It’s not often the reading public is treated to such an insight into a book’s rocky path to publication but this story behind the story makes for interesting reading.

In this instance, Simon Akam was contracted by Penguin Random House imprint William Heinemann for his book The Changing of the Guard about the British Army.

The publisher was later to cancel the publishing contract leaving Akam not only in a serious financial hole but in dispute with a major publisher. A small independent Australian publisher with a strong UK presence – Scribe Publications – stepped into the breach.

His story, recounted to Guardian journalist Sian Cain, makes for interesting reading.

You can read our earlier review of the book at this link:

New book examines the British Army since 9/11