Regular readers will be aware of the imminent publication of Governing Britain. It is 
being published formally on 17 September. Some booksellers, however, already have copies and have been fulfilling orders. Several people have tweeted to say that their copies have arrived. Indeed, some received copies of the book before I did.
What has been especially gratifying has been how well it has already sold. It moved up the bestseller list on Amazon to No. 1 under ‘Government and State Constitutions’ and no. 7 in ‘UK Politics’. It then fell back, but earlier this week was again at No. 1.
I don’t think I have had a book that has achieved this measure of success so quickly. In many respects, it is counter intuitive. The publishers, Manchester University Press, have done a superb job in terms of production – a fine hardback for under £17 – and obviously I like to think that the content is worthy. However, under normal conditions, I would be speaking at conferences and attending a range of meetings at which I would be distributing flyers for the book. I would be sending out invitations to launch parties in Westminster and Hull. I was also scheduled to speak on the book at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. In the event, none of these activities was possible. The only way I have been able to promote the book has been through Twitter. This certainly seems to have had an impact.
It has been especially gratifying as to how many people have not only tweeted that they have the book, but also have said how much they are looking forward to reading it. My only worry now is if this is followed by silence…
For anyone who has not got a copy, it is available at £16.99 ($25.50 in the USA) – I see Amazon are offering it for £11.99 – and in a kindle edition at £13.59.
Talking of kindle, The Impact of Legislatures – which costs over £100 for a print copy – is now available in a kindle edition for only £32.39.
The Norton View 