Sunday, May 29, 2016

25. Recommended by author Daniela Norris! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

Author Daniela Norris had this to say about The Witch's List :

"We all pretend to be rational, logical, empirical thinking citizens of a modern world but bubbling beneath the surface lie our primeval fears, our pagan practices, our superstitions."

Sandy and Martin, two thirteen year old boys, discover a book in their Roman Catholic school's library. 'Witches and Warlocks' detailed graphically a range of witchcraft and dark art practices, and it was the beginning of the narrator's - Sandy - fascination with witchcraft.

In a fast-paced, highly entertaining so-called fantasy novel (first of a trilogy) lie some hidden truths about the dark side of magic and mysticism. Yet it reads like a part-adventure, part travel-tale, recommended for anyone who has an interest in how life is affected by coincidences which run way deeper than anything we could ever plan.

The backdrop of the story - first Scotland, then France, and last but not least - Cote D'ivoire - where most of the story unfolds, is fascinating. Having lived in Africa for some years, I recognised the underlying mystery of dark magic that is an integral part of African culture. 

I look forward to reading the sequel!

26. Be like Anatole France and prefer the folly of passion to the wisdom of indifference! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

"I have always preferred the folly of passion to the wisdom of indifference."

Anatole France, The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnar

Thursday, May 26, 2016

28. It's a little bit crazy! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

To paraphrase that great quote from Trainspotting, ...if you take a chance, you might just get to know the real me: witty, adventurous, passionate, loving, loyal - A little bit crazy, a little bit bad!

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Enter goodreads giveaway competition to win a free signed copy of "The Witch's List"

Competition now open on goodreads! Enter anytime from 1st to 15th June for a chance to win!



Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Witch's List by Andrew Cairns

The Witch's List

by Andrew Cairns

Giveaway ends June 15, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway

29. Dundee United just got relegated; help console us by making this book hit the top of the league! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

My local football team, Dundee United, just got relegated. A 2-1, defeat to local rivals, Dundee FC, from across the street was the final nail in the coffin. Well done Dundee and good luck to both teams next  season. Ray McKinnon, who I was at school with takes over as United's new manager: good luck mate, you'll have your work cut out!
Anyway, United and Dundee fans and anyone else are all welcome to support The Witch's List: come along to Waterstones Dundee on Saturday 16th July 12-2 pm, to buy a signed copy of the book. Let's make this book a winner in Dundee and then take on the big leagues!

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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

30. Recommended by author Jean-Christophe Manuceau! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

French author Jean-Christophe Manuceau had this to say about The Witch's List:

"The Witch's List by  Andrew Cairns is a real page turner.  As soon as you start to follow the main character, a young bloke by the name of Sandy Beech, you want to know more about him and follow his path. It leads him from his Scottish home to a French university, and finally to  Africa. For a guy who favours exotic women, and who does not believe in witchcraft, it’s a dangerous way to go. Despite the warnings given by a dying nun, Sandy marries a beautiful black girl, Rocky, and, after a few years of faltering happiness, follows her to her home country, the Ivory Coast, in the hope of winning her back. There, he will witness strange events and be the victim of a series of physical assaults that will leave him deeply wounded, physically and mentally. What’s really happened to him ? Does this black magic really exist? In this coming of age novel, written with wit and great emotional precision,  Andrew Cairns creates a strange mixture of mystery, humour, horror and passion. Through the eyes of a young European,  The Witch's List also depicts the discovery of a strange continent, and it’s different set of rules and values. A must-read, captivating and bewitching."

Jean-Christophe Manuceau, author of  Cocteau Twins: Des Punks Célestes and L'homme Sans Parapluie

Sunday, May 22, 2016

32. Make your sorrows disappear and let your courage be reborn! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn. ANNE FRANK

I hope this book will move and inspire you! 


33. It's short! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

"Why the brevity? Because I'd rather people read my book twice than half-way through." Mohsin Hamid, author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Mohsin's excellent novel is 209 pages long. Mine is 214. Great minds think alike!
I hope you'll read my carefully crafted story and love it so much you'll read it again, and recommend it to your friends!



Thursday, May 19, 2016

35. Recommended by author Gregor Ewing! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

Gregor Ewing, author of the excellent historical travel quest books Charlie, Meg and Me and Bruce, Meg and Me, had this to say about The Witch's List:

"A highly entertaining account of a boy’s journey - both physical and emotional - from youth to manhood. From schooldays, to university and into the workplace we follow our young protagonist, ‘Sandy’ as he strives to build a life for himself. Leaving his home in Dundee he gravitates south, to France and then West Africa, and the jarring cultural changes, which Sandy encounters, are brought to life authentically. The characters met along the way are fully developed and I formed an attachment to the young Scot that kept me gripped throughout, as the story builds towards a jaw-dropping conclusion.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

36. Discover Scotland, France and the Ivory Coast! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

Embark on a voyage of discovery to Dundee, Glasgow, Paris and the Ivory Coast. See these places through the eyes of protagonist Sandy Beech as he moves from adolescence into adulthood and is ensnared into the obscure world of African witchcraft. 


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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Monday, May 16, 2016

Waterstones event - 26th July 12-2 p.m. #thewitchslist

Save the date! Saturday, 26th July, 2016, 12-2 p.m.
My book-signing event is now confirmed for this slot in Waterstones Dundee (35 Commercial Street, Dundee DD1 3DG).
Hope to see you there and please spread the word to your friends and family!


39. "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

The time has come for the powerful ideas in this book to be released to the masses! Help spread the word - we've got the power! 

Saturday, May 14, 2016

40. Recommended by author Isabelle Richaud! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

"The Witch’s List is a book full of colours and darkness. It transports you into the turbulent world of Sandy Beech, a young man experiencing adulthood with spirit and curiosity. His attraction for exotic women will trap him into unsuspected adventures in Africa. Andrew Cairns has brought off a lively, captivating novel and a unique cultural experience for the reader." 

Endorsement from Isabelle Richaud, author of Men in the mirror / L'humanité face au miroir

Dear mayor...

Will try to corner the local mayor tomorrow and ask him to put an article about my book in his local magazine...


Friday, May 13, 2016

41. It's a great book for reading on your travels! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

This novel was inspired by my travels, especially in the Ivory Coast. It will take you on an adventure where you'll discover other lands, cultures and beliefs. 
My uncle Tom recommended it be sold in airport bookshops. 
Buy it and hit the road! 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

42. Help make my dream a reality! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

"Make Your Life A Dream, and Your Dream the Reality" РAntoine de Saint-Exup̩ry.
Help me make this book take off! Help it reach the stars!



Wednesday, May 11, 2016

43. Inspired by Man Booker prizewinner Kiran Desai! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

I met Kiran Desai a few years ago on a park bench in Paris. She humbly described her stunning Man Booker prize-winning novel, The Inheritance Of Loss, as a sad story about different people's lives. I  mentioned that I too dabbled in the dark arts of writing, having had a go at anecdotes, short stories and a couple of novellas. She encouraged me to stick in and keep writing. I have now managed to write a novel of my own, and while it may not win The Man Booker prize, I hope you will support me in my writing by reading it and spreading the word. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

44. Recommended by the amazing author Tahir Shah #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

One of my favourite authors, Tahir Shah, had this to say about The Witch's List:

"Andrew Cairns has written, quite literally, a bewitching novel, one that speaks to an underbelly which lies dormant in us all. The Witch's List bridges our world of convention, with that of a fabulous Twlilight Zone, what may be true reality -- a realm of magic and ultimate possibility. I recommend this book because, behind the smokescreen of simplicity, there lies a masked bedrock of extraordinary power."

Tahir is an inspiring writer, adventurer and filmmaker. His books include The Caliph's House, Sorcerer's Apprentice, In Search Of King Solomon's Mines and Timbuctoo.

Monday, May 9, 2016

45. A new angle on the horror story! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

This novel brings something fresh to the horror  / supernatural genre. It adds coming-of-age, travel-adventure and culture clash into the brew... Take a sip and see for yourself: read the first few pages on amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1785353489
  

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Friday, May 6, 2016

48. Help me join the list of famous Scottish writers! #thewitchslist #50days #50reasons

Scotland has a long list of writers, renowned for their imaginative and gripping stories: Robert Louis Stevenson, Walter Scott, J. M. Barrie, Arthur Conan Doyle, R. M. Ballantyne,  Muriel Spark, Ian Rankin, Irvine Welsh, Iain  Banks, Peter May... With your help, maybe one day I can join them!

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

50 days, 50 reasons!

In 50 days time from tomorrow, The Witch's List will be officially released! I'm planning to do a countdown with 50 reasons to read the book - one per day from tomorrow until the release on 24th June 2016. Please help me drum up as much hype as possible by liking, sharing, and of course buying a copy of the novel!
Thanks a lot,
Andrew
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Monday, May 2, 2016

May day book sales!

Thanks to Sahar, Bilel, Abdel-Rahman, and   Aymeric for buying copies of my book today! 

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Happy Independent Bookstore Day!

Happy Independent Bookstore Day - to American readers!
http://www.indiebookstoreday.com/
You may be interested in picking up "The Witch's List" at you local independent bookstore. You can find the closest one to your house on this site: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781785353482
UK site: http://indiebound.co.uk/