Looking at the Pocket Novel Replacement...

The Pocket Novel replacement Easy Read is now available in stores, and it really is a different item in appearance as well as texture.

It's also being sold in places that it didn't previously appear for sale, as I found today.

Popping into the Marks and Spencer food hall in the city centre (for my favourite bottle of wine and four in a pack chocolate éclairs) I passed the magazine display and there were the new reads. And yes they do stand out against the magazines behind them.

Knowing Sally Quilford was going to be one of the first authors in the new line I immediately reached  for her name before looking at the other offerings.

Romance with Liaison and Crime with Intrigue

Not only do they look like a book, but the cover feels like a paperback too.

(excuse the lack of correct colour in my picture, but I'm an amateur at Photoshop.)


The earlier change in cover design- which was an improvement- which had the thicker covers too, just didn't give the feeling of a book, unlike these new
designs.

Yes, they do make you think Mills and Boon when you look at them, but that
can't be all bad when you consider how well M&B books sell.

And with the current trend in black based covers for the latest trend- erotica- it's bound to get potential readers stopping to look at them.

These books certainly won't get their front covers damaged or creased as easily as the old paper pocket novels did.

In fact these could sit quite happily on a bookshelf alongside regular paperbacks.

The only complaint I do have, is that these new issues don't have the title/author name on the spine, so however you store them, you'll have to remember the number of your favourite for re-reading or be prepared to go through them all to find the one you want...

I haven't started reading either of my purchases yet, so how big a change there's been in substance I can't tell you.

But I do think they will be very popular, and with four to choose from each time, I'm sure everyone will find the one or ones they like.

If you pop over to Sally Quilford's blog you have the chance to win a signed copy of her Easy Read story, 'Bonfire Memories', the first in the Intrigue option.

If you've seen the new design in your local stores, how well displayed was it? Does it stand out against the products around it? Where has it actually been placed?

And if you've read any of the new stories what did you think of them?

I'm looking forward to reading your comments... :-)

A Very Short Ghost Story Competition...

A big thank you to Jenny who passed the information on about this Times competition.

Can you write a ghost story in 50 words? Well if you can then this competition is for you.

Susan Hill has launched the prize and you can find her suggestions for how to write a good ghost story here.

"Write your own ghost story in 50 words. The best entry will win £200-worth of selected books chosen by Random House and Profile, plus a signed set of Susan Hill’s ghost stories. Three runners-up will also win signed copies of Hill’s ghost stories."

And of course the essential information about terms and conditions, here. (They cover two pages, so don't miss the 'next' link at the bottom.)

"Send your entry to bookscomp@thetimes.co.uk with Ghost Story in the subject line or post it to Ghost Story, Books, The Times, 3 Thomas More Square, London E98 1TT. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number."

Don't send it as an attachment- it's easy to forget rules like this when you can enter online.

Entries must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 23rd October.

"Winners will be notified by October 29 and their names and answers printed in The Times on October 27. There will be one winner and three runners-up. One entry per person. UK and Republic of Ireland only."

Good luck.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden http://freedigitalphotos.net