Tyler Was Becky's first author after deciding to leave her job at a huge agency and join an independent. The partnership came about when Partheon showcased a selection of fresh and relatively unknown Welsh authors and Becky was naturally keen to take a look at their work before anyone else. Incidentally, James Smythe was also a part of this 'Bright Young Things' showcase and went on to be published by Blue Door at Harper Collins. Fun fact for you there.
Hearing the story of how Becky signed Tyler for his debut novel 'Fireball', though, makes me realise the lengths you can find yourself going to in pursuit of an author. Thanks to wonderful and scary place that is the internet, she was able to track him down, and hearing that he would be in London for a reading that weekend, insisted upon buying him coffee at a little place on Brick Lane.
Canadian originally, but living and writing from a picturesque house in the Welsh countryside, Tyler is a perfect gentleman. I know because I met him today. In his and Becky's first meeting he would have been friendly and charming, I'm sure, but apparently, was very careful not to commit or give anything away. He knew he was sitting on a book that deserved to get a great publishing deal, and was waiting for the right agent who could get it for him. Tyler was however happy to bond with his future agent over Willy Vlautim, notable novelist and lead singer of Richmond Fontaine. Coffee went well, but not content with one meeting in one day, Becky stopped by Rough Trade on the way to Tyler's reading and bought him Vlautim's audiobook as a gift - classic courtship move.
Though she was experienced at the time, both in publishing and as an employee of another agency, Becky had just gone out on her own and had no clients to actually 'agent' for. I can't help thinking that if I were an author, particularly a debut author, I think I'd have reservations about my book effectively becoming anyone's 'first job'. Anyway, weather he was wooed by Becky's passionate persistence, or just her personality he definitely took a risk in signing with her, but one which I know he doesn't regret. They've continued to work well together and later on he even dedicates his reading to 'my friend Becky over there...' in honour of the fact that she will soon be taking the same all-American road trip which becomes the backdrop for his anti-hero's Oddessey.
He signs my copy of the new novel 'The Drive' which he is reading from tonight. Before the show starts we sit in the basement of 'Drink Dance Do' drinking beer and talking music and the Pacific Northwest, subjects on which I will readily gush about for a good half hour whenever anything remotely related to the region is mentioned in conversation. I tell him how I grew up spending summers, and even some beautiful winters in Portland, Oregon, and how if I don't end up dying under the shade of an old Doug Fir, or in one of the Hot Lips pizza joints, I'll at least insist my ashes be sprinkled off the Hawthorne Bridge. Tyler agrees that these are all good options.
Tonight was so much fun, and though I've not even finished reading 'The Drive' yet, I've just ordered a copy of 'Fireball' from Amazon. I couldn't believe how generous Tyler was in taking the time to explaining his style and influences. As an English student you quickly learn to ignore the futile pursuit of 'figuring out what the author meant'. This is sometimes because its irrelevant to the effect of the text, but more often its because the author is dead and its very difficult to ask a dead person what they were thinking at the time.
Tyler however is very much not dead. He is sitting in front of me in a glorious flannel shirt and seems happy to answer all of my questions. I want to know more about his depiction of the North American landscape and the scene where his character ends up sucking pot leaves through a slushie straw to avoid the border cops. I mean, how often do you get that opportunity? Though Tyler's writing is modern and accessible there is something lyrical in his style of narration, and having him explain the symbolism and importance of subtle details has me seeing the entire novel in a whole new light. Needless to say the fact that he was so heavily influenced by Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse) made me love him his book even more! Note: Modest Mouse fans might be interested to know that though Tyler has always loved their backcatalogue, he was most inspired by, and began writing around the time of 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank'.
Indulge me for a moment in appreciating this brilliantly surreal, all around TUUUUUNNNE. Tyler, this is for you!
Hearing the story of how Becky signed Tyler for his debut novel 'Fireball', though, makes me realise the lengths you can find yourself going to in pursuit of an author. Thanks to wonderful and scary place that is the internet, she was able to track him down, and hearing that he would be in London for a reading that weekend, insisted upon buying him coffee at a little place on Brick Lane.
Canadian originally, but living and writing from a picturesque house in the Welsh countryside, Tyler is a perfect gentleman. I know because I met him today. In his and Becky's first meeting he would have been friendly and charming, I'm sure, but apparently, was very careful not to commit or give anything away. He knew he was sitting on a book that deserved to get a great publishing deal, and was waiting for the right agent who could get it for him. Tyler was however happy to bond with his future agent over Willy Vlautim, notable novelist and lead singer of Richmond Fontaine. Coffee went well, but not content with one meeting in one day, Becky stopped by Rough Trade on the way to Tyler's reading and bought him Vlautim's audiobook as a gift - classic courtship move.
Though she was experienced at the time, both in publishing and as an employee of another agency, Becky had just gone out on her own and had no clients to actually 'agent' for. I can't help thinking that if I were an author, particularly a debut author, I think I'd have reservations about my book effectively becoming anyone's 'first job'. Anyway, weather he was wooed by Becky's passionate persistence, or just her personality he definitely took a risk in signing with her, but one which I know he doesn't regret. They've continued to work well together and later on he even dedicates his reading to 'my friend Becky over there...' in honour of the fact that she will soon be taking the same all-American road trip which becomes the backdrop for his anti-hero's Oddessey.
He signs my copy of the new novel 'The Drive' which he is reading from tonight. Before the show starts we sit in the basement of 'Drink Dance Do' drinking beer and talking music and the Pacific Northwest, subjects on which I will readily gush about for a good half hour whenever anything remotely related to the region is mentioned in conversation. I tell him how I grew up spending summers, and even some beautiful winters in Portland, Oregon, and how if I don't end up dying under the shade of an old Doug Fir, or in one of the Hot Lips pizza joints, I'll at least insist my ashes be sprinkled off the Hawthorne Bridge. Tyler agrees that these are all good options.
Tonight was so much fun, and though I've not even finished reading 'The Drive' yet, I've just ordered a copy of 'Fireball' from Amazon. I couldn't believe how generous Tyler was in taking the time to explaining his style and influences. As an English student you quickly learn to ignore the futile pursuit of 'figuring out what the author meant'. This is sometimes because its irrelevant to the effect of the text, but more often its because the author is dead and its very difficult to ask a dead person what they were thinking at the time.
Tyler however is very much not dead. He is sitting in front of me in a glorious flannel shirt and seems happy to answer all of my questions. I want to know more about his depiction of the North American landscape and the scene where his character ends up sucking pot leaves through a slushie straw to avoid the border cops. I mean, how often do you get that opportunity? Though Tyler's writing is modern and accessible there is something lyrical in his style of narration, and having him explain the symbolism and importance of subtle details has me seeing the entire novel in a whole new light. Needless to say the fact that he was so heavily influenced by Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse) made me love him his book even more! Note: Modest Mouse fans might be interested to know that though Tyler has always loved their backcatalogue, he was most inspired by, and began writing around the time of 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank'.
Indulge me for a moment in appreciating this brilliantly surreal, all around TUUUUUNNNE. Tyler, this is for you!
I'll admit having only had two nights off from working or attending literary events has knackered me out....or it could be the crashing on multiple floors. Not that I'm complaining! I'm aware that it sounds like a ridiculously happy predicament, but one which has me declining Becky's invitation to go with her and Tyler to the Willy Vlautim show after the reading tonight. It seems like such an incredible coincidence for him to be playing East London the day that Tyler is in town, but it sounds to me like the perfect opportunity for a good old author-agent bonding session. I'm at the point however, where nothing will tear me away from a slice of toast and an early night. I'm sure I'll hear all about it tomorrow.