What's in a name?

Yesterday, I returned home to find a package containing some advance copies of my first book from Heyne (Verlagsgruppe Random House Germany) titled Der Knochen Sammler - The Bone Collector -which has been translated from the original DMD by Imke Walsh-Araya (I think) and have to admit to sitting down and having a flick through, even though I speak as much German as I do Klingon, which isn't a lot believe me. I was interested to see how Rink's colourful language translated and just what 'frog-giggin' mutha******s' would look like in the German language.

The book is due on the shelves mid-February.

Joe Hunter's punch 'em up

OK, all of you that have spent many hours playing on Joe Hunter's Shoot 'Em Up game will be please to hear that the second installment of the game has been added to the website at Joe Hunter Vigilante dot com.

Like Rock'Em Sock 'Em Robots, this Punch 'Em Up is even more addictive than the first game.

It's simple, ctrl and arrows work everything (have a look at the instructions before starting), then enjoy here: http://www.joehuntervigilante.com/

Call for your support

As most regulars here know, I was writing in solitude for a number of years and being a bit of a Luddite (and Skint to boot) I didn't have access to the web and all its wonderful tools. Thus said, I was a late comer to the world of blogging and E-zines. When I got my publishing deal, many aspiring authors got in touch to give me their best wishes and also to ask me for advice and my opinion on their writing. Wanting to pay forward some of my good fortune, I decided to set up a blog-site where writers of horror, crime, noir, mysteries and thrillers could share their work with like-minded readers/writers to get feedback and support. From that idea, grew THRILLERS, KILLERS 'N' CHILLERS, which has become a very popular venue for said people. Such that it's now more popular than my own blog!

Col Bury, an aspiring author from the UK has helped me with the site almost from its inception, and we now up-keep the site between us.

Saying all that, it's time for voting for the Editors and Predators E-zine Awards. If you think that Thrillers, Killers 'N' Chillers is worthy of a vote then you can do so here:

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/fictionzine.shtml


Please follow the instructions to log your vote on-line. The voting runs until 14th January so not much time left. Although you are asked to leave your email address, there will be no SPAM. This is for the purpose of ensuring that votes (multiple votes) aren't weighted in anyones favour, and all email addresses will be deleted once the voting is done (the instructions state this).

By the way, if you haven't visited TKnC take a look here: http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/


Matt

CRIMEFEST 2010 is coming.

We're already into the new year and hotting up for another year of writing, writing and more writing, as well as setting off on the publicity trail. One of the events I'm looking forward to is the next CRIMEFEST which is taking place in Bristol Thursday 20th until Sunday 23rd May. I've just added a link to Crimefest 2010 in the sidebar to make it easy for anyone considering attending.

For all you aspiring crime novelists out there who are at that point where they are thinking of approaching an agent, then take a look at the PITCH AN AGENT session on Thursday 20th May. It's like a 10 minute speed-dating session with a top agent where you get the opportunity to 'display your wares' and hopefully interest them enough to pick you up. It's maybe an opportunity you would otherwise miss if sending out the standard enquiry letter.

http://www.crimefest.com

Joe Hunter hits Malaysia (but thankfully there's no damage)

http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=42028

I was exstatic to read this review of Judgement and Wrath from Sharon Wong, a reporter at THE SUN DAILY a newspaper out in Malaysia.

Sharon - amongst other things says: "Judgement & Wrath is absolutely gripping stuff and what I would call a true thriller."

The Mistress of Murder

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/daily/The-mistress-of-murder.5923191.jp

Since I got 'the deal' I've had the great fortune of meeting many writers who I have admired for years and who have been very kind and forthcoming in 'showing me the ropes'. It has come to my notice that the crime writers of the world are a solid bunch who are easy going, open and willing to help each other out. One such writer is Sheila Quigley, author of the Seahills series of gritty northern crime books, the most recent of which is THE ROAD TO HELL. Sheila is not only a great writer, she's also a lovely woman with the most infectious laughter you could ever hear. Any way, paying forward the help and advice that Sheila has given me, I'd like to share Sheila's story with my readers. I think - especially if you are an aspiring writer - you can see that adversity isn't something that should hold you back. I think you'll find Sheila's tale inspirational. Follow the link above to read a piece about her in the Sunderland Echo.

Mysteries Vs Thrillers

While I was in New York last July for Thrillerfest, I joined a host of other top authors including Andrew Gross and Peter DeJong to debate the differences between mystery and thriller books. Here is a compendium of some of the authors (including me) giving our take on that age old debate.  Just click here