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News 3 August 2005
New Acquisition
Mainstream is delighted to have acquired rights to CRIMELORD: The Tam McGraw Story by David Leslie. Thisis the gripping life story of elusive multimillionaire gangster Tam McGraw, who rose from extreme poverty to become one of Scotland's wealthiest men. After winning substantial compensation following a horrific factory accident, he bought into the lucrative Glasgow ice cream business, but it wasn't long before he became caught up in the city's notorious ice cream wars, in which rival owners used guns and violence to seize control of the trade in huge housing schemes. Events culminated in six members of the same family being burned alive in 1984 and McGraw was one of a number of suspects arrested. After being cleared of this crime, McGraw continued to sell ice cream by day, while by night he formed and led the infamous Barlanark Team, a gang of robbers who caused havoc for some 15 years. Their exploits were both daring and comical, but when police discovered that hash was being hidden in buses taking young footballers and deprived families on free holidays abroad, McGraw was put under surveillance for two years. The trail led from Morocco, through Gibraltar, Spain and EuroDisney to a garage next to a police depot. The racket netted £40 million and it was claimed that McGraw was the financier, mastermind and director. But, in 1998, a jury declared him innocent while other suspects were jailed. As McGraw refuses to discuss his life publicly, his remarkable story is told through friends, fellow crooks and the occasional rival. It is an outrageous, often hilarious, true gangster story. David Leslie has worked for the News of the World since 1970. Since then, he has covered scores of major stories. He now concentrates on crime and major investigations. World rights are available. If you would like to see a manuscript please contact Karen.brodie@mainstreampublishing.com
Foreign Sales
We are thrilled to announce our first sale to Lebanon for the Arabic rights to RONALDO. Karen Brodie accepted an offer from Bachir Al Kheshen at All Prints. Elizabeth Atkins of ACER Agency negotiated a deal with Brainpix of Portugal for Portuguese rights to CUT-THROAT.
Publicity
There is a great deal of interest in serialisation rights for WAYNE ROONEY by Frank Worrall. The author shadowed Wayne and Coleen for 12 months and this book tells the full, explosive story of Rooney's rise to fame. It delves beneath the headlines and the scandal to build a portrait of his crazy life so far as a young football star. If you are interested in serial rights, please contact Sharon.laptop@mainstreampublishing.com
Neil Doyle, author of TERROR TRACKER, has been interviewed for Channel 4's Dispatches. The programme on the London bombings will be broadcast on 8 August.
More good news for Wayne Thallon, as an extract from his book CUT-THROAT appeared in Nuts magazine at the end of last month.
Sales
Terrific sales for KATHY'S STORY continue. The book is listed at number six in The Bookseller's Top 20 Small Publishers Non-Fiction titles and it also reached number five in the Irish Times paperback, non-fiction bestsellers list. It is now part of Waterstones' successful 3 for 2 offer.
And Finally...
To celebrate the launch of THE LITERARY TRAVELLER IN EDINBURGH, author Allan Foster will be hosting an event in Edinburgh on 23 August. For more information please contact publicity1@mainstreampublishing.com.