[Cutting Contest] is a fast-paced and free-flowing story of harmony and discord.
—Kaisa Mäensivu
Cutting Contest is an energetic novel about a dry-humoured and hot-tempered young trombone player on the brink of financial, professional and personal ruin. Published in September, 2025: Connie Benson is a 26-year-old trombone player whose reckless online persona is taking over her life—and trashing it. She is buried under a mountain of personal debt, her professional reputation is falling apart and her relationship with her mother is hanging by a thread.
When she snatches the last open spot in a sponsored music contest, Connie has one final opportunity to turn her life around. Six young jazz musicians with strong social media profiles travel across Europe, battling on stage and online for a chance to grab a lucrative recording contract. But only one performer can win…
With breathless momentum and intoxicating prose, Cutting Contest marks the exhilarating arrival of a buoyant and distinctive literary voice.
The novel is available in paperback and digital eBook formats. The cover displays a specially designed motif created by rising-star illustrator and artist, Elaine Victoria. It also features a quote from internationally renowned composer and bassist Kaisa Mäensivu: “A fast-paced and free-flowing story of harmony and discord.”
Matty Bannond is available to provide quotes and to appear on podcasts or vlogs, as well as at events, book clubs and other discussion platforms.
The book is available worldwide in paperback and eBook formats here.
When she snatches the last open spot in a sponsored music contest, Connie has one final opportunity to turn her life around. Six young jazz musicians with strong social media profiles travel across Europe, battling on stage and online for a chance to grab a lucrative recording contract. But only one performer can win…
With breathless momentum and intoxicating prose, Cutting Contest marks the exhilarating arrival of a buoyant and distinctive literary voice.
The novel is available in paperback and digital eBook formats. The cover displays a specially designed motif created by rising-star illustrator and artist, Elaine Victoria. It also features a quote from internationally renowned composer and bassist Kaisa Mäensivu: “A fast-paced and free-flowing story of harmony and discord.”
Matty Bannond is available to provide quotes and to appear on podcasts or vlogs, as well as at events, book clubs and other discussion platforms.
The book is available worldwide in paperback and eBook formats here.
