The Telegraph has begun publishing a new serial novel from the prolific Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. In an exciting new project, and a first for UK publishing, the creation of the book has the author engaging with the readers during its development.

Through the Telegraph’s website and simultaneous podcasts, McCall Smith’s new novel, Corduroy Mansions, is being developed into one hundred episodes with a daily podcast being narrated by Andrew Sachs. Readers of the serial can get involved by leaving comments and suggestions for McCall Smith on the website each day.

The serial, which began on Monday 15th September, is set in London and depicts the lives of various characters in a large Pimlico house. Corduroy Mansions will appear in hardback in July 2009, and paperback the following year.

Edward Roussel, The Telegraph’s Digital Editor said: “This is a great opportunity for Telegraph.co.uk readers to actively engage in the creation of a novel by a leading author. The project is part of a series of initiatives that are putting Telegraph.co.uk at the cutting edge of digital media.”

While this isn’t McCall Smith’s first serialised novel to hit the broadsheets, when asked to relate the idea to that of the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street, he said: “Over the last five years I have come to realise how enjoyable it is to write a daily serial novel for a newspaper. I am particularly pleased to be starting a new one for the Telegraph website. Corduroy Mansions will be written as it is published, giving readers the opportunity to influence what happens in the story. I can’t wait to begin.”

Related Links

www.telegraph.co.uk/alexandermccallsmith

www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk

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Colin Galbraith writes articles and reviews on a wide variety of subjects. For more information please visit: http://freelance.colingalbraith.co.uk