International Herald Tribune'No-one wishing to keep a grip on the reality of the world should be without these books.'
North Korea has the second-largest army in the world, but those in charge must realize that, however dedicated, these million soldiers would be a poor match for Western weaponry. For more on global issues of peace and security see:
Changes in lifestyle, diet, and tobacco use are outstripping improvements in screening and treatment in the world’s poorer countries. It is projected that they will be host to the majority of the world’s cancer cases by 2030. See more on this in:
The number of hospital beds for psychiatric patients per 100,000 people varies widely around the world (see above). Lack of financial resources is clearly one factor, but the other is that in many countries mental disorder is a taboo subject. See more in:
The horrors of war in Afghanistan, Syria, Mali, and elsewhere, quite rightly grab media attention, but overall the number of armed conflicts is declining. Dan Smith, Secretary General of International Alert, assesses global conflict and other burning issues in The State of the World Atlas.
Jon McGregor'Brilliant – a visceral blast of truth-telling against the cult of the road. They should be giving Rumble Strip away with new driving licences.'
Sue Eckstein's gripping novel Interpreters is now in the final of The People's Book Prize 2012/13. Voting for Interpreters is now open until 29 May. Cast your vote now.
We're thrilled that Fiction Editor Vicky Blunden has been awarded the IPG Young Independent Publisher of the Year award. Take a look at all the tremendous Myriad accolades here.
Quick Fictions has shot into The Sunday Times listing at no.5. An evolution in digital storytelling developed by Professor Nicholas Royle, author of Quilt, at the University of Sussex in partnership with Myriad and Aimer Media, features the finest stories – each fewer than 300 words. The app will continue to grow as new stories are submitted: find out how to submit yours here on our website and don't forget to buy the app for regular updates!
Fri 24 May 11am - 12.30pm
Myriad author Isabel Ashdown will be talking at Chichester College as part of Adult Learners' Week.
Find out more about this and other Myriad events
SALLY O'REILLY
We are thrilled to announce that we have sold North American rights to Sally O'Reilly's forthcoming historical novel, Dark Aemilia, in a pre-empt to Stephen Morrison at Picador US. The deal was managed by Adrian Weston Literary Agency and Picador plan to publish their edition next Spring, to match UK publication, which coincides with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. Dark Aemilia is richly atmospheric, bringing together the struggles for power, recognition and survival in the brutal world of Jacobean London, vividly conjuring the art and passion of England's first professional woman poet, Aemilia Bassano – the rumoured 'Dark Lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets. Sally O'Reilly is a novelist, short story writer and former journalist who has taught creative writing at the University of Portsmouth and Brunel University, where she has also just completed her PhD.
FAYETTE FOX
Last week we celebrated the publication of Fayette Fox's debut novel The Deception Artist – a story dealing with truth, lies and fantasies, narrated by the charming eight-year-old protagonist, Ivy. We're delighted that The Deception Artist has been chosen to feature as a Debut of the Month on book-lover's website Lovereading. The feature includes all sorts of added extras including a sneak preview of the first chapter and an author Q&A.
Fayette is also featured this week on dedicated women's fiction website Novelicious.com where she shares her Top Five Writing Tips. 'Become a hungry reader' is just one piece of advice she has for other budding authors who are keen to see their work published.
Since publication day on May 16th, The Deception Artist has received various excellent reviews. First to publish was We Love This Book, who described the book as 'a captivating debut, and hopefully the first of many books from Fayette Fox'. The Bookbag blog focused on the novel's protagonist, saying 'Ivy is a brilliant character and Fox writes her perspective incredibly naturally', and Stylist's online sister magazine Emerald Street gave the book a fantastic review: 'With sharp, witty prose and an utterly endearing and sympathetic heroine, The Deception Artist is a story that draws you in and has you rooting for its central character as if she were your eight-year-old self.'
SUE ECKSTEIN
We are delighted to announce that Sue Eckstein's novel, Interpreters, described by the Observer as 'a compelling exploration of memory and loss', has won a place in the final of the 2012/2013 People's Book Prize.
The prize is voted for entirely by the reading public and the winner will be announced later this month. Voting is open until Monday 29 May so please register now and cast your vote here.
ELIZABETH HAYNES
We're very pleased to confirm that for the second year running, Elizabeth Haynes has been invited as a guest speaker at world renowned crime-fest Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate this July. Last year Elizabeth was chosen by Val McDermid to talk about her debut novel Into the Darkest Corner on Val's New Blood panel – a collection of the best new crime writers. This year, Elizabeth will host a table at the festival's License to Thrill dinner – a James Bond themed anniversary evening where noted crime writers will captain teams competing for a Bond-style prize. Elizabeth's third and latest novel, published earlier this year, is the chilling thriller Human Remains.
We are also delighted that the paperback American edition of Elizabeth's debut, Into the Darkest Corner (HarperCollins), will be included in a special Emerging Authors promotion for multi-national general store Target. The book will be available in 1778 stores across America and comes in addition to a special edition of the novel already on sale in stores – double exposure!
Mystery People magazine have published a new review of Elizabeth Haynes' latest thriller, Human Remains, in their most recent edition. 'Haynes spins her web of despair so well you find yourself falling into the feelings of the protagonist', comments the reviewer, rounding up the piece by describing it as 'well crafted and skillfully told, this is not a book to take home with you alone'.
WRITER'S RETREAT COMPETITION
Myriad Editions and West Dean College are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2013 Writer's Retreat Competition is Brighton author Al Brookes, with an extract from her novel The Gift of Looking Closely.
The winner was revealed at a packed event at the Brighton Festival last week where the judges also debated 'what makes a book worth publishing'. This year's judges were (left to right) Greg Mosse, outgoing programme leader for creative writing at West Dean; Myriad's Publisher and MD Candida Lacey; Pam McIlroy aka literary blogger Pamreader; bestselling author Elizabeth Haynes; and Kate Shaw, literary agent at the Viney Agency.
The prize, now in its fourth year, is designed to allow the winner to write undisturbed in the luxurious surroundings of West Dean, and goes to the heart of Myriad's mission to discover and nurture new writers. In July, Myriad will publish last year's winner Lisa Cutts' debut crime fiction Never Forget. Myriad has also published previously shortlisted entrant Nina de la Mer's debut novel 4 a.m.
WHEN DOES A COMIC BECOME A GRAPHIC NOVEL?
Myriad sell-out graphics event at Brighton Festival last week was hosted by comics guru Tim Pilcher, who asked panelists to debate the question 'When Does a Comic Become a Graphic Novel?' Myriad graphics authors Nye Wright (Things to do in a Retirement Home Trailer Park) and Woodrow Phoenix (Rumble Strip) were joined by fellow graphic novelist Hannah Berry (Adamtine, Jonathan Cape) and engaged in a spirited discussion, reviewed the next day by Brighton's Latest Magazine as 'a great evening had by both comic geeks and absolute novices'.
WRITE NOW
Last weekend Myriad teamed up with the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) to host a weekend of Creative Writing Masterclasses for budding writers. The classes were designed to build writers' confidence, whether finding the courage to start writing, helping to improve writing skills, or for those seeking professional feedback. Liam Murray Bell, author of So It Is, gave a lesson in how to write the perfect first sentence in his masterclass 'Openings', while A Kind of Vanishing author Lesley Thomson offered advice on 'How to Plot'.
DARRYL CUNNINGHAM
Earlier this month, at the end of World Immunisation Week, Darryl Cunningham, author of documentary comic book Science Tales, was interviewed by Kylie Sturgess for a Token Skeptic podcast. In the interview, they discuss the process of creating art, the sources of Darryl's inspiration, how he researches topics such as conspiracy theories and pseudoscience, and what comic art brings to the table when it comes to challenging topics like mental illness.
