The last time I made an update was before the lockdown here in the UK and across much of the world started. Before launching into my update proper, I'd like to extend my warmest wishes to those of you directly affected by COVID-19. Obviously, I hope that you are all well and, if you have contracted the virus, are making a full recovery. The way in which this virus has impacted people's lives throws many other elements of our existence into stark relief, and this is very much the case with something like the publication of a humble book.
I have some good news and some bad news - the good news is that I have a publication date; the bad news is that, owing to completely unavoidable disruption to Unbound's operations, the publication date will be delayed. Without further ado, here is the date on which Rory enters the world:
Before the Americans among you get too excited, that is 1st July 2021. It will be a summer blockbuster.
I realise that the fact that you will be waiting over a year to receive your copy is frustrating and, were the world working at anything close to normality, this simply wouldn't be the case. I can only apologise but, hearkening back to what I said earlier, the publication of a book becomes something of an incidental event in the grand scheme of things. And I speak from the perspective of someone who works in social care.
BUT the situation has got me thinking of ways in which you guys can be more included in the production of the book. So, for the artists among you, if you would be interested in contributing towards some of the artwork I'm keen to use inside the book, and also in marketing, then drop me an email at: maximilianhawker@gmail.com and we can have a conversation. It might be a bit of fun for you and you could (fully credited, of course) see your artwork appear in a published novel, which would be cool. You don't have to be a full-blown professional, so just let me know if this interests you at all.
Finally, as Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen deals so intimately with OCD, I thought I would share an article written for the Metro newspaper here in the UK by my friend and fellow OCD sufferer/Unbound novelist, Emma Guinness. It focuses on what it's like to have OCD in a time of coronavirus and can be read here.
That's it for now. But please stay safe and keep your distance.