celebration

Sometimes it does you no harm at all to stop work, step back from the coalface and take a look at what you’ve achieved.

This week Ignite Books is four years old. We started out with the vague idea that if other publishers weren’t interested in taking on powerful, thoughtful, provocative and well-written work because it wasn’t in genre, then maybe we should do it ourselves. Why not? And that simple idea opened the door to four years packed with more graft than we’d ever imagined, with learning curve after learning curve, with the joy of creating a publishing house which worked with authors to create something they were as excited by as we were.  Four years on, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been a lot of fun, too.

So, to those of you who’ve supported us along the way, to the people who’ve so generously shared their expertise, to everyone who’s bought one or more of our books and recommended us to their friends, our most heartfelt thanks. Really. Thank you. Because we couldn’t have done it without you. The feedback you send us – by email, or on facebook, or on twitter, or wherever – means a very great deal, and convinces us we were right to take that leap of faith four years ago. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

At the start of October, our latest book City Baby is officially published. We’ve been selling it via the website for weeks already, and the response from people who’ve read it has been fantastic. The magazine reviews are on their way, and they’re just as positive. This book very definitely maintains the high standards we’ve set ourselves, and we’re chuffed to bits by it.

But this blog isn’t about City Baby – if you’ve somehow missed the song and dance we’ve been making about it, check the website! Yes, we will be taking a little break from work to mark its launch and pat ourselves on the back, but today we just want to say thank you and let you share in our celebrations.

From 23rd-30th September, we’ll be having a sale on print copies of all our back catalogue. If you’ve been meaning to buy a copy of Joolz’ The Curious Mystery… or Wild Thing for yourself or a friend, or you want to find out why Q Magazine gave Dave Barbarossa’s Mud Sharks a 4* review, if you fancy reading Steve Pottinger’s poetry, or you just want to stock up on Xmas presents, now’s the time. If you live in austerity Britain, postage is the same for two copies as it is for one, meaning your money goes even further (we can’t do anything about postage costs abroad, sorry, but we will include a car sticker with every order).

Virtual cake and fizzy pop all round, too. So stick the dates in your diaries, people, and tell your friends.

And sláinte. And thank you all.