Matt Suddain's Blog

Friends, it looks like I made the lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng list for this year's Not the Booker Prize. That's right, I was pre-nominated for possible inclusion in a shorter long-list for those not nominated for a prestigious literary award. Glory is dripping off me. Now, I'm not one of those authors who harangues his friends and followers to vote for him in stuff. But if you enjoyed Hunters & Collectors, or are in the throes of enjoying it, and want to vote for it, I wouldn't object. All you have to do is register, agree to call your first-born The Guardian, and post a review of 100 words or more. I am grateful. All the best, Matt.

[WARNING: When you click on this link you'll see a slightly terrifying photo of China Mieville. Don't be frightened, he's just trying to intimidate you into voting for him.]

https://www.theguardian.com/books/boo...

I'm a big fan of forums like this, but what warms my heart most is when I'm in a store and I see young people pack-shopping for new books. There aren't many more uplifting things than eavesdropping on a group of teens as they move from shelf to shelf and enthusiastically try to sell their mates on their favourite authors. I wish I could hire mobs of them to ambush shoppers and say, 'You HAVE to read this guy.' Or I at least wish we could bottle their hyper-enthusiasm. It would be perfect for the times an author is alone at their desk with a half-finished book and the feeling that it's all a bit pointless. I don't know what you'd call this enthusiasm spray. BookLust? Or Eau de Lit? But someone should definitely look into the idea.

Have a great Sunday wherever you are!

My new book, Hunters & Collectors, launches today. New York Times best-selling author Jeff Vandermeer reviewed it for the Guardian, and, well ... he liked it.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

You might like his latest series, too. In fact, I know you will. Annihilation