I'm delighted to say that author Helen McCabe's PIPER is luring readers in droves. Its eerily beautiful cover suggests delights that are hauntingly dangerous - and of course the folk reference of the most famous piper of all times resonates powerfully in all our memories with its palpating images, its time-hallowed questions of good and evil, its unanswered ending which Robert Browning tried in his brilliant poem to make a little easier to bear.
I still remember what became of the children. Did they really turn up in the Carpathians and create a new community? And what of the Piper? Who was he? Was he force for good or evil?
But I wander. Back to Helen's book. It was a cold, October night, far colder than any October night in London should be. Up in the stylish gallery of Foyles bookstore, was Helen's launch, wine, juice, water (very civilised) and lots of fancy, tasting little snacks. Helen read two extracts from her book. The guests were enthralled.
The next day I learned that Piper had sold 165 copies. Helen and her fabulous agent Helen Latus set off on tour the next day and the book continued to fly off the shelves with unexpected numbers turning up at the signings in the North and South of the country.
Bookshops are falling over themselves now to get Helen McCabe into their stores. She's booked right through to mid-November.
In additon the giant chain WH Smith Travel have put their weight behind the book as has the massive supermarket chain ASDA. Exciting news.
And now, we have a signed copy to give to the winner of our PIPER DRAW.
It is the month of Halloween and as of today, Helen McCabe's exclusive interview with NarrativesOnline is up in the interviews section.
In order to qualify for the prize, all you have to do is post comments, kick off a discussion about the story of the Piper, your personal thoughts about the folktale or any aspect of Helen's writing that you may find on her website: HelenMcCabe.com. Your name will be automatically entered in the draw and announced on this website on November 1.
I'm working on getting permission to post an extract on this site...and maybe even a Q&A when Helen mcCabe's tour is complete and she has had time to draw breath.
