Legend Press

Lee Henshaw's new website

Lee Henshaw author of Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room has a new website www.lee-henshaw.com. Visit the website to see videos of Lee, music that inspired Queer Fish and links to reviews and interviews.

Who are your favourite writers/influences and why?

"I can’t say that I have favourites. There are plenty that I like, but when I decide to read a book it rarely has anything to do with the author. Today I chose Brick Lane over Willard and his Bowling Trophies and A Sort of Life, for example, going for an author I know nothing about over two who I enjoy because I felt like reading something contemporary.

Regarding my influences, I’m like a cushion, I carry the impression of the last person to sit on me."

Order your copy now - £7.99 

Lucy

See our authors on Waterstones.com...

We've recently posted unique videos for three of our authors – Lee Henshaw, Nick Griffiths and Josie Henley-Einion - and now the first two are up on the Waterstone's website, along with full profiles and great question and answer interviews. To view just click on Lee and Nick - both are brilliant and you have to see them (involving a self-interview and melon respectively).

Josie's is to follow shortly, but while you're there make sure you place an order for the great books. Waterstones.com has been a breath of fresh air since its launch and from all reports has exceeded expectations. We look forward to working with them a lot more over the coming months and onwards.

Tom

Introducing the short film of Queer Fish

Have been waiting eagerly for this and very excited now it's here. Documentary-maker Amir Jamal (Weddings and Beheadings; British, Paki and Proud; Who Wants to be a Mullah?) has made a short film about Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room. Is was filmed in the studio of hip-hop artist Akira the Don and includes Lee interviewing himself.

Unmissable, and now you've seen it, you'll have to make sure you've ordered your copy of this great book and don't need to go anywhere else to do so. Enjoy!

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room   
by Lee Henshaw
‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.
ORDER NOW £6.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

More from Queer Fish/Lee Henshaw...

There's no stopping QUEER FISH IN GOD'S WAITING ROOM by Lee Henshaw this week. Following reviews and sellings out, there's more coverage:

1. WriteWords have interviewed Lee in addition to yesterday's excellent review

2. Hip hop artist Akira The Don has written about the novel on his blog

3. More video footage on Lee's blog from recent events

4. Author to appear at another upcoming Legend Press event at Stamford Hill Library in London

5. And don't forget you can read the whole first third right here

If you haven't already, order this great little book right now:

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room   
by Lee Henshaw
‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.
ORDER NOW £6.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

'Hysterically funny', 'brought me to tears' - Queer Fish

It's been a great couple of weeks for QUEER FISH IN GOD'S WAITING ROOM by Lee Henshaw - promotions, national reviews, selling out on Amazon, and now there is a further review to add to the growing list of rave support - this time at Writewords, one of the UK's top writer sites.

In fact, I'm also going to pate it here:

Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room is essentially a love letter to author Lee Henshaw’s girlfriend notably referred to throughout as ‘My Claire’. It is also hysterically funny and the ultimate in Lad Lit as the writer brings as much sensitivity to his male MC as he does macho bravado.

The reader also learns the step by step recipe for the infamous ‘Blackberry bath bong’ which is already a hit on You Tube, catch Lee reading that passage on the site. This hilarious holiday road story takes our three lads from Macclesfield to New York, Mexico City and Venezuela. They get drunk, sober up, throw up, eat, get drunk again and end up at a pole dancing club where a naked woman asks if they’d like to lick cream from her nether regions. One of the lads responds, ‘Full fat or Low fat?’. The heat rises from the page as the author paints a truly authentic picture of life on the beach and seedy fan fuelled motel rooms. One is almost reaching for an icy beer with a slice of lime or a Margarita cocktail to compliment the read .Fortunately the MC, Liam Kerby, is a sensitive lad and there’s a very touching scene at the end of the book when he confronts his younger brother James, called throughout – ‘Brother James’ about his sexist attitude toward the lovely Claire that brought tears to my eyes.

QFIGWR is indebted to Hemmingway and gratefully acknowledged, but Henshaw is anything but in the great man’s his shadow. I look forward to reading more from this very promising author. Bring them on.

Review by Julie Balloo

Need I say any more? If you haven't already, order right now - you can't miss out on this new hit.

Tom

Guardian review leads to Queer Fish selling out on Amazon

Following The Guardian review of QUEER FISH IN GOD’S WAITING ROOM by Lee Henshaw on Saturday (16th February), we were delighted to see the novel sold out within 48 hours on Amazon and at their supporting wholesalers.

This is the latest sign that the short novel, launched 2nd February, is proving a major hit among readers and in response we've decided to post a third of the book available to view:

Download Queer Fish

Along with a trailer video from the author:

Following the fantastic review in The Guardian and with the high-street chains throwing their full weight behind the novel, we wanted everyone to have a chance to see what the fuss is about – so we decided to post the extract for all to read. Digital content in increasingly demanded by the consumer and we hope to see this further driving sales among hooked readers! So if you like it, order your copy of the fantastic novel right here:

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room   
by Lee Henshaw
‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.
ORDER NOW £6.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

Queer Fish reviewed in The Guardian

With Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room by Lee Henshaw starting to make a major mark since it's recent launch, it was very exciting to see it chosen for review this weekend by Nicholas Clee in The Guardian - and an excellent review at that.

As well as liking the entertaining novel and the author's very skillful craft, it was also nice to have positive comments about Legend Press. In fact, while it being the first of our titles to really catch his eye (fair play at least for honesty - everyone entitled to their view) he believes with Queer Fish 'Legend may be on its way'. Therefore, let's hope this book is the major hit is deserves to be.

I will be fascinated to see the hopefully very positive effect this has on sales, having spoken recently about the changing relationship between the broadsheets and the book market. But first of all, make sure you've ordered your copy - in fact, you can do so right here:

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room   
by Lee Henshaw
‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.
ORDER NOW £6.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

Queer Fish the perfect alternative Valentine’s gift

For those still struggling to decide on that all-important Valentine’s gift, there is an alternative offering making a major mark – the novel QUEER FISH IN GOD’S WAITING ROOM by Lee Henshaw. Written to ask the author’s then-girlfriend to marry him, QUEER FISH is a surreal and hilarious trip through the cities of New York, Caracus and Mexico.

Comedian Dom Joly has described QUEER FISH as ‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant’, and the novel is currently being price-promoted front-of-shop in both Waterstone’s and Borders. For that extra special touch, exclusive signed and messaged copies are available at direct at www.legendpress.co.uk 

Buy now!

If you happen to be around Stoke Newington tonight...

If you happen to be around Stoke Newington tonight, I will be giving a talk at the Stoke Newington Bookshop on surviving as a new writer. I will be joined by the great Charles Beckett from the Arts Council and there may even be a surprise visit from QUEER FISH and legendary author Lee Henshaw. Event starts at 8pm and I believe there's free wine should it be needed for when I'm speaking.

Tom

Need support of the book chains

As you will probably know, Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room officially launched last weekend and in recognition of its huge potential and interest both Waterstone's and Borders put the novel into their front-of-shop price promotions. Quite a rare coup for a first novel and promises excellent things for a great book.

However, having dropped into a couple of branches on the way back from meetings, has been a bittersweet week. Yesterday (5 days after launch) I was told at both a Waterstone's and Borders branch that it wasn't out yet due to unpacking backlog and an unnamed Borders member of staff told me last weekend, assuming I was a random customer, that it was because they were 'bone-a*sed lazy'.

Fair play for honesty I guess but after the hard work to get the books into the promotions, and with the chains wanting major publicity to run with the launch, as a small publisher (or any publisher) we need the support and organisation all the way down to the individual shops. After all, it will cost them business but us, with so much planned and invested, a whole lot more. A bit disappointing – also as we will be judged on first week sales, taken out of our hands in this case, and February is a short promotion month after all so lost days vital.

But to end on a more positive note, put my head round the entrance (quite a feat) of the major Charing Cross Road Borders today and there is was, the first book I noticed on the front table. Hopefully will now make up for lost time.  Actually, as it's Friday and a nice day - a special weekend promotion: if you buy a copy, take a picture in the store and send it in I will send you an extra signed copy absolutely free. Email to tomchalmers@legendpress.co.uk

Have a good weekend and take those pictures.

Tom

Queer Fish author profile on Waterstone's

With the hotly-tipped Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room hitting the shops this Saturday 2nd February, the excellent Waterstone's website has further pushed the book by posting a profile page on Queer Fish author Lee Henshaw.

Lee, recently named in 'The Future 500 Rising Stars' by The Observer, reveals more on his successful background, including founding Way to Blue, now the largest online press and promotions company in Europe, and also his reading likes and dislikes in a question and answer session.

With the novel just days away from launch, comedian Dom Joly describing it as 'Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant', order your copy now.

Tom

Queer Fish off to a flying start...

We had a fantastic launch party for Lee Henshaw's Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room last night. We were lucky enough to hold it at the very cool Riflemaker Art Gallery on Beak Street, Soho, which is an amazing building -- an gun maker's house dating back to 1712. The orginal wooden floors and dimly-lit small rooms, coupled with the striking modern art on display, made a very fitting venue for the launch of such a quirky book.

Much sparkly stuff was consumed (by me too I'm afraid, even though I was serving it!) and after a brilliant reading and short talk, Lee signed the very first copies for guests. Thanks to everyone who came along, it was great to see you there.

If you couldn't make it but like the idea of a signed copy then we can arrange that for you, complete with personalised message. It will only cost you £1 more than the RRP for the book. Not bad eh?

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room   
by Lee Henshaw
‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.
ORDER NOW £6.99           Buy signed copy for £1 extra

                                 

And of course it will also be in shops from Saturday, including in Waterstone's and Borders' multibuy offers, so you won't be able to miss it!

Emma

Lee teams up with hip-hop artist for exclusive mp3 recording -- listen to it now!

If you want to get a sneaky taster of the hot new book you've been hearing lots about, then here's your chance. Just a simple click of this link and you will be transported to the surreal world of Queer Fish:

Download queer_fish_in_gods_waiting_room.mp3

Lee got together with hip-hop artist Akira the Don who provided the music as a backing for this brilliant reading.

Bring on the launch!

Emma
PS -- You can find out more about Akira the Don here.

Queer Fish approaches at lightning speed!

Finally I have been able to haul myself ever so slightly back into the land of the living and have returned to work. Poor Tom, I'm sure that's just what he wanted to start the new year with -- a week being left in the lurch by his sick right hand man (or woman in this case). Luckily Tom knows me well enough to know that if there was anything I could have done to keep soldiering on I would have done it.

As you can all imagine I am now frantically trawling through my list and emails in catch-up mode -- suddenly the launch of our next novel, Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room, seems only milliseconds away. It is in fact just over two weeks until it hits the shops and we're holding a fabulous launch party for it in Soho on Tuesday 29th Jan -- two weeks tomorrow.

We're still confirming numbers but if you're interested in going then drop us an email at info@legendpress.co.uk and we'll see what we can do. Alternatively there will be lots of chances to hear Lee read from the hotly-tipped comedy and sign copies 'hot-off-the-press' at several events coming up very soon. We'll keep you informed of details right here with the blog.

Right -- off to do some more furious fast-pedalling to get through everything today -- can a week's work be done in a day do you think? Hmmm, I think optimism is overrated...

Emma

Free audio recording with limited edition advance orders of Queer Fish!!

As you may well have heard, we signed up Lee Henshaw’s novel Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room after hearing about his ‘shop-gifting’ promotion via the Next-to-Hemingway blog. Lee had 100 copies printed, signed and numbered and they were mysteriously pictured at shops around the UK and world…

Continuing in this vein, we’ve decided to have Lee sign and number the very first 200 copies of Queer Fish straight from the press. These will then be sent to the first 200 customers who advance order a copy prior to its 2nd February launch.

Brilliant? But we’ve decided to add even more in – Lee is recording a reading over Christmas with hip-hop artist Akira The Don and we have decided to include a free recording with each of the 200 copies. A limited edition of the hotly-tipped novel, plus an exclusive free audio recording – must be one of the best advance deals around so order now to be one of the lucky 200!

Pre-order now - just £6.99

Tom

Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room set to make a splash

‘Like some stoned new Kerouac, simply brilliant...’ Dom Joly.

UK comedian Dom Joly has drawn attention to Legend Press’s new novel, Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room, calling the surreal comedy ‘simply brilliant’. This endorsement is the latest indication that Queer Fish, by talented new fiction writer Lee Henshaw, is set to make a strong mark in the book world with its fresh style and quirky form of hilarious story-telling. It will be promoted front-of-shop across all Waterstone's, Borders and Books etc branches from the time of its launch in February and has also already been recommended by Publishing News as one of the best new titles to look out for. (See below).

 

Henshaw originally wrote the book to ask his girlfriend to marry him although the book is far from a standard romance, containing instructions on how to build a blackcurrant bath bong, and featuring a ‘talking fanny’. Luckily the girl in question still said yes and this unusual romantic back-story prompted us to move fast to beat off growing publisher interest. We're publishing the short novel at the start of February in time for it to be available as the perfect non-mushy and non-traditional Valentine’s Day gift, and all signs point to the novel selling strongly throughout 2008 to become one of the hits of the year.

The quirky comedy has already caught the online world’s attention through a popular blog after the author decided to have 100 copies printed to see how many he could get placed (or ‘shop-gifted’) on bookshop shelves next to his near-namesake Hemingway. He publicised his mission through a blog, which he titled ‘Next to Hemingway’ (www.next-to-hemingway.blogspot.com) and copies were ‘shop-gifted’ all over the country and around the world. Pictures were taken on each occasion and can be viewed on the blog and also at Lee’s ‘Next to Hemingway’ facebook group.

Tom's official pess quote for this brilliant new novel is as follows:

“Classically written, yet often unconventional and surreal, this superb book already has a major following as a result of the hugely-popular Next-to-Hemingway blog, and we expect this popularity to grow exponentially when we publish it.

"Set in and around the cities of New York, Mexico and Caracas, Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room is ‘a cautionary tale for elder brothers and their new girlfriends’. Liam Kerby sets out on a series of three trips with Brother James and his best mate Ed Lover, and on the final journey they are joined by My Claire and Ursula Paradise. This is a story of travelling, fun, and ultimately how – without the use of the right words – new relationships can affect those you thought were unshakable. It’s an often surreal, always brilliant comedy.”

Couldn't have put it better myself Tom!

Emma

PS -- Queer Fish is now available to PRE-ORDER right here:

Pre-order now £6.99

Quirky ‘shop-gifting’ blog catches our eye

Legend Press has signed another rare find for our early 2008 list. We are to publish Queer Fish in God’s Waiting Room by Lee Henshaw in February, a quirky comedy which recently came to the online world’s attention through a popular cult blog. 

The book caught our eye after the author decided to have 100 copies printed to see how many he could get placed (or ‘shop-gifted’) on bookshop shelves next to his hero and near-namesake Hemingway. He publicised his mission through a blog, which he titled ‘Next to Hemingway’ (www.next-to-hemingway.blogspot.com) and copies were ‘shop-gifted’ all over the UK and around the world. Pictures were taken on each occasion and can be viewed on the blog and also at Henshaw’s ‘Next to Hemingway’ facebook group.