Wanted to say a big “thank you” to James Miller and Alex Wheatle for being among the first readers of A Virtual Love, and for providing some great feedback.
Their words were truncated to fit on the cover, but here are the extended versions:
A compelling tale, told from several perspectives, about the identity that people project about themselves in the social media world and the real life identity that we all cannot escape from. A fascinating, modern story that had me gripped. — Alex Wheatle
A compelling and very entertaining look at the complexities of our hyper real age, an insightful and witty exploration of the disconnect between image and reality, truth and appearance and whether love and sincere sentiment can overcome the short term thrills of social media. — James Miller
Publication date is 1st April, but I found out recently that my publisher is releasing the e-book version a month early. So between 1st March and 1st April, A Virtual Love will be a virtual book. Then we have the good old-fashioned launch party, drink lots of wine and send the little bundle of paper out into the world.
Feeling irresistibly compelled to buy this book?
Well, then who am I to stand in your way? You can pre-order the e-book here, or the paperback here. I’ve linked to Amazon because they’re so widely used and because I know they have the pre-ordering set up, but the book will also be available in most bookshops and online booksellers in the UK. If you live abroad, the best option is The Book Depository, which offers free worldwide delivery.
If you’re a book reviewer and would like to receive a review copy, please get in touch and I’m sure we can sort something out.
Finally, a message to regular readers of this blog:
I will be mentioning my novel on the site in the coming weeks and months, because I want to spread the word and reach as many potential readers as I can. But I don’t ever want you to feel pressured to buy the book or to read it or to review it. If you want to, that’s wonderful, but I’m not keeping track or expecting you to. I also wanted to reassure you that there will be plenty of the usual book reviews on here, thoughts on writing and books, and random musings – I’m not going to switch to crazy hard-selling book marketer from hell. 😉
There are 17 comments
I pre-ordered this morning. I’m excited to read this. The Book Depository site worked great for me to order from the U.S.A. with free shipping and they offer PayPal checkout which makes it really easy.
Thanks Brandon! Good to hear that The Book Depository was easy to use. I’ve no idea how they manage to offer free worldwide shipping. With heavy books, all their profit must go to the Royal Mail!
Wonderful endorsements! I’m almost finished with the book and will be spotlighting it on my blog soon. I’ll send you a link. 🙂
That’s great, Michelle. Thank you! For the record, you were the first person in the world to request a review copy of this book. In fact, you requested it before most people even knew it existed! Glad my publisher got a copy to you, and hope you enjoy the rest. Looking forward to reading your review.
Just saw from your website that you’re doing a signing tonight, and are on a panel tomorrow. Hope all that goes well!
Thanks, Andrew! Conferences freak me out a little, but it will be good to see friends! Also, I’m a hardcore fan of your writing. If possible, I will always request your books. I’ve been following the progress of A Virtual for so long, I’m just thrilled to get to read it early!
Ah, thanks Michelle 🙂 Have been feeling a bit down this week, and your comments really cheered me up.
Congratulations Andrew! Such nice endorsements. I am so glad it is coming out in e-form earlier, it will be easy for me to get it here 🙂
Best Wishes!
Thanks, Nivedita! E-books make it a lot easier to get books internationally, as I discovered when I was living in Barbados. Hope you get your copy easily, and that you enjoy it. I appreciate the comment!
Andrew, from the description this book looks to be fantastic! It looks like it hits on many of these odd but real situations that the modern world has thrust us into. I cannot wait to read it!
Thanks Brian! Yes, I tried to hit on some of those. Seems to me that fiction writers are only beginning to grapple with the new world we’re living in, so there’s lots of material there. Thanks for the message 🙂
Excited to read this, hoping my local will have it, though if not Amazon it is. I’m not sure when it will be but it’s likely you can expect a review from my sometime 🙂 Hope the launch goes well, and you should talk about the book here all you want!
Thanks, Charlie 🙂 I will talk about it, but am just worried about turning people off. Thanks for the reassurance! Hope your local does have it. My publisher was just saying in a meeting the other week that he’d like to do more with independent bookshops, so if you let me know what your local is called, I can ask him to contact them and make sure they stock it.
That’s great news, Andrew! I can’t wait to read it, and for the record, until recently I had no idea people can actually request review copies. I thought it was the other way around! 🙂
Thanks Delia. Did you get your copy yet? Yes, often publishers approach reviewers, but reviewers can also request copies of books they’re particularly interested in – I’ve done that a few times.
I suppose also I’ve done it that way around with regular readers of this blog, because I don’t want to put pressure on my online ‘friends’ to review my book. I only did it with you because you said you couldn’t get it in Thailand.
Maybe I am worrying too much, though, and should just ask! It’s difficult…
I didn’t get a copy yet but your publisher contacted me and offered to send the e-book version. I said I’d rather wait for the paper book to come out. I’m still not sold on reading from a screen, I have a Samsung tablet I can use as an e-reader but it’s a pain…
I understand your reluctance to approach people but you never know, especially in this day and age when so many are ok with reading e-books.
Your offer is very much appreciated and I look forward to holding the actual book in my hands. Is it too much to ask for an autograph as well? 🙂
Yes, I remember you don’t like e-books! I don’t like them much either. I’ll have a word with my publisher and see if we can coordinate the signed copy! If I meet them before they send the book out, then of course I’ll sign it for you 🙂 But I’m not sure when they’re sending it, and whether I’ll have a chance to go to their office first.
That sounds great, thank you!