Shopping Basket

Behind-The-Books Blog

As predicted…

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Those of you who are devoted A&B blog-readers may remember an entry I posted back in April about the development of a new breed of novel: the mobile phone novel, or keitai shousetsu (the original Japanese name) . These fast-paced, condensed novels have taken Japan by storm, selling in their millions and in some cases going on to become ‘regular’ novels in the conventional book form. I predicted back then that it wouldn’t take long for the craze to make its way across the water to these fair isles…although even I didn’t expect it to make such speedy progress. I read at the weekend that Stewart Neville, a novelist from Northern Island, has recently written his first book – entirely on his mobile phone. Granted, he then went on to post it on a website – where it gained the ringing endorsement of James Ellroy, who described it as ‘the best first novel I have read in years’ – but still, this could be the first case of the mobile phone novel in the UK. Stewart Neville now has a publishing deal on both sides of the Atlantic and is already working on a sequel.
So watch out, the craze may be spreading your way! For any aspiring writers out there, perhaps it’s time to put away the laptop and grab your mobile instead!

Louise Watson, Editor

Leave a Comment

  • Currently we are...

  • ...Recommending

    Sara: Corialanus. I love the way Ralph Fiennes has made this story so relevant to modern life, while still retaining Shakespeare's language. I did think Mr Fiennes was guilty of overacting at some points, but I suppose that's what he does...

  • ...Reading

    Persuasion, by Jane Austen. Sara: Yes, I'm still on my Jane Austen kick. After this one I will try reading something new...

  • ...Loving

    Chiara: Biona Organic products.

  • ...Realising

    Lesley: Wooly hat + overlong fringe = health hazard.