News 1 March 2002

New Acquisitions:

88! Which was signed some time ago has now been scheduled for Autumn 2002 and the title changed to HOMELANDS. The first four chapters are in and make gripping reading. HOMELANDS is the story of one man's encounters with the men and women at the heart of the white supremacist movement. In a powerful, compelling and occasionally disturbing narrative, the author charts the growth of hate and violence in the streets of Europe and the USA. US rights have already been sold but the rest of the world is still available.

A new signing from Farrar, Straus and Giroux in the States is THE GLOVES: A BOXING CHRONICLE which we anticipate will follow Mainstream's success with other boxing books like McILVANNEY ON BOXING and DARK TRADE by Donald McRae. DARK TRADE is one of two Mainstream titles to have won the prestigious WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD and we are confident that with THE GLOVES we could have a third.

There has been an enormous amount of interest in FRAMED by Tod Volpe since it was featured in the web newsletter last week. The material is so sensitive that confidentiality letters will have to be signed before the final manuscript can be sent out. For more information about the book please e-mail fiona.brownlee@mainstreampublishing.com

IMMINENT LAUNCHES:

In 2000, at the age of 60, Jennifer Murray became the first woman to pilot a helicopter solo around the world. The story of her adventure is recounted in NOW SOLO which is will be launched on the final day of the London Book Fair at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge. Jennifer's husband, Simon Murray is the best-selling author of LEGIONNAIRE and the movie 'Simon', based on the book will have it's Charity Premiere in Leicester Square in April. In June 2002 Jennifer will be presented with the 'Harmon Trophy' in the USA for her outstanding aviation achievement. Amongst previous recipients - Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart. World rights are available.

FORTHCOMING PUBLICITY

THE SURVIVOR, like many books about crime and violence, suffered from lack of press coverage in the aftermath of September 11th. It is now going to be extracted in the launch issue of new men's mag WATCH magazine, out on 7th March.

The News of the World's serialisation of TERROR ON THE PITCH begins this weekend and the author will be in the UK to promote the book at the time of the London Book Fair. Numerous BBC Radio Interviews are already lined up including the Nicky Campbell Show on Radio 5.

Ian Black, author of THE TARTAN ARMY, has been causing controversy in the media this week. He was interviewed on the Jimmy Young Show (Radio 2) and the Nicky Campbell Show (Radio 5) last week talking about the reasons why Scotland fans shouldn't support England in the World Cup.

And Finally:

Madonna has inadvertently helped he promotional push for FRAMED by announcing this week that she is to make her West End stage debut playing an ambitious art dealer. Will she be basing her character on Tod Volpe?!