Coming soon … The Budapest House: Leaving Home, Leaving Your Past

Authors from different countries and writing backgrounds are taking part in an internet project called The Next Big Thing. We’re answering the same 10 questions about a work in progress.

My friend from the Geneva Writers Group, Katie Hayoz, asked me to take part. See her blog http://www.katiehayoz.blogspot.ch featuring Untethered, her YA novel about astral projection.

Here’s what I’m up to:

1) The title?
The Budapest House: Leaving Home, Leaving Your Past

2) Where did the idea come from?
I met the main character of this book through her husband, and her story fascinated and moved me.

3) Genre?
Historical memoir

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a film?
Meryl Streep

5) In one sentence: what is the book about?
A Hungarian Jew traumatised by Auschwitz struggles to find her identity on returning to Budapest, where she finds the property she inherited is inhabited by a sinister individual.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My agent is Lorella Belli.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?
Nine months – but I am not on the first draft!

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The Hare With Amber Eyes (Edmund de Waal)
Burying the Typewriter (Carmen Bugan)

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I share the main character’s concern over confused identity – it nags at me.

10) What else might pique a reader’s interest?
It’s a poignant story of a person who works through a difficult past and finally leaves her “bad home” to realise herself.

For other authors preparing their Next Big Thing see:

http://www.susantiberghien.com/ – Celebrating Love: Memories from a Long Marriage

http://www.danielanorris.com – On Dragonfly Wings: a Journey to Mediumship

Working hard for A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Attending a weekly lecture on European statesmen, I tell some of the audience I’ve just published a new book A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS: A GERMAN PAST FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE. As it happens, I have a few copies in my briefcase.

One woman wants to buy it, “but I just don’t have money with me.” Surprising how many people go out only with change for the bus. When she hears it’s just £7.99, it turns out she can pay, and does! Thank you.

Another woman buys one, and pays on the dot. Her friend says she wants one too, “but I don’t have the money with me.”

“You can share mine when I’ve finished,” says her friend.

“No need!” I cry, sensing the trap. “Here, take one now, I’ll sign it. Give me the money next week.”

Finally, a man sidles up and asks me to sign another copy. Before I can ask, he says: “Second-hand, I’m afraid. Got it from Oxfam.”

I think: it’s only just come out, so that was a quick read, or even worse, perhaps not a read at all. Perish the thought. I sign up cheerfully, glad that Oxfam can make a turn from my writings to care for the downtrodden masses.

Next week, back into the fray with another briefcase of books. It’ll be Helmut Kohl. I’m loving this.

SPECIAL OFFER – A Foot In Both Camps – ebook at only 99p, $1.99, €1.99

A Foot In Both Camps: A German Past For Better And For Worse, by Marcus Ferrar, is available as an ebook for only               99p, $1.99 and €1.99 in a year-end special offer. Valid until 15 January 2013.

Since launch this summer, the book has enjoyed excellent reviews and feedback. This is what readers have said:

… not just good but brilliant
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Also available in paperback. Publisher LBLA digital. ISBN: 978-10908879-08-0