A legend looks back

HOT’s Chris Connelley looks forward to next week’s book launch by local publishing legend Tony Collins.

Tony Collins has worked in publishing for over 40 years, during the course of which he has established a stellar reputation among writers as the go-to professional when you need to get your book in front of readers.

His compelling cocktail of commitment, attention to detail and commercial acumen, complemented by his understated charm and nuanced people skills, have helped turn over 1,400 manuscripts into books for sale, breaking new talent and helping maintain established names at the top of their game.

He doesn’t just support others, though, and is an  author in his own right. His new book, They’ll Never Read That: How to Make Mistakes in Publishing, reflects on his own career as he looks back with fondness on the much-changed world of books and publishing. Unsurprisingly, he has many great stories to share, and as a master storyteller, he has created a fascinating memoir that will have us all turning the pages and asking for more.

In his own words, “I decided to write it partly to get my apologies in first, and partly to tell stories of some of the fascinating people and more noteworthy ideas I have met in the course of a  working lifetime in the books business. The errors are real, but so is the fun.”

Much to our good fortune, Tony lives locally, and in an exciting partnership with The Hastings Bookshop, on Trinity Street, he will be launching his new title at a book signing session on Wednesday 23 February running from 5.30pm.

There’s no need to pre-book. Just turn up on the night at The Hastings Bookshop, at 5 Trinity Street, telephone 01424 905410.

Also in: Literature