Brilliant Blags

A few more fantastic freebies today, one of which I can't believe I got. Apart from a copy of John Courtenay Grimwood's End of the World Blues, I managed to get my hands on a proof of Barry Unsworth's The Ruby in Her Navel (which is on the Booker Shortlist), and a "Specially Produced Bound Manuscript" of John Le Carre's The Mission Song. It says on the cover that it's one of just five copies, so I'm going to take extra-special care of it until it's worth millions and I can retire to the Maldives.

 

However, by far and away my best blag today was the numbered proof of Stephen King's new novel, Lisey's Story, which is apparently due out this November. I'm a huge Stephen King fan and would consider doing seriously illegal things in order to meet him, so this is one I'm really looking forward to reading.  I also heard through the grapevine that there's a good chance he'll be coming to the UK in November to promote this, so stay tuned for further info. If I can actually have my picture taken with the man, I may be too awestruck to actually say anything beyond the odd wheeze or burble.