Francis Plug is a troubled and often drunk misfit who causes chaos and confusion wherever he goes—and where he most likes to go is to real author events, collecting signatures from the likes of Salman Rushdie, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Eleanor Catton. As he adds to this collection of signed Booker first editions, Francis—a wannabe author himself—is also helpfully writing a self-help manual. Devised with the novice writer in mind, it is full of sage wisdom and useful tidbits to help ease freshly published novelists into the demands and rigors of author events, readings and general life in the public eye.
If you're provided with a hands-free mic, clipped to your lapel, don't forget to turn it off when you visit the toilet, or if you need to vomit before your event. Likewise, it's always good to be wary of the germs of fans—and considering the use of elbow-length dishwashing gloves at book signings, and a large, easy-wipe kitchen apron.
And so too, cultivating a photographic 'look' for the many publicity shots you will be subjected to is also a good idea—Francis's personal choice being that of Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. With advice like this, and Francis' warm and deranged personality, Francis Plug: How to Be a Public Author will prove essential reading for anyone with an interest in the literary world.
The Man Booker Prize becomes a springboard to explore what it means to be an author—and a human being—in the twenty-first century. This novel is certain to be one of the main talking points when the Man Booker Prize is discussed this year, as well as one that will endure long after the controversies have died down. It is an exceptional piece of writing—a novel that readers will love and return to, time and time again.
A hilarious debut novel
“Perhaps, with his literary credentials, together with his wild rock ‘n’ roll ways, Nick Cave is the perfect blueprint for the novelist of the future; quiet, solitary and disciplined, yet loud, crowd-pleasing and mental.â€
How To Be A Public Author by Francis Plug is the first novel by New Zealand-born author, Paul Ewen. Gardener and would-be author, Francis Plug has decided to share knowledge he has gleaned from attendance at author events of Booker Prize-winning writers, collating “a rich mine of information pertaining to the public skills of our most noted authors. Stage etiquette, audience questions, book signings, wardrobe, performanceâ€, declaring it “invaluable knowledge for those of us forced to become public authors too.â€
In thirty-two chapters, each enhanced by an image of the (in most cases, signed and dedicated to Francis Plug) title page, Francis describes his encounters with these writers at various author events in bookshops, libraries, theatres and at book fairs, giving the reader a unique perspective. At the same time, he relates events in his everyday life as it slowly descends into chaos.
Francis gradually reveals himself to be an earnest, if rather sad and lonely figure, often drunk, self-deluded and perhaps even a little psychotic. While Francis is certainly an unreliable narrator, both his observations and his activities at these events are a source of much humour. The reader will cringe, wince, groan and laugh out loud at what Francis says to those he meets, at his comment s and asides and at his (often bizarre) behaviour.
As well as usually consuming a staggering amount of alcohol at these author events, Francis manages to somehow include dirty nails, smelly clothes, Royal horse poo, little bunny rabbits, a wrestling ring, sneaking into fire exits, shouting obscenities, wee-stained trousers, a smuggled microphone, a bucket of eggs, advertising fliers, the rumour of a murdered author, a black bin cover and several fire extinguishers. It becomes apparent that the title of his book could equally be “How To Be A Public Author’s Nightmareâ€. A hilarious debut novel.
Marianne, 29/12/2014
