That's Jeff Soloway, whose literary thriller, Shakespeare's Novel, just made the cut into the top 100 books for Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award. Congrats, Jeff!
Jeff and I've been together in a local critique group for a few years, and I would love to see him do well and get this cracking manuscript placed. Shakespeare's Novel has already risen above thousands of initial entrants and hundreds of other semi-finalists. If his excerpt, among a remaining fifty in the adult group, is chosen by editors as one of the top three, he'll be flown out to Seattle and feted, and most importantly, Amazon visitors will be able to vote on whether he wins one of two Penguin publishing contracts!
From the Publisher's Weekly semi-finalist review:
Imagine the reaction of the academic community if an undiscovered work by Shakespeare were rumored, and, furthermore, if it were a novel. Would scholars kill to be the first to get their hands on it? That's the premise of this brisk and promising manuscript. Opening in a library where Steven [sic] Simmons, a travel writer hired by a disgraced academic to find a clue to the work's whereabouts, is confronted by a Harvard professor with a gun out to claim the same prize. From here the story moves back and forth, establishing a cast of characters rarely seen in the mystery/thriller genre, from feuding scholars, to book editors to would-be actors and directors. The most unexpected member of the troupe, however, is Steven's 11-month-old son, Manny, forced by circumstances to accompany his father on a flight through Manhattan, keeping barely ahead of murderous thugs with a peculiar interest in certain things Shakespearean.
Though it's not at the final voting stages yet, more attention and honest reviews can only help. If you enjoy thrillers and the bibliophilic, or even just interesting writing, you'll have a good time with this one.
The only caveat is you need to have a Kindle, or to use the Kindle app on another device (Amazon's terms). Download the free excerpt and provide your feedback here. Thanks!
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4 comments:
That's a pretty big accomplishment already. Congrats to Jeff.
Congrats to Jeff on this accomplishment so far. The premise of his novel is fascinating.
Best wishes ~ I hope his novel is chosen by the editors. How exciting!
I agree, Charles, and now (with Travis) I know two such rising stars!
Kathy- I think it's a good one, and my fingers are crossed.
Thanks everyone! I have to say that my manuscript has benefited greatly from Clare's careful reading and good advice.
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