Thursday 16 September 2010

The Skin We're In

Even More Tonto Short Stories is an anthology of crime, slice of life and other tales published by Tonto Books. It contains stories by established authors and newcomers alike. Some time ago I was asked to contribute to the anthology, to help support writing in the north of England, to which I agreed wholeheartedly (I think you all know how much I like to help aspiring authors by now). In EMTSS you can find my original, never-published-before-short-story 'THE SKIN WE'RE IN'.

The first thing I'll say is it's not a Joe Hunter story and has nothing to do with Hunter in any shape or form. However you will probably recognise my style of writing: set in the north-east of England, it is a fast-moving actioner packed with grit and balls and not a little pathos. I'd love to hear what anyone who has read it thinks as it really is a divergence for me in publishing this kind of tale.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Even-More-Tonto-Short-Stories/dp/1907183043

Also, while I'm at it, I'd like to mention that the antho also contains my friend Col Bury's first published story called MOPPING UP, another fast-moving actioner packed with grit and balls and well worth a read. Look it up if you haven't already. The story is an intro to Col's first novel which is currently doing the rounds with the publishers by way of NYC agent, Nat Sobel.

By the way - to set the record straight - I do not profit from this book in any form and do not have any connection to Tonto Books or any others (apart from my regular publishers) connected with the publication of this book. My intention of bringing it to your notice is to simply share some great tales you might otherwise miss out on, and to bring to your attention some fine new writers.

4 comments:

Lee Hughes said...

I'll probably grab a copy just to check Col's story out ;oP

Going from the cover I thought you all had written ones about circus big-tops, but it's a crime/action one, well I never.

Author said...

Just like I'd nothing to do with the production of the book, I'd no input into the cover. Not something I'd have picked, but it is eye-catching.

I haven't got through all the stories yet, but I haven't spotted a big top. Some top stories mind ya.

Alan Griffiths said...

Congrats Matt and of course to Col as well - that boy is riding high at the moment and good on him, unlike his beloved footie team though!

I'll keep an eye out for this anthology.

Kind regards.

Stu said...

Thanks for the mention, Matt.

Cheers, Lee. It's never easy to design a cover that gets across the themes of 36 stories with a single image. It's a varied mixture of short stories rather than a crime collection - tried to project a feeling of freshness and entertainment, rather than a 'kitchen sink' style.
Hope you enjoy reading it.

And big thanks to Matt and Col - two great stories to have in there.