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25^th July 2010 - Pics from the ‘Maxwell’s…’ launch and more FREE fiction.

Hello again, hope you’re well.

We’ve stuck some pics from the launch of Andy Rivers top tome ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’ in our gallery – they were taken about thirty seconds before Andy headed off on a five day bender to celebrate his birthday, we won’t tell you how old he is but it rhymes with naughty! The book itself is going down well as evidenced by the comments we’re getting (some of which are appearing on our ‘Your Shout page) the latest review is from the quality blog ‘For Book’s Sake’ and they seemed to like it as well.

Also, as ever, we’ve got some class free fiction for you on our Radgepacket Online page. This time you can read some inner city tales from Brian Donnachie, Mark Byrne and Paul Brazill – gratis man! You can’t go wrong.

Anyway, that’s it from us – there’s barbeque left overs to eat and drink so we’re offski!

See you later

23rd June 2010 - Maxwell’s Silver Hammer Launch ‘do’, An interview with Andy Rivers and a bit of news about one of our mates.

Afternoon,

Canny weather isn’t it?

Anyway, to business. Our newest release ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’ is being launched on Saturday 10^th July at 10:30 in conjunction with Oxfam at their new Books and Music store on St. Georges Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Obviously Oxfam will be benefiting from a hefty percentage of the proceeds and, should you stay there all day, not only will you get to listen to some top acoustic acts in the afternoon you will also get the opportunity to listen to the Author of ‘Maxwells..’ Andy Rivers as he talks nonsense before getting him to sign your copy. So there you have it – get yourself a signed, edgy, contemporary British crime novel by an up-and-coming author, help out a worthwhile charity and listen to some soothing tunes on a summers day…everyone’s a winner!

Further to this we’ve managed to pin down the boy Rivers for his thoughts on…well…lager mainly…see the interview HERE.

And finally, news reaches us that one of our mates (top crime author Sheila Quigley) is doing signings all over the North East to promote the new paperback version of her smash hit novel ‘The Road to Hell’ – catch her if you can, cos she’s ‘proper’ like.

Right, I’m off to stock up on barbeque stuff, where’s me baseball bat for Tesco’s…?

Later.

20^th May 2010 - An interview with Allan Guthrie, more quality FREE fiction, another Radge4 review and some good news about Danny King.

Bonjour Byker boys and girls. Summer’s coming – hope you’re ready!

Anyway, lots to tell you this time around. We’ve managed to pin down busy agent and author Allan Guthrie to get his views on..well…everything really. We’ve acquired FOUR new FREE stories for you from Gareth Mews, Ragna Brent, Annemaria Cooper and Jon Tait – just click the link :- Radgepacket Online

Radgepacket Volume Four continues to be well received with ‘The Crack’ being the latest hip and happening magazine to lap up our take on British life – see HERE.

Oh some good news about our mate Danny King as well – he’s been nominated for the ‘Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance’ for his book Blue Collar and gets to drink for free at a gala night in that swanky London place in June when they announce the winner. I think we’re all crossing our fingers for you Danny…but don’t be getting all poncy if you win eh!

Right that’s about it – time to get the factor fifty out for the weekend…us Northern boys burn you know…

Later

14^th April 2010 - Winners of the Nick Quantrill competition, An interview with the mighty Ray Banks and more quality FREE fiction.

Alreet,

Yup it’s true, we cornered Ray Banks and beat some answers out of him – see HERE if you don’t believe me.

The winners of the Nick Quantrill comp for a signed first edition copy of his future crime classic ‘Broken Dreams’ are :-

Cal Desmond-Pearson

Kevin Malton

Books on their way chaps and commiserations to the losers but there’s always next time.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve only gone and got you two more top stories from UV Ray and Revell Cornell. You can find them HERE

Also, as you might expect, Radgepacket4 is going down well with all of the cool people. Reviews are starting to appear here, there and everywhere so here’s one to be going on with from the good people at ‘Big Beat from Badsville’ (scroll down) a proper book blog and no mistake!

Right, I’m off to look for somewhere that sells deep fried Mars Bars – they’re canny good apparently – can someone with first Aid training be on standby to re-start my heart? Cheers.

25^th March 2010 - A new service for budding writers, a new author signed, more quality FREE fiction and a bit of gossip from the Radge4 launch.

Alreet Kids,

How’s ya weekend been then? That good eh? Nice one.

Anyway, lots to tell you this time around. You might have seen the press release we sent out about signing up Tom Arnold and Andy Rivers at the Radge4 launch – well we’ve mentioned Andy’s book (Maxwell’s Silver Hammer) before but Tom’s effort ‘Dumb Luck’ is now in our grasp and will be with you around October time – believe me it’s a corker!

Andy and Tom both signed their contracts at the launch in a bit of showmanship from your favourite publisher of radgies and reprobates and then proceeded to get smashed in the hostelries of Newcastle upon Tyne – now that’s the kind of author we like to deal with. Incidentally, at the aforementioned launch we were compared to Factory records and yours truly was likened to the late, great Tony Wilson – smashing! Mind you, I think I’ll let Andy and Tom fight it out over who gets to be New Order and who has to be A Certain Ratio….

We’ve fired SIX (that’s 6!) new FREE stories up on the site for you – just click the link :-

Radgepacket Online

And that service we mentioned – basically it’s this. We’ve been approached by a few people with regard to getting their prose/short stories/poetry printed up for them in book form and have fought shy of it to be honest. We’ve seen what vanity publishers do, and frankly, we’re not big fans. However, having put our considerable brains to work we think we may have come up with a less pricy alternative to the £900 quid usually charged by the likes of Authorhouse etc and we’ve managed a few value added bits as well.

Anyway, there’s no hard sell from us, we are primarily a publisher of ‘Industrial Strength Fiction’ and ‘Working Class Sport’ in the old fashioned way BUT if you’re interested in getting your collection/novel published and on sale on Amazon etc via our new service then give me a shout and I’ll go through the whys and wherefores with you. If you’re not interested then that’s fine as well we won’t mention it unless you do.

Right, I’m off to buy a dozen Easter Eggs, they’re not presents mind I’m just greedy!

Later

22^nd February 2010 - Competition to win signed originals, interview with rising star of crime fiction and yet more quality FREE fiction.

Hello there,

How’s tricks? Ready for Summer yet – can’t be far away now surely.

Anyway, in an effort to stave off those winter blues we’ve put together a tasty soup filled with morsels from the world of profanity filled literature just for you.

For instance, we’ve got an interview with Nick Quantrill, the author of soon to be released crime fiction novel ‘Broken Dreams’ as well as a competition to win one of two signed, first edition copies of the aforementioned blockbuster.

Add to that the fact that we’ve stuck another three top quality short stories on the ‘Radgepacket Online’ page from Nick Boldock, Julie Morgan and Paul Brazill and you’ll probably forget that it ever snowed in this country at all!

Just in case you’re still feeling a bit chilly though you can warm your bones against the fact that the mighty (and best ever) Radgepacket 4 is released in just over three weeks time and we’re launching it at The Back Page in Newcastle on March 13^th at 15:00 – come along and have a drink with us and bit of a spraff.

So there you go – all toasty now eh?

Later

20^th January 2010 - The new and improved Radgepacket, launch event and more FREE fiction.

Hellllooooo,

How the devil are you? 2010 shaping up ok? Good.

We’ve got a bit of news we thought you might be interested in – the launch date and venue for ‘Radgepacket 4’ – as well as a triple header on the site (that’s three for anyone who went to a worse school than me….) from the mighty Stephen Cooper.

They’re on the site now and are entitled:-

A Huge Mistake

Clueless

A Ride’s A Ride

All FREE as usual and all class as usual.

Now then, the previous three 'Radgepacket' collections have shaken up the established literary order and this one will be no exception. With over twenty different stories of madness, murder and mayhem Radgepacket Volume Four will be launched on Saturday 13^th March at ‘The Back Page’ in Newcastle upon Tyne between the hours of 15:00 and 17:00.

As for the ‘new and improved’ bit, well get this. We’ve removed the interviews and competitions and have instead added more pages and even more stories. Radge4 has twenty two stories and is still double cheap at only £5.99- that’s less than 30p per story man – it’s for nowt!

For those of you who don’t know it ‘The Back Page’ is one of Britain’s best (if not the actual best) sports book shops and carries a massive range of books and other sporting paraphernalia, not to mention the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet anywhere…ever!

The full address is :

56 St. Andrews Street
Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 5SF

So come along, have a drink with us (might even get some nibbles – I said might…) get a copy of the new and improved Radgepacket, get it signed by the contributors in attendance and hear a bit of spiel from my good self – what’s not to like man?

Cheers

December 8th 2009 - Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine.

Morning All,

How’s it gannin then? Got all your pressies in yet? Fell out with your spouse in a shopping centre whilst being jostled by red faced desperados in ‘leisure wear’, queued up for hours in a massive supermarket that’s only got four tills on? Christmas is great isn’t it….

You could take the pressure off a wee bit by ordering some of our books via the net and letting someone else do the trudging about. How about ‘I’m Rivelino’ a football based journey through life that will strike a chord with every bloke, everywhere,ever! Or even ‘More Burglar Diaries’ the hilarious new book from cult, comic crime author Danny King. They’re both available from ‘Lovereading.co.uk’ at discounted prices and you’ll get them quicker and cheaper than you would from Amazon.

Just click HERE

As well as sorting out all your book related present needs we’ve also got some brand new, quality short fiction for you – absolutely gratis!

New stories from Nick Quantrill, Craig Douglas and Gareth Mews are on the Radgepacket Online page and are well worth a read.

So then, with all that done it just leaves me to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We’ve had a good one here at Byker Books and hope you’ve enjoyed/not hated too much the shite we’ve thrown your way this year – see you in 2010!

Have a good un

November 6th 2009 - Drinking and Signing!

Right then. As promised - the DK signing is sorted :-

Come and meet Danny at the newly refurbished 'Buck and Bell' public house in Banbury (50-52 North Bar Street, OX16 0TH) at 14:00 on Saturday 14th November where you'll not only get the chance to buy a DISCOUNTED copy of the book and to have Danny sign it as well as answer any questions you may have. There'll also be a limited opportunity to purchase HEAVILY DISCOUNTED Byker Books titles featuring Danny when you buy a copy of 'More Burglar Diaries.'

Throw in the fact that the pub also does nice lunches (particularly the baked potatoes!) and you can have a pint in a quiet corner whilst you read your newly signed quality book and everyone's a winner - In fact you might as well get a couple and that's some of ya Christmas pressies sorted as well!!

In case you're wavering here's a review of the book from the highly influential 'Lovereading.co.uk' website:-

Lovereading view...

You may have seen the BBC3 TV series “Thieves Like Us” about a pair of jobbing burglars. Despite the dubious career choice, Bex and Ollie are lovable characters who have a certain morality when it comes to burglary and don’t take things of sentimental value. In More Burglar Diaries we follow Bex and Ollie on various “jobs” getting themselves into scrapes and brushes with the law while trying to keep on the right side of their girlfriends. Danny King is one of those bubbling under talents that deserves to be up there with some of our best comedy writers.

Any other questions then feel free to give me a shout.

See you there.

October 27^th 2009 – ‘More Burglar Diaries’…it’s nearly here!

Helllooooo,

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am – no, not like that!

The long awaited sequel to Danny King’s ‘Burglar Diaries’ will be released into the big wide world on November 9^th. Yes, the imaginatively titled ‘More Burglar Diaries’ will be on it’s way in time for Christmas and, whilst we may be a tad biased, we think it’s fucking excellent!

We’re currently sorting out the whys and wherefores of launching the sure fire cert for every prize going next year in true Byker Books style….in a pub…in Oxfordshire…so we’ll let you know as and when that’s occurring. In the meantime and if you want to pre-order your copy now, you can find it on Amazon, Waterstones, etc… here’s a couple of links:-

Amazon

Waterstones

Also, we’ve noticed the whole ‘group’ thing has changed on Facebook so we’re going to resurrect our ‘fan page’ thingy – we’ll keep the group going but it’s easier to update people via the fan page so feel free to ‘become fans’ of Byker Books…and tell ya mates too as well!

Our 'Fan Page' thingy on Facebook!

Later.

September 15^th 2009 – News from BB Towers, more FREE stories and...news on the long awaited sequel to ‘The Burglar Diaries’

Bonjour,

How goes it in your world? Actually, I really am interested, feel free to tell me cos I’m right nosey me like.

Anyway, ‘Rivelino’ and ‘Radgepacket3’ are continuing to sell and will undoubtedly be considered modern classics and be taught to English classes in a hundred years time…so you’d best get your copies now if you want your kids to have a headstart at school…bad parenting really if you don’t that’s all I’m saying…!

We’ve given you some top quality fiction again for nowt, see below :-

King of The Toilet

Dog

The Buzz

The Island

There’ll be something for everyone amongst these excellent stories we’re sure.

And finally, Danny King’s long awaited sequel to the mighty ‘Burglar Diaries’ is nearly here. The cover has been confirmed, the bookblock proofread and the printer contacted. Yes, the imaginatively titled ‘More Burglar Diaries’ will be on it’s way in time for Christmas and, whilst we may be a tad biased, we think it’s fucking excellent!

Have a look at the blurb and then get it on your pressie list – you won’t be disappointed!

Right that’s it for now, I’m off to throw stones at slack jawed, tracksuit clad charvas (chavs if you’re southern!).

Later.

August 26^th 2009 – News from BB Boulevard and more FREE stories.

Alreet troops? How’s your summer been then – wet? Aye thought so. That means you’ve probably exhausted your whole book stash and wouldn’t mind something else to read eh……

Luckily, we’ve still some copies of ‘Rivelino’ available which might help you forget all about the shite weather – but don’t take our word for it, see what the achingly hip North East Magazine ‘The Crack’ had to say about it :-

Like the best of the “I was there” reminisinces Rivers isn’t so much concerned with match reports, but gives you a flavour – more than a flavour – the full spectrum of what it is like to be a football fan. And naturally, being a Newcastle United fan, this spectrum of emotions swoop from high to low (to lower) almost match by match. It helps that it’s well written, funny and most importantly smacks of the truth; a truth than any true football fan will recognize. Running from the 70s through to the present day, any student of broken dreams will lap this up.

Now obviously, we’ve also provided you with a couple of cracking bits of fiction - For NOWT as well, try doing that in Waterstones and see where it gets you…court probably. Nick Quantrill and Craig Douglas doing the honours with :-

Sucker Punch

Opportunity Knocks

Right, that’s about it, other than we understand Andy Rivers was in Newcastle recently doing another signing and radio show – he’ll want paying next – and there may be one coming up in Milton Keynes soon if anyone’s interested?

Anyway, must go, this crossword won’t finish itself.

Later

August 3rd 2009 - News and exclusive pics from the big ‘Rivelino’ signing sessions, yet more FREE top quality fiction and the reviews are coming in…gulp!

Bonjour Troops, how goes it?

The big signing session weekend at Borders went off in fine style. Our author, the boy Rivers, was his usual wisecracking, smartarsed self which seemed to go down well with both his audiences. The book ‘I’m Rivelino’ has been very well received by the general public and Radge3 also appeared to be well liked.

We’ve stuck some pics up in the gallery of the weekend’s events for you to take a look at and while you’re there you can check out the following stories :-

Taking Yourself In Hand

Poetic Justice

Rivelino has also been reviewed recently in various places so we’ve stuck them up on our ‘press cuttings’ page for your delectation.

Finally, for those of you that have dreams of seeing your work in book form but can’t really afford the time or money needed to go it alone or spend thousands on a dodgy publisher then keep watching this space – we may just have something of interest to you over the next few weeks…mysterious aren’t we.

Right then, I think I can hear the kettle boiling so that’s me. Have a good un

July 17^th 2009 - The big ‘Rivelino’ signing session approaches, the author becomes a radio star and…can you believe it’s possible…we’ve only given you more FREE quality fiction!

How’s it going fellow readers and writers?

As the launch date for ‘I’m Rivelino’ gets ever closer our intrepid author – the boy Rivers – has been doing some promo work of his own. He managed to blag his way onto the afternoon show at Radio Newcastle on 15^th July and plug the book – see the gallery for evidence of his cheek!

Also, he’ll be marking the launch of his debut book with not one but two (that’s TWO!) signing sessions at both North East Borders stores. If you’re in the Wallsend/North Tyneside area on Saturday 1^st August then you could do worse than pop along to the Borders store on the Silverlink Shopping Park at 12.30ish to say hello, buy a book and give him some stick. Similarly if you’re in the Gateshead area from 15.00 then he’ll be in Borders on the Team Valley Estate for more of the same.

Actually, why don’t you go to both and just give him double the grief – he’s a cheeky nowt so he probably deserves it!

Also, as promised in the above headline we’ve published some more top quality and totally free short fiction for your perusal.

Dirt Under the Nails

Geezer

Politicking

Finally, as we mentioned last time, Radgepacket 3 is now freely available from various Borders and all the usual online retailers. It contains seventeen separate stories, a free competition to win a signed novel and an interview with one of Britains brightest literary prospects…all for £5.99 – absolute lunacy man!

Right, I’m off to the job centre…don’t ask!

Adios muchachos

July 2nd 2009 – ‘Rivelino’ hits the presses, more free fiction and ‘Radge3’ is tickling people’s fancies…..

Afternoon all,

Our full length debut ‘I’m Rivelino – A life of Two Halves’ by rising star Andy Rivers is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Here’s a bit of background for you :-

About The Author

Andy Rivers has been a Butlins Barman, pretend chippie on a Spanish construction site, coach holiday rep, mobile sandwich salesman and outdoor traffic cone washer to name but a few of his eclectic 'career' choices. Interesting as these jobs were, none of them will ever match standing drunkenly on a wind swept, rain soaked terrace in a t-shirt whilst your team is battered four nil at home...and if you understand the logic of that then you definitely should buy this book!

Blurb

‘When you consider them in a football sense you think of 'little Rotherham playing Newcastle? Oh the romance of the cup.’ Well all I could see was fifteen stone, pie eating nutters covered in tattoos and no matter how much aftershave they'd slapped on there'd be no f**king romance going on there I can tell you...!’

Thanks to a family member taking him to his first match in the early seventies whilst he was at a young and impressionable age Andy Rivers discovered Newcastle United. Given the stress and despair this has caused him over the last thirty years it's fair to assume that this action would be considered child abuse today. His story, peppered with terrace wit and rough charm, will be identified with by supporters everywhere.

Now if that’s not enough to get your juices flowing then you’ll also be pleased to hear we’ve stuck three new stories on the site for your reading pleasure.

Showbiz

A Dog Named Dave

Sneyd Green Karaoke Queen

They’re all different and they’re all good so get yourself on there.

Finally, as we mentioned last time, the latest volume in the Radgepacket collection is now freely available from various Borders and all the online retailers – it’s been very well received (and rightly so cos it’s quality!) so if you haven’t got one yet do yourself a favour and take a look.

Radgepacket3

Right, I’m off for an ice cream…

Bis Spater kids

June 8^th 2009 – Radgepacket Three hits the presses!

Yes, it’s true, the next volume in our critically(*) acclaimed ‘Radgepacket’ series is rolling off the press as we speak.

Britains best ‘working class’ author, the tremendous Danny King has this to say about our latest effort :-

A perfect showcase for some of Britain's best unsigned authors and a must for all readers interested in taking a detour off the beaten mainstream

I'm proud to be part of the Radgepacket revolution. And in twenty years time, when they've conquered the known literary world, I can say I was in there from the start – and still haven't been paid.

…..

Danny King

Yes Danny, very funny, now get back to work on churning out ‘More Burglar Diaries’ the masterpiece of modern fiction that we’re bringing out at Christmas and who knows, you might get a couple of pints eh!

The official launch date for Radge3 is July 11^th BUT because we’ve got ourselves all organised and everything you can pre-order from Amazon now.

Radge3 at Amazon

So what are you waiting for? Get in there now before they’re all sold out and you’ve missed out on a future cult classic!

Later

(*) Best book in our house June ‘09

May 18^th 2009 – Competition Winners, New Fiction and an announcement!

Afternoon,

The winners of the ‘Radgepacket 2’ competition to win signed copies of Sheila Quigley books are :-

Emer Furey

Angela Fellows

Sarah Kelly

Violet Redgrave

Well done ladies, also we’ve got some new fiction for you to add to the many quality bits of prose already on the site. ‘The Sphinxter’ by Chris Carr can be seen at the ‘Radgepacket Online’ page.

And an announcement…..we’re moving into the full length fiction market.

Our first novel will be released around Nov/Dec ’09 (just in time for xmas – get it on your wish list!) and..we are pleased to announce…it will be….(drum roll please)…..‘More Burglar Diaries’ by the one and only…DANNY KING!

Check out the site for the blurb in our ‘coming soon’ section – but trust me, you’ll love it!

Cheers

Byker Books

Industrial strength fiction...