Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch

Subject: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 06:31 AM

Andy Kershaw posts this on Facebook. Thought it worth sharing here where he has friends and admirers:-



       If you have read - and enjoyed - my autobiography PLEASE recommend it to your friends, or perhaps even buy them a copy for Christmas. I'll be really honest with you: I am having to face up to a real problem. Although the extraordinary number - and proportion - of 5 star reviews for No Off Switch on Amazon (117 in a total of 121) indicates that those who are aware of the book like it very much, and suggests I have made a pretty good job of writing it, it has become clear that the wider public has no idea it has even been published. It is, to all intents and purposes, invisible.

       Despite your enthusiastic reception, and the astonishing and generous endorsements of the book by the likes of Stephen Fry and Pete Townshend, my publishers won't advertise it, not even in the grown-up music monthlies. High street WH Smith's and HMV are not stocking it. Newspapers and magazines (with a couple of noble exceptions) have refused to review it, saying they do not feature paperbacks - although even fewer reviewed it as a hardback. Not one national radio or television programme (chat shows and books programmes) has taken up the offers for me to appear on those slots. Meanwhile, I went to a gig the other night, after which I was joined on the pavement outside by fellow enthusiasts. Not one of those natural AK supporters knew I'd written my autobiography. It is completely demoralising.

       Aside from the enormous support you have given me here (and HUGE thanks for that) I am getting no help to publicise the book's existence whatsoever. It is now sinking in a torrent of "celebrity" trash in the run up to Christmas. Unless it makes an impact now, it will soon be written off. I am horrified by this. Clearly, the publishing sausage machine has already moved on - just two months after paperback publication.

       This has been bothering me for some time now. So far, I have been reluctant to go public with these shortcomings, prepared as I was to give others the opportunity - and the benefit of the doubt. But now I realise I have no choice.

       Meanwhile, I've always thought that my strongest publicity ally is word of mouth - and my friends. Personal recommendation is also the most trusted and trustworthy form of advertising. I would not ask any of you to say anything you did not actually feel. All I ask of those among you who have enjoyed No Off Switch is, PLEASE, spread the word. I have no better advocates. And, as it is - I am learning - I have nothing else. Many thanks to those of you who have already bought the book, read it, and said kind things about it on Amazon and elsewhere. Thanks for reading this, and for anything you can do. A x (The link below is to the No Off Switch page on Amazon. Thanks).

       http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Off-Switch-Andy-Kershaw/dp/0753541076/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Subject: RE: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: Continuity Jones
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 08:56 AM

Not fond of posting negative reviews really, but I found this book a bitter read. I couldn't recommend it at all. I loved Andy's radio programmes and enjoyed his presenting style, but with this book he comes across as a horribly egotistical man. I strongly suspect that if his book isn't selling, the main reason is him coming across as a man you'd cross the road to avoid.

Subject: RE: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 09:02 AM

I found him difficult to like as a person when he was on the radio. The biggest problem for me, was getting past his ego. Sorry about your problems Andy, but pleased you appear to be learning humility.

Subject: RE: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: foggers
Date: 09 Dec 12 - 03:39 PM

The book was a mixed pleasure for me; enjoyed some of the tales of gigs and musicians I am interested in, but I got horribly uncomfortable with the "poor me" tone of the later section about the demise of his longterm relationship and loss of contact with his children. That all came across as a very one-sided tale and I wonder most of all about what his offspring might make of his version of events themselves.

Subject: RE: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: GUEST, Paul Slade
Date: 10 Dec 12 - 08:25 AM

I agree that the final chapter leaves one feeling a bit queasy - Kershaw did bring most of his family problems on himself, after all - but there's a huge amount to enjoy in the rest of the book. His adventures as a foreign correspondent are every bit as entertaining as the (often excellent) material about music. I always enjoyed Kershaw's company on the radio, and I wish someone would give him own show again.

Subject: RE: Andy Kershaw - No Off Switch
From: GUEST,Big Dave
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 09:14 AM

Not a lot to disagree with here - it's largely entertaining (though certainly some of these episodes have more than a touch of fiction about them) but the sheer egoism and the 'everything is somebody else's fault' attitude do spoil it somewhat.