Last weekend I did something I haven’t done in years: go a movie by myself. Although, strictly speaking, it wasn’t a movie, rather a streamed broadcast of the Hamlet stage production at the Barbican in London. It makes my head whirl, such is the scope and possibility of opportunities these days – when once you would’ve missed out on a show because you live on the other side of the world, with only reviews and word of mouth to placate your interest, now it’s different! Marvellous!
Yes, Benedict Cumberbatch is in it (one of the reasons for its staggering success) and, yes, he is very good. Highly recommended – then again, that’s no surprise. Hamlet is my favourite piece of writing ever. Hands down.
What else am I celebrating this week?
- A subject close to my heart: Ursula K. Le Guin on the Sacredness of Public Libraries
- I love seeing success stories of writers using social media as a means of getting their work out there in the world and building a name/brand for themselves. Here’s the story of Nikita Gill, who’s used Tumblr and Instagram to do just that.
- Here’s a topic that’s not often talked about – but is very important in the life cycle of a book and the overall writing process: how to let go of a book once it’s published. As a writer, I’ve had to let things go. As a publisher, too.
- While we’re on this subject, I’ll make a note that I am speaking at the Independent Publishing Conference next Saturday 21st November at 12.15pm. The session is called ‘Marketing Without a Budget’. It’s always a really informative (and inexpensive) conference – do come along!
