Freda Lightfoot speaking at Millom Library
6 May, 2011
Thursday 12th May, 6.00pm MILLOM LIBRARY Freda Lightfoot, author of House of Angels and Angels at War, will be giving a talk and signing copies of her books at Millom Library, St George’s Road, Millom, Cumbria LA18 4DD. For more information call the library on 01229 772445.
French Summer Plans?
3 May, 2011
With the May bank holiday break behind us (and the inevitable post-holiday blues) it’s time to look forward towards the summer. If you’re planning a summer escape and fancy something away from the thronging hordes and lager louts, perhaps the south of France is for you? I’m currently inspired by the upcoming women’s fiction title, […]
Easter Entertainment
19 April, 2011
I’m in a bit of a quandary at the moment. I can’t help but be a bit suspicious of the beautiful sunshine we’ve been having – and cynical about how long it’s likely to last. Do I pack the winter coats and scarfs away? Or will Mother Nature wait until the day I do so […]
SOPHIA’S SECRET WINS BEST HISTORICAL FICTION NOVEL
18 April, 2011
Susanna Kearsley’s acclaimed novel Sophia’s Secret has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Historical Fiction novel for 2010 beating Philippa Gregory’s The Red Queen.
Time for some fiction quizzes…
12 April, 2011
I’m sure by now everyone has had a go at the BBC’s book list challenge. If you are suitably impressed by your score and want another challenge, try this quiz by The Guardian, put together in honour of the Grand National last weekend: Horses in Fiction quiz. Apart from Animal Farm and Black Beauty, I […]
My vote for one of the best book blogs
5 April, 2011
There are millions of book blogs and websites out there, full of reviews both devastatingly crushing and over the top exalting. And, in the same way that I marvel at a well-written restaurant review, I take my hat off to those who manage to think up an original way of praising or criticizing a book […]
An Evening with the Femme Fatales in Edinburgh
31 March, 2011
Friday 8th April, 6.00pm – 8:00pm WATERSTONE’S, EDINBURGH Join Femmes Fatales Alanna Knight, Alex Gray and Lin Anderson for an intimate evening of crime reading. These prominent Scottish Crime Writers will be reading some of their back list, answer any questions from the audience and sign their books at Waterstone’s, 83 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 […]
Destined for literary greatness…
29 March, 2011
Later on this year we are reissuing Absolute Beginners, one of Colin MacInnes’s cult classic London Novels. Reading his biography, which mentions his mother Angela Thirkell I got to thinking about how small writing circles must have been. Thirkell, herself a writer, was a first cousin to Rudyard Kipling and her godfather was JM Barrie. […]
VETERAN CRIME WRITER HRF KEATING DIES AGED 84
29 March, 2011
Award-winning veteran crime writer HRF Keating passed away on Sunday 27 March 2011 leaving a legacy of over 50 novels including his long-running and much-adored Inspector Ghote series set in India.
Spotted anything sinister in the Cotswolds lately?
25 March, 2011
I spent this past weekend in glorious Cotswold country. Quaint little villages, stunning scenery, wholesome pub food, and antique shops galore. But I knew I shouldn’t allow myself to get too swept up in the idyllic landscape. It’s Rebecca Tope country after all. And if you’ve read her highly addictive Cotswold mystery series you’ll know […]
Who do you write like?
18 March, 2011
Nothing like a bit of self-analysis to distract one from replying to very important emails. This little gem made itself known to me on Twitter (source of many time-wasting titbits). Simply insert your latest blog, chapter of your unfinished book or whatever sample of writing you have to hand, and discover which famous author’s style […]
Afternoon Tea with Edward Marston in Ludlow
17 March, 2011
Wednesday 13th April, 4.00pm LUDLOW Hosted by Castle Bookshop, enjoy afternoon tea with historical mystery writer Edward Marston, in conversation with Kate Charles, at a private venue in Ludlow, Shropshire. Marston will be signing copies of his bestselling Railway Detective books including the new releases Railway to the Grave and Blood on the Line. […]
E-books and self-publishing
15 March, 2011
Amanda Hocking. I am fascinated by this author. She is 26 years old and has self-published her books. Her sales are in the hundreds of thousands (various sources quote numbers from 185,000 to 500,000) and the overwhelming majority of these sales are e-books. Film rights have been optioned for her Trylle series and she is […]
Vote for the Diagram Prize for Oddest Title
4 March, 2011
Voting is now open for the The Bookseller’s Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year. Esteemed diarist of The Bookseller, Mr Horace Bent, has whittled down no doubt a long list of contenders to a very deserving shortlist including the following: 8th International Friction Stir Welding Symposium Proceedings Various authors (TWI) The Generosity of […]
East Midlands Book Award reading in Leicester
2 March, 2011
Saturday 19th March, 1.00pm – 1.45pm DE MONTFORD UNIVERSITY, LEICESTER This is your chance to hear from some of the writers shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Awards. As part of the all-day States of Independence event, author Adrian Magson (reading from his crime novel Death on the Marais) will be joined by Maria Allen, […]
Catrin Collier speaking at Cwmavon Library
25 February, 2011
Wednesday 16th March, 2.00pm CWMAVON LIBRARY Catrin Collier, author of the upcoming book, Bobby’s Girl, will be talking about her writing at Cwmavon library, Depot Road, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan. For more information call 01639 896 532.
ADRIAN MAGSON SHORTLISTED FOR EAST MIDLANDS BOOK AWARD
25 February, 2011
Thriller writer Adrian Magson has been shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award 2010 for ‘Death on the Marais’, the first book in his new crime series set France in the 1960s and featuring Inspector Lucas Rocco.
Anna Dean speaking at the Stockport Culture Feast
24 February, 2011
Saturday 22nd May, 9.30am-1.00pm STOCKPORT COLLEGE As part of this year’s Culture Feast, Stockport Libraries have organised a wonderful opportunity to hear well-known writers talk about their books and how they find the writing experience! Come and meet Anna Dean (author of acclaimed Dido Kent mystery series), Stephen Booth and Anne Chilvers and get your […]
Adrian Magson workshop at York Festival of Writing
24 February, 2011
Saturday 26th March, 10.10am-11.10am UNIVERSITY OF YORK Crime and espionage novelist Adrian Magson, author of Death on the Marais, leads a workshop entitled: What’s the difference between a crime novel and a thriller? as part of the York Festival of Writing. The crime and thriller market is a huge area of sales, but has its […]
CRIMEFEST: Panel with Zoë Sharp
24 February, 2011
Saturday 21st May, 11.10am–12noon CRIMEFEST: BRISTOL MARRIOTT ROYAL HOTEL Zoë Sharp, author of the acclaimed Charlie Fox thriller including the latest release Fifth Victim, joins Simon Conway, Don Winslow and Charlie Charters on a panel entitled: The Grass Is Greener: Thrillers – UK vs US. Moderated by Nick Sayers. For more info visit Crimefest.
CRIMEFEST: Panel with Adrian Magson
24 February, 2011
Saturday 21st May, 10.00am-10.50am CRIMEFEST: BRISTOL MARRIOTT ROYAL HOTEL Adrian Magson, author of Death on the Marais and spy novel Red Station, joins Rory Clements, Simon Conway, Jeremy Duns on a panel entitled: Suspicion – Spies Coming in From the Cold?, moderated by Michael Ridpath. For more info visit Crimefest.