In collaboration: Liminal Ink and Iain Maloney
Liminal Ink began as an idea: to play with the boundaries between publisher and author, working together in a more collaborative way. Our first title was a community effort – we crowdfunded the book and released it online. The experience was playful, fun and a lot of hard work. We had no expectations for what our next title would be, but we knew it would need to wow us. It did!
We’re excited to announce that Liminal Ink’s next title will be the novella Life Is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags by Scottish author Iain Maloney.
About the author
Iain is from Aberdeen and lives in Japan. In 2016, he and his wife moved from the city to a small rural community. In his most recent book, the thoughtful and funny memoir The Only Gaijin in the Village, Iain recounts his efforts to settle into the rhythm of his new life.
About the novella
Life Is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags is also set in Japan, but that’s where the similarity with his previous book ends. It’s Christmas Day, 2020 and at the start of the novella, Cormac is headed for the hills. In the midst of the pandemic, the bar he runs is closed and his marriage to Eri is falling apart. A phone call from his doctor could change everything.
Meantime, Eri has locked herself in the spare room, with too much alcohol and a box of old video tapes. As a teenager in late 1980s Tokyo, she documented the rise of a legendary female punk band. In the wake of its demise, she shrugged off her identity and ran. Thanks to an unexpected email she’s about to unearth long-buried memories and confront her past.
"A beautiful, brutal meditation on love and death and the death of love … compelling, tense, gorgeously-drawn and perfectly-paced. This seemingly slight novella travels worlds and light years in a few thousand words. Eri and Cormac, and all the things they say and leave unsaid, will stay with you for a long time.”
Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen
About the collaboration
As the founders of Liminal Ink, Paul and Angela wanted to foster a sense of inclusion; a feeling of everyone being in it together. As a musician, Paul watched with fascination as the industry moved away from big labels and embraced the indie culture: the sense of ownership and excitement that garnered. The creative freedom. We both wondered if we could do a similar thing with publishing. When we first spoke to Iain about his novella, we knew immediately that he got it. But don’t just take our word for it …
“I’m really excited to be working with Angela and Paul to bring out this novella. There's a palpable sense of creative freedom and excitement around Liminal Ink that comes from a strong indie DIY mentality that suits me and this novella perfectly. Collaborating on Life is Elsewhere/Burn Your Flags has been a lot of fun, with no idea too stupid, no problem too big tackle, and the text always at the heart of everything.”
For Paul and Angela, working with Iain feels effortless, even within the constraints of different time zones. Iain is amusing, creative and easy-going: our favourite combination (the latter attribute being especially important when we are all working to balance other commitments and expectations).
About the release
Life Is Elsewhere / Burn Your Flags is released on Thursday 16 September 2021.
To add to the anticipation, we’re printing a limited run. Pre-order here, to make sure you don’t miss out.