Wednesday, April 11, 2007

The new underground

New Short Stories

In the publishing industry it is a given that many women but few men read novels while commuting to and from work. For the first time a publisher (Pretend Genius) is specifically offering that elusive male reader what we all know he really wants: instant gratification.

I put it to you that men want to arrive home or at work having completed a story, not part way through. The feeling of arriving at work having just read a complete story is without parallel. Scoff at clods who only know newspaper reports that you heard about earlier on the radio, or skimmed with your news aggregator. Pity those who signed up for "distance learning" and always have to plod through over-sized books full of dead verbiage.

Men, now is your chance to put us women in our place: always be finishing stories and snapping books shut with emphasis, while we poor girlies faff about endlessly in novels. (Speaking only for myself, of course.)

Kerry Ellison, Pretend Genius P.R.

Willesden Herald: New Short Stories 1. Editor: Stephen Moran. First year royalties to Comic Relief.

Special introductory offers including free delivery: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble

Available to order from all online and independent high street bookshops. Isbn: 0977852628

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