So this is how it is: Joey’s not real, which means, obviously, the Twitter and Facebook profiles aren’t real either. That’s not him in the photo, the Mayor of Stevenage is someone else altogether, and you can’t vote for Team Bland. Sorry.
So what’s going on?
Joey Bland is a character in a novel currently being written. He’s an ordinary bloke who, through an unlikely series of circumstances, finds himself famous – and in real danger of being swept into Downing Street on a tide of public enthusiasm. In the story, Joey goes viral. So obviously there needs to be an internet presence for him.
At least, it seemed obvious to the author.
Who’s behind it all?
Me, Andy Darley. I’m – well, I’ll let this video explain who I am. I’m writing A Naked Man Walks Into a Bar, the story of Joey Bland, his partner Fi, her daughter Sam, and the people whose lives are affected by Joey’s unexpected journey. You can email me here, if you want.
Can I buy it?
Sure, once I’ve finished it and if (big if) someone decides they want to publish it. If you want to be kept informed of developments, sign up for the newsletter here (more about the newsletter here).
So who is that in the photo?
Haven’t a clue – but you’ve no idea how much I danced when I found the image of him with the ballot box, having picked him out because of the building site ones. The photos are stock images by photographer Lisa F Young.
Important: neither Lisa F Young, nor the models in the photos, are in any way connected personally with this project or responsible for its content. Any views expressed by the characters represented by the models in the photographs are part of the work of fiction and are not those of the models.