Comedy writer's publishing first

Comedian and writer Andy Hamilton is to create publishing history by releasing a book entirely in longhand.

He says his new novel – also called Longhand – is something of a love letter to the disappearing art of handwriting. And it is also an actual love letter, a 300-page note from the hero of his story, Malcolm, to the woman he is forced to leave behind.

Hamilton – who co-wrote Outnumbered and Drop The Dead Donkey as well as being a regular on the likes of Have I Got News For You – has long been averse to technology. He doesn’t use a mobile phone, ‘isn’t keen on the internet’ and jokes that he has ‘the writing process of a 9th Century monk’. 

He said: ‘Everything I’ve ever written has started out in longhand. I write in longhand and then it gets typed up. 

‘But this, this will never be typed up because this will be published in longhand, in actual handwriting, which we think is unique. So it’s a publishing first.

‘If you’re the kind of person who likes italics, this is the book for you.’

Hamilton said he has been toying with the idea of publishing a book this way for about 30 years, but the time now feels right as it’s  ‘a moment when we’re waving goodbye to handwriting and the intimacy of personal letters’.

He also says this is first time he has found publisher willing to release a book this way: the crowdfunding company Unbound.

Hamilton says his story ‘combines tragedy, comedy, mystery, a touch of leprosy, several murders, a massacre, a ritual sacrifice, an insane tyrant, two great romances, a landslide, a fire, and a talking fish’.

He has so far raised just over half the money he needs, thanks to more than 200 supporters. 

You can pre-order a copy or sign up fro other rewards here. Use the code CHORTLE10 for 10 per cent off anything up to £100.

Published: 27 Nov 2019