A tiny reference in Publishing News reports that 'the David Higham Literary Agency has signed up K. D. Lathar, author of self published The Changeling, which was itself picked up on by Ottakar's as part of its three-for-two offer. The book has already attracted interest from one large publishing house.'
So I went a-googling and found the self-publisher's -- sorry, independent publisher's -- web site, Tarragon Publishing.
It turns out that K.D. Lathar has written a children's book about a boy who is half-badger. The author's sister, who is a lawyer, helped him to set up his own publishing company. Printing has been done in India, with an initial run of 500 hardback and 1000 paperback, local publicity has been obtained in his home town of Birmingham, proof copy sold for high price on ebay, and more like that.
Somehow or other, Lathar seems to have persuaded Ottakar's to sell the book, which is quite a trick in itself.
I hope it won't sound rude if I say that Mr Lathar seems to have learnt a few things from the Dragon Tamers case study. He may also have studied the career of the Rev. Graham Taylor, author of Shadowmancer. And, of course, he has invested a not inconsiderable amount of time and money.
We shall see what develops.
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11 comments:
hi
i haven't had time to look through your whole blog but have you had the chance to see Nanowrimo this month? i think its nanowrimo.com . everyone who signs up has to try and write a novel in a day.
sorry
'a day' - what was i thinking?
its a month...
Was offered this one - completely bizarre. Read the first few chapters and rejected it. I very much doubt it'll be hugely successful, although Ottakars pushing it will certainly help.
My nephew has read this one and thinks its "way cool" (?) - should do for the amount I paid for the first edition
Yes, it was another self-pub book written up in "The Book and Magazine Collector" as one to watch - there would appear to be a micro-market of dealers swarming around these tipped books which creates trading frenzies of various intensities on eBay, et al. But, from this stable, a much more remarkable example and one that the trade press seems to have missed completely is "The Highfield Mole" which last week was stealthily plucked by the mighty Barry of Chicken House, with representation from Rogers, Coleridge & White.
thanks for the sales pitch for The Highfield Mole!!
My pleasure entirely ... maybe I should have disclosed in my earlier comment that I have a vested interest due to my purchase of several copies of the hardback at the cover price?
The bookseller informs us that theyve been offered blank cheques for the second book - we're not jealous!
Lathar is going to be an interesting one to watch
hi
ive heard KD Lather has had orders for all of his book2 The Well and it hasnt even gone to print yet.
who is supplying The Well? wehs the publication date -
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