Kicking off a new round of Q&As in the new year, I'm delighted to welcome Gerard Brennan, a prolific writer from Northern Ireland who is currently published by both Pulp Press and Blasted Heath. His short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies, including The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9. He co-edited Requiems for the Departed, a collection of crime fiction based on Irish myths which won the 2011 Spinetingler Award for best anthology. He is currently studying at Queen's University Belfast for the MA in creative writing.
Tell me about your book.
My novel, WEE ROCKETS, has just been released by Blasted Heath. It does for Belfast what Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting did for Edinburgh. It’s a frank look at the drink and drug-addled youth ejected onto the streets of a socially deprived community as they smirk in the face of authority and play Russian Roulette with their adolescent lives.
And I have a novella out (seems only fair to mention it as it was released just a few months ago through Pulp Press) titled THE POINT. For Brian, a new life in The Point means going straight and falling in love with Rachel, while Paul graduates to carjacking by unusual means and ‘borrowing’ firearms from his new boss. Brian can’t help being dragged into his brother’s bungling schemes but Rachel can be violently persuasive herself ...
How much difference does an editor make?
For me? A huge difference. I need the reassurance that the book is good. If it’s not good, I need to know why. Then I can fix it.
What are your views on e-book pricing?
I think an e-book should be priced lower than a paperback version of the book but high enough that the hard-working author gets a decent cut (though low pricing for marketing reasons seems sensible to me too). At the moment, the pricing issue is all over the place but I think it’ll find its level eventually; probably around the £2.99 — £3.99 mark, but I’m really just guessing.
What aspects of marketing your book do you enjoy?
Pretending I’m working when what I’m really doing is communicating with like-minded people. It’s fun and guilt-free.
My novel, WEE ROCKETS, has just been released by Blasted Heath. It does for Belfast what Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting did for Edinburgh. It’s a frank look at the drink and drug-addled youth ejected onto the streets of a socially deprived community as they smirk in the face of authority and play Russian Roulette with their adolescent lives.
And I have a novella out (seems only fair to mention it as it was released just a few months ago through Pulp Press) titled THE POINT. For Brian, a new life in The Point means going straight and falling in love with Rachel, while Paul graduates to carjacking by unusual means and ‘borrowing’ firearms from his new boss. Brian can’t help being dragged into his brother’s bungling schemes but Rachel can be violently persuasive herself ...
How much difference does an editor make?
For me? A huge difference. I need the reassurance that the book is good. If it’s not good, I need to know why. Then I can fix it.
What are your views on e-book pricing?
I think an e-book should be priced lower than a paperback version of the book but high enough that the hard-working author gets a decent cut (though low pricing for marketing reasons seems sensible to me too). At the moment, the pricing issue is all over the place but I think it’ll find its level eventually; probably around the £2.99 — £3.99 mark, but I’m really just guessing.
What aspects of marketing your book do you enjoy?
Pretending I’m working when what I’m really doing is communicating with like-minded people. It’s fun and guilt-free.
How do you feel about interviews?
I like them. Thanks for letting me do this one.
How do you feel about reviews?
The positive ones are great. Who doesn’t like being complimented? The negative ones can sting but once in a while you’ll get something useful from them.
What are you reading now?
Cold, Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty. I’m actually rereading it. It’s that good.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
I have a website, blog and Twitter account. Check them out and revisit whichever one floats your boat. Or you can check my page on the Blasted Heath website.
I like them. Thanks for letting me do this one.
How do you feel about reviews?
The positive ones are great. Who doesn’t like being complimented? The negative ones can sting but once in a while you’ll get something useful from them.
What are you reading now?
Cold, Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty. I’m actually rereading it. It’s that good.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
I have a website, blog and Twitter account. Check them out and revisit whichever one floats your boat. Or you can check my page on the Blasted Heath website.
RSS Feed
