I’ve been thinking a lot about short stories recently.
Apparently short stories just-don't-sell.
(I stole that from the b(B)luechrome blog)
And I’m interested to know why.
And I’m interested to know why.
So I've been thinking.
If I like an author, then I would buy a short story collection, novella, novel, anything, by that person.
If I don’t know the authors, then I'm less likely to buy a short story collection by them, unless the front cover is stunning.
If I like an author, then I would buy a short story collection, novella, novel, anything, by that person.
If I don’t know the authors, then I'm less likely to buy a short story collection by them, unless the front cover is stunning.
That’s a bit rubbish of me.
I think that bluechrome (is it a captial 'b' or not?) must be looking at ways to save the world, at least from lost short stories.
The Cool EP is the first of four little books to be released by
b(B)luechrome this year.
It contains three short stories, one each from Sarah Salway, Patrick Chapman and Sally Spedding.
And it has a RRP of only £3.
In addition to the tiny price, there is a code printed in the back of every one that gives a 25% discount on any of the three's short story collections, when you buy them from Bluechrome’s website.
Now I think that this is a grand idea. Quite genius in fact.
I’ve never read anything by Sally or Patrick, but I respect Sarah’s writing.
So I’d buy the EP for a number of reasons:
1. Because of Sarah.
2. To be cool.
3. Because it is so cheap and I have nothing at all to lose.
4. I could discover two new talents.
5. It would fit into my pocket.
But, because those at bluechrome are clearly slightly mad, if you buy the Cool EP in the ‘next month or so’, it will cost you £1 (including postage).
But, because those at bluechrome are clearly slightly mad, if you buy the Cool EP in the ‘next month or so’, it will cost you £1 (including postage).
(I’d have bought it anyway for £3)
The numbers are limited.
The numbers are limited.
I’ll be interested to see how this works and am promising to read all four of the series.
Hopefully I’ll find myself a new writer to *heart*
I did this when Penguin did their Penguin 60s series.
I bought all of them obsessively and read each and every word.
I discovered a number of new writers, writing styles, established my tastes and the books look lovely when all lined up together.
And.
There is something rather wonderful about small books.
There is something rather wonderful about small books.
If anyone would like to recommend a short story collection to me, please do.
20 comments:
Sally Spedding's 'Stranger Waiting' and Mo McAuley's 'A-Z Man' are most certainly worth reading, Caroline. Mighty fine writers, those ladies.
May you Easter be filled with laughing Eggs and loving Bunnies.
Yellow Roses and more,
Deboradopta
Short stories are seriously under-rated I reckon especially in this day and age when people complain of having too little time!
Richard Ford's 'A Multitude Of Sins' is fabulous. And I have a signed copy - sigh - I don't know why that makes me so happy, but it does x Also Bernhard Schlink - 'Flights Of Love'.
Deboradopta - it feels like Christmas. I'll search out both of your recommendations (are they bluechrome ones?). Thanking you.
Jon - I am rather excited by the thought of small books, filled with a sample of shorts to read in transit. So why don't people read shorts?
Helen - Signed copies are 'up there' with my most favourite things. I have a special shelf with only signed books on it and I often stroke them lovingly. I'll add your recommendations to my list.
xxx
Well you sold one to me :)
I wasn't sure about using Bluechrome, though. I paid for a 'Your Messages' last November (preorder) and never got it.
Thanks for the heads-up, Caroline.
Oh I just love The Devil's Larder by Jim Crace. I could eat that book, oh yes I could.
Yes, luv, both bluechrome.
Short stories are also perfect at bedtime. Otherwise I will read and read and read until it's time to get the children up. Well nearly. And I am a witch when i don't get my sleep.
jj - Fab idea! I too am a witch when I have no sleep *cackle*
deborah - thanking you x
Missy T - oooooh. A book that needs to be eaten needs to be added to my list.
Leatherdykeuk - not trying to sell them, although perhaps I should ask Mr Blue if I can be on a commission. He may just go for that ... You should tell bluechrome about not receiving an order. I didn't receive RSVineyard and contacted them. It had been posted/lost in the post and they promptly sent me another. And now I can live happily ever after. PS. I still have an envelope to post to you - I will do tomorrow. Promise x
Happy Easter Caroline xx
I more and more appreciate short stories, and am building up a nice collection. If you're into short stories then there are some great pointers (and reviews) on the Short Story Reading Challenge website here : http://theshortstorychallenge.blogspot.com/
L-plate author - thanking you x
Seachanges - thanks so much for the link. I'll check it out.
x
I've none to recommend really, I was put of short stories to some extent because whether through bad luck, poor judgment or just not being in a receptive mood, I generally found them less satisfying than full-length novels.
I realise that it's a different discipline to full novels, so maybe I needed to adjust my expectations. Still, I did enjoy the ones I read from the Penguin 60 series (Will Self being the main one I remember).
Not, I hasten to add, that this will act as any kind of disincentive for me to finally read Disraeli Avenue by an up-and-coming and very talented author, now that I have the time to do so :)
Scuse typo - *put off*
Trousers - mwaaaaaaaah. You lovely tatt man. I do know what you mean though - I love full length novels that get me emotionally involved.
I think reading shorts gives something instant and when done well, they're still hugely rewarding. I liked the Roald Dahl one in the Penguin 60s. I seem to remember it being about a woman killing her husband with a leg of lamb and then cooking it for the policemen. Genius :)
Mwaaaaah back to you too! x
Yes I think that can happen, with what you say about short stories - but I remember reading ones such as Kafka's, some of which at the time at least, felt like mere fragments of some unpublished larger novel. It frustrated me, but then my early twenties might not have been the ideal time to digest Kafka. It might be a different state of affairs if I returned to them now.
I didn't read the Roald Dahl one, though I do know the story since it was dramatized on Tales of the Unexpected - and yes it was great!
I'm also assuming that what I know about Disraeli Avenue and it's relationship with ISoA will mean that the problems I describe above shouldn't be an issue in this case :)
Trousers - mwaaaaaaaaaah again. Kafka terrifies me lots. I was left lacking intelligence.
And DA ... no idea ... you'll have to read and let me know :)
x
Val McDermid - Stranded - is great. The last story in that made me cry and cry. And I know one of the people in that last story which made it even more poignant.
I also just bought 'Drinking Coffee Elsewhere' by ZZ Packer which is a short story collection! How strange when things like that happen.
If you want some more ideas I can send you here?
Also, thanks for the heads up. I will be buying :)
b - thanks honey. Lots to add to my wishlist x
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