Harsh Realism discussion

This is where authors can discuss their books and why they think they are a fit for this group.

Also, since this group is about realism, you can also mention anything that is in your book which is influenced by your experiences or the people and places that you have come across in your life.

Hello All!
I published my new novel, The Survival of Thomas Ford, as a Kindle ebook on Christmas Day 2011.
It means a lot to me to finally have a chance to get this book out to readers, because this novel had been locked in under contract with a London literary agent for over a year...nearer 18 months...felt longer...
My agent was certain he could sell the book, and the film consultant at the agency, who had been responsible for discovering Slumdog Millionaire as an unpublished manuscript and getting it developed into a film, thought my book was the best she had read at that agency in the last 4 years.
My agent found several editors who "loved the book", but the sales depts of the publishing houses did not agree and no sale was made.
Now, that was harsh realism of a sort, but the subject matter of the book is also a dose of harsh realism, as much of my life has been, but I will spare you the detail...(!)
So I have taken the book back into my own hands to sell direct to readers (hopefully)!
The novel is contemporary fiction, what you might call a literary thriller.
I would love to know what readers think of it!
All very best, John
http://www.johnaalogan.com
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Thom...

The Survival of Thomas Ford has 8 five-star reviews now on Amazon.co.uk, including:

Perfection, by Tristan Hopkinson:
John Logan has created that rare thing - a thriller with a seriously literary voice behind it. His story-telling is marvellous, but it was the beautiful poetic lyricism of his writing that really got me. I hope to see him on a bookshelf very soon.

Gripping, by DphiLsi:
Purchased, downloaded and read inside 24 hours. This book had me gripped from the first few sentences until the very end. As someone who grew up in the Highlands I have always been very aware of the dark mysteries that the nights seem to hold up there... particularly in the forests. "The Survival of Thomas Ford" is a gripping story which you will find difficult to put down. Only start it if you have plenty time on your hands!

Page Turner, by Julia Knox:
Read this on the train to and from work, couldn't put it down, wished the journey was longer so I could read more!! great read.

Excellent literary thriller, by Rita Davidova:
John Logan has written a gripping, atmospheric novel. It's stayed with me for some time after reading it. The dawn of a strong new talent.

Damn! Facing a dilemma with Behind the Pain. Looks like the cover and title are going to be changed, plus some elements to the story. Because it's a work in progress and not due to be published until August of this year the title may end up being called "Behind the Words" and with one of the Rata brothers on the front instead of the guy with the tattooed face. Though, I'm not letting the Behind the Pain cover go to waste as that book will still go ahead just with a different storyline. The reason for the cover and title change is because the book is looking more like it's turning into an edgy YA read due to the characters of Ash and Dante Rata. Stress! Just want to get onto book 3 as that storyline is mostly sorted and is so much easier to write.

My book is very funny, rude, explicit - stupid. But it's basis is in my upbringing. Had a cool interview with Mourning Goats that I think tells it [WARNING RUDE]: http://mourninggoats.blogspot.com/201...

But best of all, I got called the MNM of writers... and that's cool. Unless they think I'm a chocolate covered peanut

Very excited! Don't know how it managed it but my novel, The Survival of
Thomas Ford, is number 85 just now in all paid UK bestselling literary
fiction ebooks, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is at 84...Martin Amis at
91...Maeve Binchy just below at 93!
If Goodreads readers did this, thank-you!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Thom...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestseller...

It's actually still climbing today...up to number 79 now...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestseller...

My book deals with the harsh realism of faith and spirituality. It talks about what happens when one takes their religious fanaticism too far, only to realize nothing they had believed in is what it seems.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hand-Pastor...

Hi everybody,

I'm here seeking refuge, a place to communicate with individuals who can think, a place where I can escape from the corp-indoctrinated-drones I have to share breathing space with on a day-to-day basis.

I'm also here to try and spread the word about my debut novel, 'Alex', which agents and publishers have already rejected due to its subject matter being "far too controversial and explicit to adopt into their catalogue". I'm even getting bills come through for the tongs my manuscript supposedly melted through when they handled it. But I won't get personal by telling you what I think of these people...

Anyway, so I have instead self published the book which is now available on Amazon. I guess its synopsis might sound a little conventional, but trust me when I say I don't know how to write like a 'sheep'. It's in fact a twisted tale of self destruction in the neighbourhood of masculinity and individuality. But it's not just another transgressive story, either. It's told through a structured plot with a bit of tragic romance and crime and mystery thrown in. And so I hope this makes it refreshing.

Holy shit...I guess this looks like an awful 'self-promotion', doesn't it? I do apologise. Shoot me down if ever you see me.

I guess I may as well shamefully give you my site and book link too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alex-ebook/dp...

http://www.sidneyknight.com/

But seriously, I'm hoping to get to know people in this group, and if need be, answer any questions you might have about 'Alex'--if you haven't already blacklisted me or spat at your computer screen in disgust...


Much love,
Sidney

Hi Everyone,

My novella, Solitary tells the story of Jack Henderson, an ex-con who does ten years in prison for a murder he does not commit. His re-entry into society is a difficult one. His view of the people around him and the reaction of others paints a dark picture of a man seeking to be left alone.

I spent many years working in the field of corrections. My personal experiences are radically different than the offenders I worked with; however, I must have listening and watching because Jack speaks to me all the time as I try to tell his story. I'm working on Solitary 2 to be followed by Solitary 3.

Solitary and Other Tales includes some of my short stories. Available on amazon.com as well as barnesandnoble.com.