So what's happening in my world?
The short answer is loads.
But I guess you want the long answer.
Well, I'm about to kick off on the publicity trail and anyone who has been following this blog knows that there's actually more to an author's life than just sitting at a computer writing the latest draft. It's one thing writing the book, getting it through the editing process to a satisfactory position where the editor is happy with it, but then you must do your damnedest to get the word out to potential readers.
So here, briefly, is what is on the cards in the next few months.
Radio interview with Siren FM. Check. It's in the bag and should be airing some time this coming week around the Lincoln area, as well as a podcast from South-side Broadcasting. I will post a link when it comes available.
Next week from 19th - 22nd may I'll be at bristol for Crimefest. This year I'm on a panel called 'The Grass is Greener': USA Vs UK, and for the first time will be moderating a panel called Without reservations: No Holds Barred. I'm thoroughly looking forward to Crimefest, which is rapidly becoming the best crime fiction convention in the UK.
After a very short break - where to be honest I'll be working on my next draft so it's no break at all - I'm off to Whitburn Library, South Tyneside on Friday 10th June. If anyone's in the area please come along and support your local library.
On 13th June I'm then attending the Middlesbrough Literary festival alongside Stephen Booth and Graham pears, and forensic specialists from the nearby university for a night of crime fact and fiction.
On Wednesday 15th June I'm joining Zoe Sharpe, Diane Janes and other authors at Kendal Library, Cumbria for a night of crime.
Rounding off that week, I'll be at Nottingham Crime readers day at Nottingham Library on saturday 18th June.
A few days later, Tuesday 21st June, its off to London for the inaugural Crime in the Court: Goldsboro Books's new crime spectacular in Cecil Court, London.
Couple weeks writing are then on the cards, but then it's off to New York for Thrillerfest 7th - 10th July, where I'll be taking part on a panel talking about balancing real life and fiction.
Then it's the Theakstone Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate, Yorkshire from Thursday 21st- Sunday 24th July.
But that's not all that's happening that week. Blood and Ashes is released on 21st July, and running alongside it will be a week long campaign on Talk radio where I'll also be taking part in live interviews. With an audience of over 2.5 million, I'm looking forward to this one.
All that done and dusted, I then start looking forward to the launch of the next book - Dead Men's Harvest - in mid-August, at the same time as publicising the impending release of both Slash and Burn and Cut and Run in the USA, this coming winter. For this I will be heading off to Bouchercon, St Louis, Missouri between 14th and 18th August.
Who said an author only sits at a computer writing? This is just the tip of the iceberg and doesn't take into consideration all the social networking, blogging, guest blogging etc that must be undertaken.
At the same time I'll be putting the finishing touches to JH 8, Starting JH 9, line editing and proofing JH 7, and Line editing and Proofing JH 4 for the US market. Plus other little projects I've got on the boil.
Mind you, it's still the best job in the world and I wouldn't change it one bit.
8 comments:
Ouch. Sounds like you've got a pretty full plate. I have to say though, as busy as it sounds it also sounds like tremendous fun!
It all sounds good, Matt. Hope you sell LOADS of books.
It's a hell of a life isn't it Matt! Looking forward to the rush myself, and like you wouldn't change a thing. Hopefully see you at next year's various conventions once my debut's hit the shelves!
Like I mentioned, it's a lot of hard work, a lot of hours, a lot of sitting on trains and planes, but it's the best work in the world. I probably work twice as many hours as i did as an employee, but it doesn't feel like it when you're living the career/life you aspire to.
And, if you hope to sell books, it's unavoidable. You have to do the publicity, engage with your readers and 'hopefully' they will stick with you throughout your career.
Thanks as ever to you guys for the support.
Hard work pays off, n if it's fun too, then happy days.
Good on yer, Matt.
Ooh, you little jet-setter you. But the hardwork's definitely paying off and it's well deserved.
Cheers, chaps.
It doesn't seem so much like hard work and long hours when you're doing something you love.
Sounds better than metres and metres of tiling!! LOL!!
Good luck with it, Matt. Jelous of you going to New York. Went there some years ago and it's a fantastic city.
See you in August at your next book launch.
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