Ruts, Egg-Cups and Post-Apocalyptic Dustbins

Hello, Dear Reader. How do you fancy a free book? A while ago I posted about my excitement at receiving a copy of RUT, by the wonderful Scott Phillips. I've been a big fan since reading THE ICE HARVEST, and his historical novel COTTONWOOD (which is like Little Whore House On The Prairie) is one of my very favourite books of all time. I was not let down by RUT.

It's almost impossible to describe RUT and still sound sane. So here goes. Take some crystal meth. Now drink a bottle of tequila. And now imagine a post-apocalyptic novel but without the apocalypse. See what I mean? It's set in a dystopian* near-future where wine is traded on the black market, religious fundamentalism is a must, toxic waste hasn't had a positive effect on the wildlife and Big Brother is most definitely watching. RUT is quirky, witty and funny but also thought-provoking and slightly unsettling.

*spellcheck wanted to change that to dustbins.

And here's the book giveaway bit. RUT is published by the Concord Free Press - a revolution in publishing. They give books away for free. Yep, totally free. All they ask is that you make a donation to charity of some description (and record it at their website) and, once you've finished it, you give the book to someone else. Hopefully, that person will also make a donation to something or someone of their choosing. Each book is numbered and can be tracked at their website. A totally brilliant idea.

So, if you would like a copy of RUT, please leave me a comment, or send me an e-mail telling me the one thing you would do if you knew the apocalypse was coming. We'll take all the "kiss my family" stuff as read (because I know, of course, that many of you would travel miles and miles to kiss my family). Basically, I want to know your apocalyptic bucket list. Although you only get to do one, so it's more like your apocalyptic egg-cup list.

And now, Scottish crime fiction news...

Bluecat Books with a reviewlet of Denise Mina's A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY. And a longer one from The Comics Journal. I'm not really into graphic novels, but I think I really do need to get hold of this one.

The Book Nut reviews M C Beaton's DEATH OF A TRAVELLING MAN.

Irvine Welsh to have a cameo role in Ecstacy.

Edinburgh is crowned Scotland's one and only creative hotspot. Harrruuummmppppphhhh.

And the wonderful Tony Black helps Edinburgh's young writers. Good on ya, Tony.

Ian Rankin in video for Edinburgh Eaterie Illegal Jack's.

The Metro's Top 10 crime fiction books of 2010.

And I don't know how she does it but Margot Kinberg always comes up with posts which are jam-packed with interesting stuff. Here's one on Healthy Reading for 2011.

Shorts, More Shorts, Sickness and Scott Phillips

Another couple of Ramones stories are up:

M J Nicholls with a dark and chilling take on BEAT ON THE BRAT - brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Rosemarie Keenan's witty and clever I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND.

And I've received a couple via e-mail which I will post here on 1st November, including one from my Dad (oh dear, oh dear).

I've been very remiss in telling you about DISCOUNT NOIR - a short story project I was honoured to be involved in, edited by Patti Abbott and Steve Weddle. There are some great stories in the collection. Here's the description and the full list of writers involved:

If you thought standing in line at your local warehouse store was murder, then you haven't been to Megamart. These flash fiction tales of superstore madness and mayhem will make you think twice the next time you hear "clean up on aisle 13."

This anthology contains works by: Patricia Abbott, Sophie Littlefield, Kieran Shea, Chad Eagleton, Ed Gorman, Cormac Brown, Fleur Bradley, Alan Griffiths, Laura Benedict, Garnett Elliot, Eric Beetner, Jack Bates, Bill Crider, Loren Eaton, John DuMond, John McFetridge, Toni McGee Causey, Jeff Vande Zande, James Reasoner, Kyle Minor, Randy Rohn, Todd Mason, Byron Quertermous, Sandra Scoppettone, Stephen D. Rogers, Steve Weddle, Evan Lewis, Daniel B. O'Shea, Sandra Seamans, Albert Tucher, Donna Moore, John Weagly, Keith Rawson, Gerald So, Dave Zeltserman, Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, Jay Stringer, Anne Frasier, Kathleen A. Ryan, Eric Peterson, Chris Grabenstein and J.T. Ellison.

And you can buy it from the lovely people at Untreed Reads (editor Jay Hartman deserves a pay rise, a promotion, and a stand-up comedy gig) by clicking on the wee banner thingy below, if I've done it right.


And you can buy it for the Kindle from Amazon here.

While I've been off ill (now officially upgraded to pneumonia for those keeping track of the Amazing Ever-Changing Diagnosis), I've not been able to read (aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhh!) so I've been catching up on my TV viewing, watching series 2 and 3 of THE WIRE. Brilliant stuff. And I'm hoping that series 4 and 5 will be dropping through my letter box today. When I am fit to read again, I already have my first book lined up - RUT, by the wonderful Scott Phillips. I've been waiting far too long for a new one from Mr Phillips - I've been a big fan since reading THE ICE HARVEST, and his historical novel COTTONWOOD (which is like Little Whore House On The Prairie) is one of my very favourite books of all time. Not only does RUT look brilliant, but it's published by the Concord Free Press - a revolution in publishing. They give books away for free. Yep, totally free. All they ask is that you make a donation to charity of some description (and record it at their website) and, once you've finished it, you give the book to someone else. Hopefully, they will also make a donation. A totally brilliant idea. Which only has one drawback for me...I have to give away a Scott Phillips instead of keeping it on my bookshelves to stroke with glee and re-read from time to time. Tough, very tough.