One for the Trouble

One For The Trouble is the first in a series of newly-commissioned writing from Book Slam authors. Writers include leading names such as William Boyd, Irvine Welsh, Patrick Ness, Hari Kunzru and Jon Ronson, to rising stars like Helen Oyeyemi, Joe Dunthorne and Tim Key, plus exciting newcomers like Sophie Woolley, Kate Tempest and Luke Wright. Book Slam has a long-established reputation as London's best book event, bringing together storytellers in every form, including novelists, journalists, poets, comedians and songwriters. The decision to extend the brand into publishing is a natural one and reflects the changing nature of publishing and bookselling. For the last eight years, Book Slam has worked to promote literature in a way that bookshops cannot do, and break down the imagined boundaries between 'literary' and 'popular' culture. The nature of publishing and bookselling has evolved, and with numerous new platforms, outlets and production tools, access to both the publication and consumption of the written word has widened like never before. One For The Trouble grants Book Slam the opportunity to showcase a diversity of the best contemporary literature in a way that ensures writers are given fair reward for their work and that is both financially and technologically accessible to all. Writers were asked to take inspiration from a favourite song to create new pieces exclusive to Book Slam. Simon Armitage's poem, for example, reflects hauntingly on the suicide of Joy Division's Ian Curtis, while award-winning YA author, Patrick Ness, stretches his skills with a darkly comic take on Let Me Entertain You. One For The Trouble will be published as a beautifully realized, limited edition hardback, signed by all the short story writers - highly prized and collectible. It will also be simultaneously released as an eBook, multi-platform App and audio download, allowing stories and poems to be purchased individually or as part of the whole. This is a genuinely innovative take on the new possibilities of publishing, distribution and reward - one of a kind and the first in an annual series!