support and advice that every debut novelist tends to need at some point.” Through one of these contacts Stuart succeeded in being signed up by a top London agent. “Unfortunately, however, the mainstream publishers did not share the same enthusiasm for my work as my agent and eventually I was left with a pile of rejection slips and no one to represent me (due to a very amicable split) but myself.” This agent later helped, free of charge, with the revised version that was finally accepted by Script Publishing. Aurora’s Tears was inspired by childhood holidays enjoyed in Cornwall. “For me there is something magical, calming and almost soothing about the Cornish coast. I tried to capture a little of that magic in Aurora’s Tears.” Unfortunately, just before we went into print with this article, Stuart and his publisher were unable to agree on the final contract so he withdrew the book and is now back to square one. How does he feel about this? “Well, everyone said “getting published isn’t going to be easy” and, boy oh boy, were they right. Some people may think me mad to ask to be released from a publishing contract, when we all know how hard they are to come by in the first place. Yes, it was a massive disappointment and caused me much heartache, but there are always people out there who have had it worse. I’ve actually lost nothing during my journey. Indeed I have gained a number of great friends along the way.” Stuart has now chosen to return to self publishing. Aurora’s Tears is due to be published by Matador in April 2008.

15 November 2007

Charities benefit from local book

Three local charities are to benefit after a book signing by Matador author Ann Neve, resulted in the sale of 100 of her books. Ride Upon the Storm, which is set around a remote coastguard station on the Norfolk coast at the outbreak of World War One, features Happisburgh Lighthouse on the front cover. Ann held a signing at the lighthouse itself, before attending the eighth annual Maritime Festival along the quayside at Great Yarmouth. Her book signings and sales have so far raised a total of £400, to be shared between the Coastguard Association, the Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse and Coastal Concern (which raises money to put rocks on the beach to stop the cliffs from eroding). The chairman of the Coastguard Association Stuart Arundel also lent his support to the event, by attending the signing from his home in Lincolnshire.

15 November 2007

Tabloid Praise for the Earl of Cromer

The Earl of Cromer has been praised in the Daily Mail for his book The Son from the West, published with Matador in July. The autobiographical novel looks back at a unique life spent largely in the Far East – the tale of a young man of noble birth who jettisoned the expectations of his famous banking family to strike out on his own. In the Mail, Christopher Hudson writes: “Written with great flair and self deprecating humour... funny, perceptive and disarmingly honest... this is a book that businessmen in the East can read for profit and the rest of us can read for pleasure.” The Son from the West was launched at the Oriental Club in London at the beginning of July.

15 November 2007

European Parliament Launch

Over a hundred people attended the launch of Terry Wynn's new book Where Are the Prophets? held at the European Parliament in Brussels. Until recently, Terry was MEP for the North-West counties, having held the post since 1989, and he narrowly missed being elected as Chair of the European Parliament. This is his second book, and it draws heavily on his time as a politician. Terry said: "The launch went very well indeed. A lot of people turned up .... I'd taken a hundred copies to Brussels and I could have shifted twice that." The book has received some very good reviews, most recently from The Methodist Recorder: "This fascinating book conveys the journey of faith that many make... his stories remind us of the price and value of our democracy." In the foreword, Lord Patten of Barnes said: "I learned a lot from this book, and wished after I read it that I had always been as successful as Terry in balancing the pragmatic demands of politics with the ambitions for us all of the New Testament, which raises our sights far above the lives we are normally capable of living."