The Decade in Tory
By Russell Jones
A hilarious, furious & absolutely true comedy about the most hapless government since the last one
Monday, 16 May 2022
Progress report
Hi everybody,
It’s been a while since my last update. I hope everyone is still doing OK, and that at least some of you have figured out how to cook your daily helping of scavenged roadkill using the heat generated by your raw fury at the News at Ten.
The Decade in Tory has been my first foray into publishing, and because of my chronic inexperience I underestimated the time required to get from a manuscript to a physical book arriving in your hands. For some reason I assumed a publisher hitting the Print button would take less time than writing a 450-page exposé of hundreds of government scandals; but seemingly I was wrong.
To be fair, there has been a lot to do. I finished the final draft some time ago, but since then it's been through multiple rounds of detailed editing, spell-checking, and legal approval (which essentially came down to me writing "allegedly" about 300 times, and having to cut a legally dubious claim that Iain Duncan Smith is literally an egg sharted out by Beelzebub).
It’s been a long process, and I want to thank you for your patience. The book is on its way – no, really, it is – and within a couple of weeks the final round of edits and lawyers being grumpy about jokes will be done, and I’ll have one more attempt at getting the typos down to single figures before it goes off to print.
Desigbers (sic) will then finalise the jacket, typesetters will try to make it all legible. And then it’s printed, signed, shoved in a box, and posted out to you; just in time for you to burn it to keep warm when the weather turns.
I’ve been stunned at the levels of support for this project, and with everybody’s enthusiasm for the book. Once again, my genuine, heartfelt and sincere thanks to all of you.
Love
Russ
Comments
Russ, I think the wait will be worth the while. Can't wait . Ste
posted 16th May 2022
My breath has never been so baity.
posted 16th May 2022
I worked in publishing for 37 years: we used to allow an average 12 months from typescript delivery to publication (except of course for seriously time-sensitive works). Computers were alleged to speed up the process and we started working to a 6-7 month model. Only discernible differences were worse standards at every level, from copy-editing to typesetting to proofreading to print quality, and at least one medical printrun that had to be pulped because of an error in dosage which was not spotted could have killed people ...
posted 16th May 2022
I’m so looking forward to reading this book, I’m sure there will be a follow up, if only for ‘the Johnson years’ if you can bear to go through all this again
posted 16th May 2022
Have you dared to start Vol.2 yet?
"2020-2022 in Tory" will almost make the past decade look like halcyon days... almost.
posted 16th May 2022
I can’t wait to read it, Russ! All the best! Kieron
posted 16th May 2022
Thanks for the update - all good things are worth the wait. Best wishes, Russ.
posted 16th May 2022
I have spent the last few weeks trying to decide where on my carefully arranged bookshelves your excellent ouevre should sit - very tempted to place it next to Alice in Wonderland and 'Bad Beast for Bad Children', but finally decided that spot did not reflect the gravitas of your work so it will be with the political books - 'Money Land' by Oliver Bullough bookshelf and 'All the Presidents Men' on the other. The delays you describe will be a welcome opportunity to keep on switching.
posted 16th May 2022
As me old mother would have said…good things come to those who wait and if you don’t stop mithering, I’ll slap your legs!
Seriously, it’s been a long wait but it’s going to be worth it!
posted 16th May 2022
What?
IDS is not an actual egg shat out from the bowels of Beelzebub?
Must be either Bunter or Jacob Rees Tosspot then!?
Thanks for the update Russ…looking forward to it.
posted 16th May 2022
Hi Russ, looking forward to reading this - hopefully before I die of poverty, cold or apoplectic rage at the shenanigans of the present government.
posted 16th May 2022
Great to have an update. Thanks Russ, and I know it will be worth the wait.
posted 16th May 2022
Thanks for the update. Appreciated. Let’s hope we can make it a best seller!
posted 16th May 2022
That's the best update I've ever read. I can't wait for the book but I will – it'll be worth it I'm sure. Good luck!
posted 16th May 2022
I'm going to miss the updates. Appreciate you taking the time to let us know!
posted 16th May 2022
No worries Russ. Everything always takes twice as long as you estimate, if my life’s anything to go by. Judging by #TheWeekInTory this book will be well worth the wait - just in awe of your ever managing to compile it all.
posted 16th May 2022
Thanks for the update, Russ - looking forward to getting my copy however long it takes!
posted 16th May 2022
I’m sure it will be worth the wait!
Claire
posted 16th May 2022
Don’t worry or rush Russ, it will still be fine for Christmas!
posted 16th May 2022
Russ, I have waited decades for Harlan Ellison’s Last Dangerous Visions, which, now he is dead, will be coming out next year.
Every other publication is ahead of schedule irrespective. Don’t knock yourself.
posted 16th May 2022
No worries Russ. It's a long process and I'm actually enjoying the wait. I'll enjoy the book all the more!
posted 16th May 2022
I'm very tempted to buy a 2nd copy for my Tory MP, but I'm terrified of it being the instrument of death of a Home Office civil servant; my MP is Priti Patel and I expect she would throw the book at someone.
posted 16th May 2022
The longer it takes, the more new MPs you can think of fabulous descriptions of for the sequel, so it’s win win really. Thank you for your service!
posted 16th May 2022
"....that Iain Duncan Smith is literally an egg sharted out by Beelzebub" - hahaha, this is content worth waiting for. Keep on keeping on Russ, love your work.
posted 16th May 2022
Russ don’t fret. We bought something that will be ready when it’s ready. Don’t be put off producing the sequel. We are all going to need that.
posted 16th May 2022
Thank you v much for the nice update letter. Like others, I don't mind the wait and admire your brilliance. Also, I'm such an old softie and so unused to people signing off with 'Love...' that I'm brimming with benevolence for you as well (not being sarcastic I assure you). Love, D.
posted 16th May 2022
Take all the time you need, lad. I’m looking forward to the finished book as much as the next person in this list of comments, but it’s only done when you’re happy with it. Cheers old boy, Kieran
posted 17th May 2022
All good, Russ. As others have mentioned above, it will be ready when it is ready, and we know it will be worth it. Still love your posts on the chirpy platform.
posted 17th May 2022
Your Twitter threads are entertaining enough to keep us going until the book arrives. It’ll totally be worth the wait I’m sure!
posted 18th May 2022
Keep plugging away Russ - you'll get there and we'll all still be here for it! x
posted 29th May 2022
Ship when finished.
posted 2nd June 2022
Hi - just wondering if there is an update as to when this will be shipped...? The number of posts on twitter regarding the success of the book are lovely to read but also a bit frustrating because I'd like to read the book for myself.... :)
posted 4th August 2022