I had some fantastic news a couple of weeks ago, but only had it confirmed yesterday. And as this is a blog about, among other things, the book journey, it seems only appropriate to share it.

The Ground Will Catch You is now on sale at the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, dubbed by Vanity Fair as ‘arguably the most famous independent bookstore in the world’. To say I’m chuffed doesn’t do justice to how I feel, especially when I was sent a pic of my novel sitting on the ‘new fiction’ table. The wraparound over the cover is a short review written by Melody David, one of the staff, which reads as follows:

The Ground Will Catch You by David Powning

Steve is a young, frustrated salesman, an ex-judoka living under the burden of self-loathing when he meets the carefree and beautiful ballet dancer, Emily. They are an unlikely couple but Steve is caught up. When an accident befalls Emily and a young kid from the judo club where he volunteers goes missing, he finds his loyalties, character and the path he is on called into question. Torn between his sense of duty to his mentor Jack, the silent but stoic owner of the Queen’s Road Gym and Judo Club, and his ailing girlfriend, Steve is forced to face up to who he has become and what he has done. An original story with a very surprising twist, Powning’s debut novel is a beautifully written story of frustration, longing, resentment and facing your fears. I adored this book.

Melody David, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, Paris

Shakespeare and Company has a rich history, which you can read about here. It’s a long piece, but gives a real flavour of what this whole game is about for writers – and the place that bookstores occupy in the hearts of the book-reading community.

Long may it continue.