Has anyone read No. 1 Chesterfield Square Nick Jones? I recently bought it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so engrossed in this brilliant saga that I didn't want to put it down and finished it within days. As a debut novel I think its remarkable and wondered if anyone knows of other debut novels that are as good - I like to support new authors whenver I can. Thank you.

Hi Melody. If you're into scifi and fantasy there is a new author called Lloyd Blake who has written a book called 'the fight for naturah: the reclamation.' I bought it the other day and enjoyed it immensely. Loved the story that pits two civilisations against each other both fighting for what they believe is right. I loved the characterization and the turmoil that all the characters go through. If you dont neccessarily like scifi/fantasy I still believe its a book you would enjoy because the book delves into characterisation more than most I have read. A story with a conscious message about a worlds dwindling resources that will resonate with many.

I've been thrilled by the number of people who have bought my debut novel, and given it great reviews in the press, on my blog, and, of course, here on amazon. It's vital that new authors are supported by the public. They have their part to play, as do the blockbusters promoted by big publishers with huge marketing budgets.
If you'd like to let me know what you think of Cut Short, the first in my new series of crime thrillers, please email me directly on leighrussell@live.co.uk or you can find a link to my blog on my publisher's website www.noexit.co.uk

I agree with your support for debut novelists and this is why I recommend "The Golden Pig" by the Penny Brothers - it's a thoroughly enjoyable comedy detective debut with a fast paced plot and some great characters. I hope they write a sequel.

Hi Melody. I would be fascinated to know what you make of Timescope, my debut novel.

Check out the reviews on Amazon. Give it a try then I'd love to know your verdict.

Regards
Joe Harding

I've actually published three novels now, but if you would like to check out my debut novel 'Summerset', it is actually on here and has great reviews.

Thanks

Karen Mason

"The frog and the scorpion" by Steevan Glover - I have mentioned this to a few people and they have really enjoyed it. If you like crime thrillers then it really is a winner.

Try 'The Patent of Mann' by George Dixon, an excellent first novel with a very good ending. Plot is told well with excellent stand out characters.

Hi Melody
You definitely want to read Lisella Donavon's debut novel 'the red button'......trust me...i couldn't put it down....the implications that its a true story are far reaching.......i feel like starting a campaign to help sarah hammond!

Hi there

Decision Most Deadly is my debut novel - there's plenty of reviews on the website as well as a sample chapter, so you can have a read first if you'd prefer, so feel free to have a look.

http://www.decisionmostdeadly.com

It is set in 1641 during the political crisis that led to the English Civil War and follows Sir Charles's life at the forefront of these critical events. (So is faction)

"MINOR noble Sir Charles Berkeley finds himself thrust into the centre of major events in 1641 as the country teeters on the edge of civil war and the main question facing men is King or Parliament?
Berkeley has a military reputation, earned in the recent humiliating war with the Scots, but the hurly-burly of political life in London soon proves more baffling, treacherous and dangerous than any encounter on the battlefield.
Mark Turnbull has his finger on the political, military and social pulse at one of the pivotal moments in British history and he effortlessly transports you back to those momentous days."
THE NORTHERN ECHO

Mark

A couple of years ago I read 'Never Admit to Beige' by Jonathan Draper - a fantastic laugh out loud debut novel. A real must although slightly bizarre story line.
I am also keen to find similarly fantastic reads so look on at the recommendations rolling in with interest.
Theresa

Thank you for your support of new writers. I haven't yet read 1 Chesterfield Square, but my novel, Half-truths and White Lies, was the winner of the Daily Mail First Novel Award 2008. Joanne Harris was on the judging panel and described it as 'a story of secrets, lies, grief and ultimately redmeption, charmingly handled by this very promising new writer'. For full product description and more reviews, please look at the the entry on Amazon or go to www.jane-davis.co.uk. I hope you enjoy it!

Try The Hungry Ghosts by Anne Berry, in the same tradition as Lovely Bones and Poisonwood Bible, it is not disturbing in the same way as Lovely Bones but does start with a Chinese girl being murdered in the 40's. Her ghost is not ready to meet her ancestors and waits decades for a suitable 'host'. It is set in Hong Kong during the run up to the handover to China. Also look out for Of Bees and Mists (published September), by Erick Setiawan. It is quite amazing, a fairy tale where the 'wicked witch' is the mother-in-law from hell. Set in a world that is recognisable yet alien it puts a new slant on the 'boy meets girl' plot. The narrative owes much to thestyle of the 'oral tradition'.
The Street Philosopher by Matthew Plampin is another impressive debut. Set during the Crimean War, Street Philosopher was the term used for a gossip columnist. Although centred on war this is not just a book for the blokes.

I recently read and reviewed an excelled novel that transpired to be a debut; Before the Gods by KS Turner, released a few weeks ago. A thoroughly engrossing and very unusual story (I'd put it in speculative fiction), grippingly told, and with amazing characters. Set at a time when people were first here and the 'gods' walked amongst them. The plots develop so intensely that I really couldn't put it down. Superb.

Thank you everyone, am researching them all now! Melody.

Hi, my debut novel, Luxury, has just been published in hardback by Headline Review - it'll be out in paperback in October. Betrayal, rivalry, revenge, a luxury private island hotel.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0755348508/sr=8-1/qid=1248253330/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1248253330&sr=8-1&seller=

Hi, my first novel Idristan is published by Verge and can be found here on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Idristan-Nick-Weldon/dp/0956112900
It's dark, sexy, poetic and very funny (so the publisher tells me!) I'd love to read your reviews...
nick weldon

Melody
I'm glad that us Debut Authors have your support. It very hard for us to compete with the 'Stephen Kings' of the book world as i'm sure you can imagine, and I find it reassuring that people are still willing to take a risk on the newbies. My novel 'Bringing Forth the End of Days' is now available on here and i would love to know what everyone thinks of it. Why not give it a read and let me know, your comments can be posted on my website at www.BringingForthTheEndOfDays.webs.com
Many thanks

Simon Law

I find it very encouraging to see so many new authors promoting their books here. In response to Simon Law's comment, I don't think we should think of ourselves as 'competing' with blockbusters. We're all rowing in the same direction - generating support for BOOKS. If Stephen King engages people and interests them in reading, that's great. Some of those readers might even then go on to read your book, Simon.

Authors might be rowing in the same direction but the odds are definitely stacked against debut authors. It can be difficult to persuade someone to try something new, I work as a book seller and try to read and recommend as many debut's as I can. Too often the authors's that need the least publicity get the most. This kind of discussion makes readers aware that there are many potential gems out there. My favourite novel of last year was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle another debut. Another stunning debut published this year is An Equal Stillness by Francesca Kay a well deserved winner of the Orange New Writers Prize, due out in paperback soon.

Thank you so much for supporting debut authors. I am one too and these discussions have helped us enormously - both in promoting our own works through direct and indirect sales and by the reviews that have been logged on Amazon. If you're not too overladen with new books (can one ever be?!) then please give my novel a go - 'THE CROSSING'. Its a fast paced action/adventure set in the present and WW2 adding a historical slant. If you want more info then please checkout my website: www.faithmortimerauthor.com or look me up on Authorsden and Goodreads - both good places in which to find new authors and books.
Good reading!
regards
Faith

Hi Melody,
I wrote my first book five years ago and since then I have added two more to the list. Getting them read is another problem. You have to work at it almost full time, but unless you spend a lot of money on marketing, I fear the new writer has little chance against the "big boys".
Try my book "The last Bature" Its a policeman's tale and adventure story based on my own time in Africa during the 60s. If you prefer short stories try "Tribal Gathering", again these are "faction" set in Africa. Just type Ryeland into the serch box on Amazon and you will see them. Travelman

Just to prove this discussion is working I have just ordered The Crossing and Cut Short, not sure when I will fit them in but I promise I will read them.

Yes it is certainly difficult to get noticed. It's a very slow burn thing I think. A lot of my readers have come from one person buying a book, lending it to someone else, then they decide they want to buy all my books. I've done some research into it, and have questioned around 50 people and only about 3 of them said they'd discovered their favourite author via a bookshop. Most of them it had been through personal recommendation or else they picked it up in a second hand shop or found it somewhere.

This book was the author's first novel, published when she was only 14: Green Bronze Mirror By Lynne Ellison

Karen is playing on the beach when she finds an ancient mirror buried in the sand. She looks into it, and is transported back in time to the Roman empire. Finding herself a slave, she faces many hair-raising adventures in her struggle to return to her own time.

This Long-lost work of young adult fiction, first published by Blackie in 1966 and since out of print, is being reprinted in a new edition with BRAND-NEW illustrations by Philip Smiley. It will be available from Ebay, Amazon, Abebooks and Allibris (estimated date autumn 2009), and is already available to pre-order from

http://www.cnposnerbooks.co.uk