Tales from the grape vine

This morning saw me finishing revisions and corrections to Joe Hunter seven, No Going Back, based on a line edit by my wonderful editor, Sue Fletcher at Hodder and Stoughton. It served me well, getting my head back into the Joe Hunter-sphere - a place I hadn't really trod since October last year. It was good to be back and hear Joe's voice in my head once more, and it has enthused me to knuckle down and get on with his next adventure.

However, there were first a few neglected chores to see to, so (reluctantly) I joined my good wife in the garden to trim back a vine that has grown to magnificent proportions and was threatening to engulf both our house and the building next door. Like Joe Hunter, I've had a few dodgy moments in my life, one of them which has left me with an equally dodgy knee, so going up a ladder wasn't my most favourite chore of the day. Needs must though and I set to it with minimal moaning (you should hear me on a good day!), and got stuck into the vine with a vengeance. Sacoteurs aren't men's tools. I'm not even sure I can spell the word correctly never mind use them with deft aplomb. I elected to the mannish approach of ripping and tearing the vine from limb to limb, battling valiantly. The problem is - unless you're Alan Titchmarsh - gardening and authoring should never be mixed. Cue blisters and a beautiful blood bleb the colour of my frost reddened cheeks. But the job's done and behind me, and I can now settle down to writing with a clear conscience (but sore hands).

Do you understand the self-sacrifice I put myself through to bring you Joe's latest adventure? ;-)

p.s. I'm seriously thinking of insuring my 'typing finger'.

An in-depth interview for your delectation A.K.A 'Of Cheeseburgers and Kings'

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by top reviewer and blogger Miles over at Milo's Rambles, who did a great job of teasing information from me.

If you'd like to read the interview, and see what the Dickens the title above refers to, take a click here: http://www.milorambles.com/2011/01/29/an-interview-with-author-matt-hilton/

I'd like to also take this opportunity to thank Miles for being such a great supporter.

Thanks.

Matt

The guy who came in from the warmth

Howdy folks,

it's been a while since I've said anything much on here, but things like the Christmas holiday, New Year and a trip to Tenerife for a well-earned break have got in the way somewhat. But now I'm back...to let you know...that I can really shake it down. Oops, slipped into a song there, but it probably tells you that I'm in upbeat spirits and ready to Rock 'n' Roll again.

As I've hinted in the past, I've been working on a project totally unrelated to Joe Hunter, and am just adding the finishing touches to it. The truth is, I'm not yet ready to share anything about the project (though a couple of trusted 'friends' might know what I'm talking about) but it's not because I'm being greedy, selfish or protective, only that I'm under strict orders to keep my lips zipped. The truth is that the project is a big step away from the Joe Hunter universe and that it may never see publication, or if it does, might go out under a pseudonym. Nevertheless, if/when it's out I will probably be able to give enough hints and prods in the right direction so my readers know what to look out for. If, say, someone got the connection and happened to tell everyone then what could I do to stop them ;-)

As it is, I'll be adding the finishing touches to the project, then in the next couple of weeks will be gearing up to get my teeth into Joe Hunter 8. At this stage I've no plans for the next Hunter book, but will be racking the old grey cells to come up with something fresh and exciting that will please Joe's followers.

Also, another little project I'm working on, that is related to Joe Hunter, is with THIRDACTMONTAGE and I'm stoked to see the finished product. More on this later as things begin to gel, but I've had permission to share with you this image (copyrighted to THIRDACTMONTAGE) and I hope you like it.

More on this soon.


In the meantime, CUT and RUN is now out in paperback, and pretty soon - Thursday 17th February to be exact - Joe Hunter 5 BLOOD and ASHES will be out in hardback in the UK. Signed copies will be available from GOLDSBORO BOOKS in London, and from ALAN WHITE FINE BOOKS in Brighton. I am holding two events in my home town of Carlisle, Cumbria. I will be holding a book launch party at 7 pm on Thursday 17th February at The Merienda, Treasury Court, Carlisle, open to all who wish to come along and get their books personally signed and dedicated. Then, for those who can't make the party, I'll be in Waterstone's, Scotch Street, Carlisle from 12.30 pm (for a couple of hours) on Saturday 19th February doing the do. I hope to see a few of you along. If you can't make it, I'll be signing stock at both BOOKENDS (who are kindly supplying books for the launch party) and at Waterstone's afterwards.


Cheers folks


Matt

Cut and Run - reviews come in

Jochem Steen over at SONS OF SPADE gives his punchy take on CUT AND RUN here:
http://sonsofspade.blogspot.com/2011/01/cut-and-run-joe-hunter-by-matt-hilton.html

Thanks JV

New Book, New Publication Date

Blood and Ashes, the fifth Joe Hunter thriller has a new publication date in the UK. previously the book was to come out on the 3rd February, but a decision has been made to hold back publication for a fortnight until 17th February. Undoubtedly those of you who have pre-ordered the book will still get your copies on or around the first week in February (I'm aware copies are now being sent out from the larger distributors).

I will be holding an 'official' launch party in my home town of Carlisle, Cumbria, on or around the new date of the 17th and will confirm details as soon as possbile for anyone intending to come along.

The wait is almost over...

In the UK, 'CUT AND RUN' the fourth high-octane Joe Hunter thriller is released today in paperback.

Many of my readers here have already caught Joe's fight against the misogynistic pro-killer, Luke Rickard, but if you haven't, don't worry, there'll be no spoilers here.

Well, maybe a little one. In CUT AND RUN Joe's past came back to haunt him BIG STYLE, and the same can be said for the next book in the series - BLOOD AND ASHES - albeit in a very different way.

Those of you eagerly waiting to get your hands on a copy of BLOOD AND ASHES the good news is that you've only a little under a month to wait. The fifth Joe Hunter book, published by Hodder and Stoughton, will be released in hardback on 3rd February 2011.

Here's the blurb:

Brooke Reynolds died in a car crash. Tragic accident, the police say. But her father Don Griffiths knows otherwise. And he wants Joe Hunter to find the men responsible.

Joe is not convinced – until he is attacked by two troublemakers, and Don's other daughter is also threatened. Looks like more than coincidence. And sure enough, the entire family is soon under siege with only Joe to protect them. The ensuing blood bath is only the beginning of a trail of death that leads right to the heart of a racist conspiracy.

White supremacists want to hold the government to ransom; and they have got hold of a dirty bomb to add weight to their case.

Joe is on countdown: can he stop the plotters before they reduce the free world to ashes?


And here's the cover to watch out for:

REDUX

http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2011/01/flashback-guest-blogger-matt-hilton.html?spref=tw

At Paul D Brazill's top rated blog 'You Would Say That, Wouldn't You?' he has reposted a guest blog I did over at his site. So if you want to know the truth about Joe Hunter, how he came about as a character and who my influences are as a writing, take a mosey on over to Paul's site. While you're there, have a look around, there are some fantastic posts, as well as some of Paul's top notch noir, crime and horror stories.

New Year, New Books, Old Haunts.

Hi folks,

it's been a week or two since I last said anything here, but like everyone else I've been up to my eyes with the Holidays. If I haven't already said so personally, then I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

I've been writing. No surprises there then? I am an author and that's what I'm supposed to do, I guess. But it has been a funny few months, between delivering book seven in the Joe Hunter series, and before starting the eighth. I've been pottering around, really, doing 'other stuff' with my writing, but nothing that I can show you or even tell you about....yet. I did do my little Joe Hunter Christmas poem, and hope you enjoyed it. Otherwise, there's nothing much that I can put my finger on as far as my writing's concerned. I often find November and December are limbo months for authors, or maybe it's just me. I have been working on another project, but this was just a personal exercise, and it may never see publication, so I feel there's not much to tell.

Still, there is some good stuff coming up soon.

In two days time (6th January) the paperback edition of CUT AND RUN hits the stands in the UK.

And in just under a month's time on the 3rd of February 2011, the fifth Joe Hunter book - BLOOD AND ASHES - will be published in hardback in the UK (Hodder and Stoughton).

For those of you interested, or who intend attending if/when it happens, I'm looking to hold an official launch for Blood and Ashes, but haven't as yet fixed a date/location, but worry not, I'll keep you all informed. It will be on or around the publication date.

I've a couple events coming up in the next few months:

For those of you attending the York Festival of Writing, I'm attending for the full duration this time, from the 24th through to the 27th of March. Please come along and say, hi, and I look forward to meeting you all there.

Also, a regular fixture on my calendar is CRIMEFEST, and this year it will be at its usual venue again (the Bristol Marriott) from 19th through to 22nd of May, and I'll be there. Again, I'd love to meet anyone who read my books and look forward to saying hello. It's a great convention and I urge readers, writers or aspiring authors to come along. You'll be glad you did.