Johnny Rich's Blog
September 28, 2015
The Human Script: finally available in paperback
It's been a long time coming, but finally The Human Script is about to be available in paperback.
The trek to publication was arduous. After initially setting several literary agents alight with excitement, it was turned down by every UK mainstream publisher, usually after the intervention of the marketing departments who didn't see it as a commercial hit.
More than 10 years later, Red Button, a small independent digital-only publisher decided it was one of the many books written each year which should have reached the shelves.
It appeared in 2013 as an eBook and readers, it seems, have agreed with Red Button. The acclaim has been all but universal and not just from readers. The novel is fast becoming a 'whisper hit', a book that finds an ever-widening readership, not because of an expensive marketing campaign or big brands, but just because those in the know recommend it.
Reviewers and other authors have joined the fan club. Booker nominated Tom McCarthy has called it “a captivating, intelligent and deeply affecting exploration of science, literature and ideas.�
"The Booksmoke team reads a lot of books but so far nothing has beaten Johnny Rich's The Human Script. Hands down my book of the year. Brave, intelligent and gloriously unsettling. Tackling the big, beautiful, murky questions of science and genetics, 'nature/nurture', love, life, death. There are few books I finish and have to start at the beginning again but this was one of them.�
Alex Masters, BookSmoke
“A novel which is gripping, bursting with ideas and evidently written by a skilled story-teller�
Like most readers who devour large amounts of fiction, I have developed the ability to anticipate narrative trajectories with reasonable success. Without divulging too much for fear of diminishing enjoyment of the story, Johnny Rich had duped me and I loved it. I finished the novel with a big stupid grin on my face...
The Human Script is an engaging novel brimming with ideas, so much so I feel it would stand up to multiple re readings within a short space of time. To say I enjoyed The Human Script would be an understatement. It provided me with the long forgotten thrill of not knowing how a novel will conclude, and for that I am grateful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clever, well written fiction.�
BookemStevo
"Incredibly clever and smart, and really made me think, while keeping me entertained to the end. The characters were engaging, and the plot was gripping. If you want to try something truly different and unique, I would highly recommend this book."
Stephanie Cox, Words are my Craft
"The Human Script is a book of many levels. On first glance it is a poignant love story, but as the reader peels away the layers it becomes a book about belief, faith, science and the nature of reality�
Johnny Rich is a lover of literature and this is clear in his clever use of motifs and themes within The Human Script. His writing is reminiscent of Tom McCarthy and David Mitchell; readers may find that upon reading the last page they will want to start all over again. Intelligent, thought-provoking and profoundly moving, The Human Script is a book that will start conversations and will linger in your mind for a long time."
Justine Solomons, Byte the Book
This story is about to open a new chapter: from this Wednesday (1st October), The Human Script is available as a paperback book, priced £9.99 in the UK.
Watch this space for announcements of readings and other events coming soon.
The trek to publication was arduous. After initially setting several literary agents alight with excitement, it was turned down by every UK mainstream publisher, usually after the intervention of the marketing departments who didn't see it as a commercial hit.
More than 10 years later, Red Button, a small independent digital-only publisher decided it was one of the many books written each year which should have reached the shelves.
It appeared in 2013 as an eBook and readers, it seems, have agreed with Red Button. The acclaim has been all but universal and not just from readers. The novel is fast becoming a 'whisper hit', a book that finds an ever-widening readership, not because of an expensive marketing campaign or big brands, but just because those in the know recommend it.
Reviewers and other authors have joined the fan club. Booker nominated Tom McCarthy has called it “a captivating, intelligent and deeply affecting exploration of science, literature and ideas.�
"The Booksmoke team reads a lot of books but so far nothing has beaten Johnny Rich's The Human Script. Hands down my book of the year. Brave, intelligent and gloriously unsettling. Tackling the big, beautiful, murky questions of science and genetics, 'nature/nurture', love, life, death. There are few books I finish and have to start at the beginning again but this was one of them.�
Alex Masters, BookSmoke
“A novel which is gripping, bursting with ideas and evidently written by a skilled story-teller�
Like most readers who devour large amounts of fiction, I have developed the ability to anticipate narrative trajectories with reasonable success. Without divulging too much for fear of diminishing enjoyment of the story, Johnny Rich had duped me and I loved it. I finished the novel with a big stupid grin on my face...
The Human Script is an engaging novel brimming with ideas, so much so I feel it would stand up to multiple re readings within a short space of time. To say I enjoyed The Human Script would be an understatement. It provided me with the long forgotten thrill of not knowing how a novel will conclude, and for that I am grateful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clever, well written fiction.�
BookemStevo
"Incredibly clever and smart, and really made me think, while keeping me entertained to the end. The characters were engaging, and the plot was gripping. If you want to try something truly different and unique, I would highly recommend this book."
Stephanie Cox, Words are my Craft
"The Human Script is a book of many levels. On first glance it is a poignant love story, but as the reader peels away the layers it becomes a book about belief, faith, science and the nature of reality�
Johnny Rich is a lover of literature and this is clear in his clever use of motifs and themes within The Human Script. His writing is reminiscent of Tom McCarthy and David Mitchell; readers may find that upon reading the last page they will want to start all over again. Intelligent, thought-provoking and profoundly moving, The Human Script is a book that will start conversations and will linger in your mind for a long time."
Justine Solomons, Byte the Book
This story is about to open a new chapter: from this Wednesday (1st October), The Human Script is available as a paperback book, priced £9.99 in the UK.
Watch this space for announcements of readings and other events coming soon.
September 16, 2015
Ponderables: when your brain says, "But I was provoked!"
I was asked a while back what were some of the philosophical areas touched on by my novel The Human Script.
The result was the following. A list of what I called ponderables � questions that act as a better brain gym than sudoku, that may even reveal to you what you believe.
For the answers to the questions, read The Human Script. The answers are all in there. Somewhere. Although don't expect them always to be straightforward.
Please enjoy � and feel free to share your thoughts.
On free will and determinism
1) Could the future ever turn out otherwise than how it will have turned out?
2) If a butterfly flaps its wings, can it have no effect whatsoever?
3) Could anything ever happen without being caused by something else?
4) If what we do is influenced by nature and nurture, what room does that leave for free will?
5) Which constrains you more? Your genetic inheritance or your personal history?
6) Can you make choices on instinct and still be said to be exercising free will?
7) How do your genes and your environment impact what you do? Could you ever know which causes what?
8) If you take a drug � and cannot help doing so because of addiction � do you still have free will?
9) If a drug makes you act a certain way, do you still have free will?
10) If two clones cannot be in the same place all the time, in what ways might that make them different?
11) Can we change ourselves? Or are we changed by influences? Can wanting to change come from outside the self?
12) If I decide something, who is “I�? My brain, my soul, my environment, my genes?
13) If you decide to change yourself, will you still be you afterwards? Why?
14) If God knows all, he knows what you’ll decide. So, is an omniscient god reconcilable with idea of free will?
On art and literature
15) Does art have to be good to be art?
16) Can an idea be an artwork itself or does there have to be a physical artwork that expresses that idea?
17) Could a fictional character be said to exercise free will? Would they think that they can?
18) How do you know you’re not a fictional character?
19) Does a fictional character feel pain?
20) Do novelists play god? Do they have a moral duty to their characters?
21) Is the ‘soul� separate from the physical self? If so, where is it? Can fictional characters have one?
22) If something is true, then anything that contradicts it must be false. Is the same true in fiction?
23) Fiction is made up, but tries to be true to life. Is that possible if it’s all just artful lying?
On celebrity
24) If a famous person is different from their public persona does that mean the ‘celebrity' isn’t real?
25) What if a celebrity turned out to be a hoax, a fiction? Should it matter to their fans?
On life, sex and happiness
26) Is your sexuality what you feel or what you do? What if they’re different?
27) How do you know whether you’re happy?
28) Could suicide ever be a rational choice?
On faith and reality
29) Do you need faith to believe in the scientific method?
30) Is there a difference between believing something is true and knowing it? Don't you have to believe that you know something?
31) For something to be perfect, does it have to be real? Isn’t failure to exist an imperfection?
The result was the following. A list of what I called ponderables � questions that act as a better brain gym than sudoku, that may even reveal to you what you believe.
For the answers to the questions, read The Human Script. The answers are all in there. Somewhere. Although don't expect them always to be straightforward.
Please enjoy � and feel free to share your thoughts.
On free will and determinism
1) Could the future ever turn out otherwise than how it will have turned out?
2) If a butterfly flaps its wings, can it have no effect whatsoever?
3) Could anything ever happen without being caused by something else?
4) If what we do is influenced by nature and nurture, what room does that leave for free will?
5) Which constrains you more? Your genetic inheritance or your personal history?
6) Can you make choices on instinct and still be said to be exercising free will?
7) How do your genes and your environment impact what you do? Could you ever know which causes what?
8) If you take a drug � and cannot help doing so because of addiction � do you still have free will?
9) If a drug makes you act a certain way, do you still have free will?
10) If two clones cannot be in the same place all the time, in what ways might that make them different?
11) Can we change ourselves? Or are we changed by influences? Can wanting to change come from outside the self?
12) If I decide something, who is “I�? My brain, my soul, my environment, my genes?
13) If you decide to change yourself, will you still be you afterwards? Why?
14) If God knows all, he knows what you’ll decide. So, is an omniscient god reconcilable with idea of free will?
On art and literature
15) Does art have to be good to be art?
16) Can an idea be an artwork itself or does there have to be a physical artwork that expresses that idea?
17) Could a fictional character be said to exercise free will? Would they think that they can?
18) How do you know you’re not a fictional character?
19) Does a fictional character feel pain?
20) Do novelists play god? Do they have a moral duty to their characters?
21) Is the ‘soul� separate from the physical self? If so, where is it? Can fictional characters have one?
22) If something is true, then anything that contradicts it must be false. Is the same true in fiction?
23) Fiction is made up, but tries to be true to life. Is that possible if it’s all just artful lying?
On celebrity
24) If a famous person is different from their public persona does that mean the ‘celebrity' isn’t real?
25) What if a celebrity turned out to be a hoax, a fiction? Should it matter to their fans?
On life, sex and happiness
26) Is your sexuality what you feel or what you do? What if they’re different?
27) How do you know whether you’re happy?
28) Could suicide ever be a rational choice?
On faith and reality
29) Do you need faith to believe in the scientific method?
30) Is there a difference between believing something is true and knowing it? Don't you have to believe that you know something?
31) For something to be perfect, does it have to be real? Isn’t failure to exist an imperfection?
April 10, 2015
Ponderables
In the UK we're in the run-up to a general election and for many, the petty politicking puts the 'pain' into 'campaign'.
So, as a distraction, I thought it might be fun to sue this time to ponder some deeper questions than those of politics. They are equally unanswerable, but some answers make more sense that others.
To join in, each day at noon (BST) between now and the election on 7th May, a new question will be posted on Twitter by @human_script using the hashtag #ponderables . They will also be posted on . I'll try to post them here too once they've been published elsewhere, but it won't be one a day.
They will be philosophical , provocative and, I hope, fun. For the answers to the questions, read The Human Script. The answers are all in there. Somewhere. Although don't expect them always to be straightforward.
So, as a distraction, I thought it might be fun to sue this time to ponder some deeper questions than those of politics. They are equally unanswerable, but some answers make more sense that others.
To join in, each day at noon (BST) between now and the election on 7th May, a new question will be posted on Twitter by @human_script using the hashtag #ponderables . They will also be posted on . I'll try to post them here too once they've been published elsewhere, but it won't be one a day.
They will be philosophical , provocative and, I hope, fun. For the answers to the questions, read The Human Script. The answers are all in there. Somewhere. Although don't expect them always to be straightforward.
November 14, 2014
Questions writers dread � and The Human Script at half price
I recently wrote a blog for my publishers' website about being asked by readers. Number one on the list is 'What's your novel about?'
It's a fair question, but I'm the worst person to answer it. If I could answer it easily, I wouldn't have wanted to write the novel.
Meanwhile, they've also put my novel The Human Script on a special half-price offer for a limited time. I don't know how long it will last, so grab it while you can.
It's a fair question, but I'm the worst person to answer it. If I could answer it easily, I wouldn't have wanted to write the novel.
Meanwhile, they've also put my novel The Human Script on a special half-price offer for a limited time. I don't know how long it will last, so grab it while you can.
May 13, 2013
NEW REVIEW OF THE HUMAN SCRIPT: "SOMETHING WONDERFUL HAPPENED"
Another rave review of The Human Script has been published, this time by highly respected book blogger Bookemstevo...
You can read the whole review , but be warned, there's a small spoiler in there.
Here are some highlights:
"a novel which is gripping, bursting with ideas and evidently written by a skilled story-teller"
"something wonderful happened. As the novel unfolded I realised I’d been had. It was the author’s intent that the characters should appear that way to me. Like most readers who devour large amounts of fiction, I have developed the ability to anticipate narrative trajectories with reasonable success. Without divulging too much for fear of diminishing enjoyment of the story, Johnny Rich had duped me and I loved it. I finished the novel with a big stupid grin on my face."
"I also enjoyed Rich’s writing on science and belief systems. By juxtaposing systems such as science, religion and even astrology, Rich uses them to explore ideas like pre-destination, probability and the human tendency toward narrative. His passages about DNA are beautifully lucid and informative, especially for those of us who are a little fuzzy about amino acids."
"Rich’s sophistication in engaging with [science and religion] is refreshing."
"The Human Script is an engaging novel brimming with ideas, so much so I feel it would stand up to multiple re readings within a short space of time. To say I enjoyed The Human Script would be an understatement. It provided me with the long forgotten thrill of not knowing how a novel will conclude, and for that I am grateful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clever, well written fiction."
You can read the whole review , but be warned, there's a small spoiler in there.
Here are some highlights:
"a novel which is gripping, bursting with ideas and evidently written by a skilled story-teller"
"something wonderful happened. As the novel unfolded I realised I’d been had. It was the author’s intent that the characters should appear that way to me. Like most readers who devour large amounts of fiction, I have developed the ability to anticipate narrative trajectories with reasonable success. Without divulging too much for fear of diminishing enjoyment of the story, Johnny Rich had duped me and I loved it. I finished the novel with a big stupid grin on my face."
"I also enjoyed Rich’s writing on science and belief systems. By juxtaposing systems such as science, religion and even astrology, Rich uses them to explore ideas like pre-destination, probability and the human tendency toward narrative. His passages about DNA are beautifully lucid and informative, especially for those of us who are a little fuzzy about amino acids."
"Rich’s sophistication in engaging with [science and religion] is refreshing."
"The Human Script is an engaging novel brimming with ideas, so much so I feel it would stand up to multiple re readings within a short space of time. To say I enjoyed The Human Script would be an understatement. It provided me with the long forgotten thrill of not knowing how a novel will conclude, and for that I am grateful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clever, well written fiction."
April 29, 2013
NEW author interview
JUST PUBLISHED: You can now read an interview with Johnny Rich
