Gentles All,
The good news is that for once it’s not because I have another book out, so there should at least be a little comfort in that. Having said that I have started a publishing business which perhaps amounts to much the same thing.

Unbound.co.uk gets authors to pitch ideas for as yet unwritten books and then asks readers to pledge support for ones they’d like to read. Only the books that readers support then get written – so for once readers rather than publishers decided what books should be published. It removes the waste of unearned advances, pulped returns from the shops and the huge discounts that have to be offered supermarkets and online retailers. To give you an example, on a £12.99 book the author often receives just 25p - 50p from online retailers.

We currently have six authors on the site who’ve been brave enough to stand up to the old publishing system, including Terry Jones (ex-Python), Amy Jenkins (This Life) and Tibor Fischer (Booker nominated).

If you have a moment please come to http://www.unbound.co.uk and have a look round. This is very much a fledgling business with no hefty backers so support from friends, colleagues and family will make or break the idea over the next few weeks. Equally please do pass this email on to anyone that you think might be interested. And do let me know what you think.