metro v press association

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

So the highly positive reviews of Smokeheads keep on trundling in, so they do.

First up we have the rather fine four-star review in Metro which ran the other week, but which has for some reason never made it online. So I’ve typed it up like the saddo I am. It’s written by Anthony Cummins who loved the book so much he gave away two deaths and some DIY brain surgery from the plot. Thanks, Anthony!

Ditto for another glowing review, this time from the Press Association, in which Georgina Cotton gave it a very generous 7/10. I’ve always felt book reviews should give percentages – like, this is a 63% good book, that sort of thing. Why not? Anyway, the PA review is there to be picked up by any and all local freesheet papers around the country. If you write for one of them, feel free to pick it up, print it, and spread the word.

There are also at least three interviews still in the pipeline, which I’ll post up once they appear. And at least one more review to come. And a competition. Watch this space. Or not this exact space, you understand, but the general space of this blog.

Adios, compadres!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

smokeheads on criminal-e

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Allan Guthrie is a busy man. When he’s not writing his own brilliant noir novels, editing and agenting for others, becoming an e-book bestselling writer etc, etc, he’s also blogging his ass off on several sites. Including the excellent Criminal-E, where he has very kindly interviewed me about crime writing, e-books and some other shit besides. Check it out here.

When I sent the replies to Al, he got back to me with ‘say what you think, Doug, why don’t you!’. I always worry about reactions like that. I once did a feature on writing for The List magazine, and the editor replied saying ‘very brave piece, Doug.’ To which I thought: ‘Shit, brave? Really? Shit, what does that mean? Career suicidally brave?’

It seems I like to mouth off. Ho hum.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

shots magazine v sea minor et al

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Two great review of Smokeheads have appeared over the weekend. Oh yes.

Firstly, there’s a really very enthusiastic review over at Sea Minor courtesy of Nigel P. Bird, who also posted his review on Good Reads, Kindle Users Forum and Amazon.com – what a stand-up guy.

And then there’s a cracking write up over at Shots ezine, thanks to Calum MacLeod, who gets extra points for spotting the cheeky wee reference to the movie of The 39 Steps in the book.

Smart, erudite and dashing men, both of them.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

me talking about books

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Latest little bit of online press, in the form of me blethering on about books to Untitled Books website. Very nice.

Also, apparently I’m ‘Scotch Whisky News’. That is according to Whisky Intelligence. More news about the hook up between book and booze to follow soon.

There’s a wee bit more review news for the book as well. Firstly, there is a rather nippy review on The Dabbler website courtesy of Ian Buxton, who knows his whisky. Despite spending the whole review having a pop, he still manages to write: ‘Smokeheads has a page-turning energy that can’t be denied.’ I’m not gonna link to it, why increase their traffic, eh?

Other reviews – apparently there’s a four star one in today’s Metro, but I haven’t seen it yet. Also, there’s allegedly one coming on Eurocrime, watch this space. I’ll post em up once I have em. Also, there’s a very nice Press Association review kicking around, again, I’ll post once it’s online.

There are a few more online features still to come, as well as more competitions to win booze and books.

Oh, and as a cheeky wee teaser, I might have some good news on the film rights front soon. But whatever you do, don’t hold your breath, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for your untimely demise.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

the guardian likes smokeheads

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

So, Smokeheads got a great write up in The Guardian at the weekend there. Laura Wilson wrote about it in the Crime Fiction Roundup, and if you can’t be bothered clicking here to read the whole thing (it’s really quite short and won’t take up much of your time), here’s a choice quote:

It will have you laughing and wincing in equal measure as – thanks to the passion with which Johnstone writes about his main subject – you are left punch-drunk by the whisky fumes that rise from the page.

‘Punch-drunk by the whisky fumes’, I like that a lot, thanks Laura.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

the times v spinetingler

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Two amazing reviews of Smokeheads were brought to my attention yesterday that highlight the variety of modern journalism. The first of ’em was in some newspaper called The Times, by Peter Millar. You have to pay to see online content at their website, so here it is in full. Choice quote:

This is a hugely atmospheric thriller soaked in the spirit of life on the outer fringes of the British Isles: Local Hero in reverse, a Scottish Straw Dogs laced with whisky and gore.

Next up is far and away the funniest, sweariest and most positive review of the book so far, courtesy of Nerd of Noir in Spinetingler Magazine. Choice quote:

Smokeheads is gonna be a major discovery this year for crime cultists, dear reader, I can feel that shit in my bones… This shit is too intense, too insightful, and too fucking fresh not to get some great notices.

With apologies to Mr Noir for omitting his boner gag.

I don’t know either Peter Millar or this Nerd of Noir legend, but I love them both like brothers, and if I ever meet ’em, they are getting a big dram bought.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

number one with a bullet

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Ahem. Smokeheads is apparently a Number One Bestseller!

OK, that statement needs some clarification. If you head over to the Publishing Scotland website, you’ll see the book is indeed number one in their Scottish Bestsellers List. This is almost entirely due to a statistical anomaly, because they’ve taken the chart from one shop, where I played a gig last week and charmed the audience into buying a few books. Nevertheless, for (presumably) one week only, I am lording it over Maggie O’Farrell, Alexander McCall Smith and Jackie Kay. Ho ho.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

after the smokerush

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Well the last couple of weeks have been a bit nuts, lots of live events in bookshops, festivals, libraries, bars and clubs, as well as loads of print and online reviews for Smokeheads coming through, and various competitions to boot. Felt pretty overwhelmed by it all, mostly in a very good way. So I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the support so far, really. And also to say, you know, spread the word.

Word of mouth has always been crucial in getting books noticed and read, but it is absolutely vital now more than ever. It’s struck me over the last few weeks how redundant conventional print coverage is for any artistic endeavour – I’ve certainly received less reviews and interviews this time round, partly because this book is more of a genre work therefore ignored by the mainstream press, but also simply because the newspapers have bugger all space to review anything now, thanks to extreme budget cuts. I know, I write reviews.

In comparison, online reviews, interviews and mentions through social networking, blogs etc have become the currency of publicity for literature, and a great thing that is too, because it strikes me as much more democratic, cutting out the self-appointed arbiters of literary taste at newspapers and getting information about books out to readers directly.

So, thanks again. And spread the word. If you’ve read Smokeheads and enjoyed it, please don’t be shy about telling folks. And if you haven’t read it – what are you doing wasting your time reading this crap when you could be getting stuck into it?

That’s all. More chat about further press coverage, competitions and so on as and when it pops up in the ether.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , | Leave a comment

more smokeheads press and stuff

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

A few more bits and bobs appeared over the last few days, all added to the Press page. Firstly, there’s a really rather nice review in The Financial Times. Well, well. How pleasant. And there is a considered and balanced review over on the Manic Pop Thrills blog, from someone who has actually read the previous books as well – not very common, that.

Not a review as such, but the book also gets quite a nice mention on Islay Blog which, as its name suggests, is a blog about all things Islay. As an aside, I’d love to know what Islay residents make of the book – hopefully they’ll like it, but I guess it does depict the island as a home of nasty violence, so who knows, eh?

And finally, not really a feature, but here’s something I wrote for the Faber blog, The Thoughtfox, about whisky and fiction and whisky as a metaphor for blah blah blah. It’s OK, I guess, as these things go. Worth a read, if you’re not too busy.

Aye so, more news of interviews, online hoopla and competitions to come soon. All good.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

win a signed smokeheads and some quality whisky

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Doug Johnstone

Please allow me to point you towards the Faber website, where they have a competition to win a signed copy of Smokeheads and, more impressively, a bottle of Smokehead Extra Black 18 whisky. That’s their special expensive whisky that they never even let me taste. In fact, I would enter the competition if I was allowed. Ho hum.

While you’re here, please also enjoy the fantastic trailer for Smokeheads, created by author and all-round good guy Ewan Morrison:

Please read/drink/view responsibly. Or not.

Posted in doug johnstone | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment