Rush to supply prize-winner

A BODMIN book manufacturer has been rushing to put the new Man Booker prize-winning novel into stores throughout the UK.

Within half an hour of the winning novel being announced in London last Tuesday night, the presses of MPG Books were rolling.

Winning the top literary award always sparks an increase in sales, and publishers Atlantic Books have high expectations for Aravind Adiga's debut novel, The White Tiger.

MPG Books' managing director Tony Chard, said the company was thrilled to be associated with the title.

"It immediately saw the factory busy with a 35,000 order of books to be produced in two days.

"Everyone is geared up for the increase in productivity which is a welcome boost during the credit crunch, the publisher and the high street.

"The White Tiger is our first Booker Prize-winner and the accolade raises our profile in the European marketplace," added Mr Chard.

The company produces 5,000 titles a year, from books to journals, and employs 140 people.

General manager Dave Brenton said the factory was always busy, but order put extra pressure on staff. "We have been producing hardback and paperback editions," he said.

" It's not uncommon for us to deal with a book run of this length, but it's the tight turnaround we have had to deal with. The Booker prize-winner was announced at 10.30pm last Tuesday and by 11pm we had the new order for The White Tiger in production, ready to put books in the shops later in the week." Interest in the novel following its Booker success has meant no sooner had the 35,000 order rolled off the presses, the publisher ordered a further 20,000 copies.