Off The Record - First Publication from Guilty Conscience Publishing

Welcome to Guilty Conscience Publishing!

Are you well, can I get you anything? OK, sit back, relax, and I'll tell you what this is all about...

My name is Luca Veste and over on Guilty Conscience, I've been reviewing and interviewing books and writers since June 2011. One of the great things about the site, is it has broadened the fiction I've read these last few months. Some excellent books and collections have come my way, which would have been unlikely to have, if I hadn't started the site.

One of these, was a collection of short stories called PULP INK. A fantastic anthology of stories, put together superbly by Chris Rhatigan and Nigel Bird.

Now, whilst reading this, I got to thinking. Having dabbled in writing short stories myself, and also being in contact with some of the great purveyors of the short story online...I started to wonder. How many of these fantastic writers could I get together, and would they all do it for charity. Would these writers respond to a simple Facebook or Twitter message, asking to be involved in a haphazardly (at the beginning anyway) formed anthology of short stories, all based on the prompt of Classic Song Titles.

And would they do it for charity?

As in, no payment, just a warm feeling of self-gratification, of having done a good deed.

On the first day, I sent out messages to 24 writers.

They all said yes.

Over the next few days, I asked a few more...and a few more...

In total 37 writers were all contacted. And they all said yes. (Or in the case of Ray Banks "What kind of egregious **** would I be if I said no. I'm in.")

And what a list of writers we have involved...here's a few to whet the appetite.

Neil White, Ray Banks, Nick Quantrill, Helen Fitzgerald, Les Edgerton, Paul D. Brazill, Simon Logan, Nigel Bird, Thomas Pluck, Matthew C. Funk, Heath Lowrance, Ian Ayris, Col Bury, Julie Morrigan, Sean Patrick Reardon, R. Thomas Brown, Charlie Wade...and so many more!

Now...the purpose of this site.

Guilty Conscience is moving into publishing. As this is for charity, I wanted to make sure no one had the opportunity to take a cut of any profit. Other than the various online sellers taking their inevitable cut, all money made will go directly to the two charities chosen.

So, we have 37 writers. From the US and Britain. Two charities, one this side of the Atlantic, one the other. And they are...

In the UK, National Literacy Trust has been chosen as the recipients of 50% of profits. You can find more information on this wonderful company here ---> http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/

In the US, Children's Literacy Initiative is the chosen one. They will receive the remaining 50%. More information can be found here ---> http://www.cliontheweb.org/

Two charities, which exclusively deal with helping children to read. Something close to many writers hearts, as we want to encourage the next generation of readers, in any way we can!

The title of the anthology is OFF THE RECORD. A title which was supplied in a 30 minute conversation about titles with my Dad, Alan Veste, in which many titles were discarded or derided.

The cover has been provided by the multi-talented Steven Miscandlon. Not only a skilled cover artist, but also a writer to watch in the future.

The release date is tentatively set as 30th November 2011. This is subject to change, but every effort will be made to keep to this date.

The price will be around £2.25 in the UK, and $2.99 in the US.

Available on Ebook only, until someone comes along and offers to print it for free!

More information will be available soon, including a running order of writers involved, and songs chosen.