It has been a while since last I looked in on my blog. Hefty slap on my wrist self-administered. I thought it was about time that I brought you up to speed on some of my writing that you might have missed in the meantime.
In regards Joe Hunter, Marked For Death, the 12th book in the series is now available in ebook, hardback and paperback editions.
The Tess Grey and Nicolas 'Po' Villere series continues to grow, with book 5 in the series False Move to be published on 31st January 2019, with an ebook to follow.
I also started a new series, a crime and supernatural cross-over, with DARKE, and this is now available in ebook, paperback and also as an audio download read by Julia Barrie.
Wednesday 2 January 2019
Wednesday 2 August 2017
Would I Lie To You?
Would
I lie to you?
I make stuff up for a living. I’m not a
professional liar; I’m an author of fiction books. It’s a weird contradiction
considering one of the things I dislike most is telling a lie. I try to temper
both aspects of my psyche by reassuring myself that when writing fiction it’s
more a bending of reality than a downright untruth. So I’m happy enough with
that. Except sometimes reality can prove not only stranger than fiction, it can
sometimes overtake it to a point where it is almost unbelievable.
When
I was writing my most recent Joe Hunter novel, Marked For Death, I had him
stumbling into a terrorist plot to attack soft targets in the US. Some of the
scenes I’d written reflected too closely the shocking attacks that subsequently
occurred in London and Manchester, so I went back and changed them. It wasn’t
because I wanted to shy away from the horror experienced by the victims of the
attacks, but neither did I want to cause them any distress. I don’t write
action thrillers to glorify violence, but to show how ugly and damaging it
really is. I stuck with the plot, if not the individual scenes, and instead of
avoiding the issue altogether I wove the incidents into the narrative to add a
touch of realism to my fiction. In one way, I guess that by still sending
Hunter up against the bad guys I was thumbing my nose at those lunatics trying
to terrify us into changing our way of life. But then, maybe I’m thinking too
deep.
No.
I write primarily for entertainment’s sake. The Joe Hunter books aren’t some
social, political or religious comment on the state of the world. They’re there
for fun and a visceral kick of adrenaline. I make ’em up, so that readers can
escape reality for a few hours, where they can cheer for the good guys and boo
and hiss at the baddies. For this one I’ve ramped up the action to please my
long time fans, and hopefully to give new readers another hero to root for.
If
you haven’t tried a Hunter book before, it’s probably a good idea for me to
introduce him. Hunter is British, an ex-soldier who once worked for a fictional
counterterrorism unit, but is now out in the world with little direction and a
heap of physical skills. In the books he works for his friend Jared ‘Rink’
Rington’s private investigations firm in the USA. But Hunter isn’t an
investigator; he is employed to do the kind of work where some physical
intervention might be required. He tends to be a protector first, and sometimes
a vehicle for vengeance. He isn’t afraid to use his fists or his gun when
trouble arises, and he’s the type to attract trouble. In some respects he’s a
throw back to earlier days, a bit like the lawmen of the Wild West, tough and
uncompromising, with a set of questionable morals, but also good at heart. His
adventures aren’t what you find in your typical British crime fiction novel,
and aren’t whodunits or police procedurals, they’re more race against time
thrillers. There’s a reason why I chose to write in this style and it’s because
it’s the type of book I prefer to read. I grew up reading what used to be
termed men’s action adventure books (now more commonly called action thrillers)
and was hugely inspired by them when I set out on my own writing career.
American authors wrote many of those books, and so I’ve absorbed more of their
tropes than I have of classic British crime fiction writers. Crime obviously
plays a huge part in the Hunter series, but viewed from a different angle than
a mystery to be solved, and more a problem to be dealt with.
Marked
For Death is the twelfth book in the Joe Hunter series, but fear not, it is a
standalone adventure, and a good place at which to meet Hunter if you choose to
pick up the book. Despite the dark and fearful nature of the crimes involved,
it’s a fun and frantic ride. And like I said, it’s makey-up stuff, although set
against a very real backdrop, and genuine threat. In my humble opinion I
believe it’s Hunter’s most explosive adventure to date. Honest. Would I lie to
you?
Tuesday 1 August 2017
How To Eat An Elephant (or write your novel) #writinginspiration
How
to Eat an Elephant
At author events, and during interviews,
I’m often asked what my working day consists of, and how I approach my writing.
So I thought this could be a good opportunity to explain. Since leaving the
police force to write full-time in 2008, I’ve managed to pen (actually that
should be type, as I work direct onto my computer screen these days) twenty-two
published novels, with between 90 and 120 thousand words in each, as well as a
raft of short stories, novellas and flash fiction, primarily in the action
thriller genre, but also some horror and supernatural. That’s not including all
the words I write for articles, interviews and on the social media networks, of
course – I’ve probably written more there than ever ended up in any published
volume. When I say that, some people blink in surprise, and wonder aloud how I
manage to write so much. The trite answer is that it’s my job, but in reality
it’s also what I enjoy doing.
I’m
paraphrasing but there’s an old adage that goes something like “to eat an
elephant take only one bite at a time”, and it’s with that steady approach to
manageable chunks that I go. When you think about it, writing one thousand
words a day is achievable (it’s less the length of this blog post). In 90 days,
that’s 90 thousand words, and about the length of a modern manuscript of
approximately 300 pages in book form. If you double your word count, you can
write a 90K words rough draft in as little as one and a half months. That isn’t
to say that your book is finished by any means, as editing and re-writing must
be taken into account, but you can see how the daunting prospect of writing a
book might not seem as impossible any more. Obviously I’m in the enviable
position of having the time to write, to get down my word count, but being an
author these days isn’t just about writing a book – there’s so much more that
must be done that ekes into my time too. I’m still a family man with
commitments, and part of my job these days is to engage with readers and attend
library and bookshop events, and conventions, so every day isn’t a writing day.
But I do try to write every day, even if it’s only a paragraph or two – each
little bit of that elephant I tackle makes less to face tomorrow. When I’m on a
deadline, I set myself a daily target of two thousand words, and I force myself
to sit down and get them done. Usually, once I know where the book is headed
and the adrenaline kicks in as the end comes in sight, I speed up, and it’s not
unknown for me to write two or three times as much per day.
I’m
not much of a forward planner. I prefer to write by the seat of my pants.
Usually I have a theme in mind, a very basic plot and where things might end
up. Then I start at the beginning and write through to the end, usually being
surprised by the direction the story takes itself as I go. There’s no right and wrong way to write. Some
authors prefer to meticulously plot their books, and write out a mass of notes,
plot chapters and scenes beforehand, before ever getting down to writing the
book itself. That’s good. I’m the opposite. But that’s good too. As is every
other method in between. You have to find the way that suits you. I’ve tried
plotting books out chapter by chapter and found myself getting bored, or going
so far off tangent that getting the story back on its original track is almost
impossible. I prefer my writing to be almost organic, growing in my mind as I
put down new seeds on paper. I also write quite visually. By that I mean I
choreograph scenes in my mind’s eye the way a movie director might, choosing
the best angle, the best point of view to show the action from, and then
translate them into the medium of prose. Often, by the action-packed nature of
my books, I get caught up in the writing, and have been known to bounce about on
my chair, fist-pumping the air while wearing a silly grin.
My
research method is similarly as organic. There’s nothing like getting your feet
on the ground, and hearing, smelling, tasting and touching the environment to
get a genuine feel for the places you write about. But because I’m often
writing about the USA while sitting at my desk in a rural corner of northern
England, that option isn’t always open to me. So I rely a lot on the Internet
and Google Earth etc. But what I prefer to do is look out random facts, then
follow other links to something I wasn’t looking for in the first place. It’s
those little surprise finds that often add flavour to your writing, rather than
some info dump grabbed wholesale from Wikipedia or some other source.
Occasionally I come across a fact or even place or feature that I simply have
to incorporate into the story. It’s also not unknown for me to make stuff up:
I’m a fiction writer after all. Seriously though, by that I mean I’ve created
towns and streets and islands that exist only in my imagination, where to use a
real location might upset those living there, or bring down the value of their
property when I blow up their homes (not literally of course).
I
tend to edit as I go. My first task is to go over what I worked on the previous
day. I re-read and titivate. It’s an exercise that gets me back into ‘voice’
and also reminds me of what was on my mind when I last left off. From there I
continue writing, and then repeat the process the next day. Often when I get to
the end of the book I end up with an almost clean draft that I then submit to
my editor. It’s never perfect, but any rewriting after that tends to be minimal
to pick up hanging plot threads or major boo boo’s I might have missed.
And
the dreaded writer’s block? I can’t allow it to stall me. If I’m struggling to
write I switch and go and do something different. I’ll write something for a
blog, or a short story with different characters, or even mess about on
Facebook for a while. As long as I’m writing, the problem seems to resolve
itself and I’m able to return to my original piece with the heel-dragging demon
exorcised.
Best
advice for aspiring writers? Don’t think one day I’ll write a book, start
today. And keep on keeping on, one chewy mouthful of elephant flesh at a time.
Monday 31 July 2017
A Q & A With Matt Hilton
Q&A
with Matt Hilton
1. Q:
Your name sounds like a thriller writer’s name, is it real or a pen name?
A:
It’s real. I’m actually called Matthew, but that’s my Sunday name, or when I’m
ignoring my wife and she has to raise her voice. I’ve been confused with the TV
director (Coronation Street among other things), but we’re different people,
and with the ex-world champion boxer who does happen to be my cousin. I’m not
Paris Hilton’s brother and don’t own any hotels.
2. Q:
Your Joe Hunter books are set in the USA but you’re not American are you?
A:
No, I’m a Brit. I was born in Scotland, but have been raised most of my life in
Cumbria. I currently live on the Solway Firth with my wife Denise and two large
hairy dogs called Spooky and Akisha.
3. Q:
Is Joe Hunter an American?
A:
No, like me, Hunter is a Brit northerner, raised in Manchester who joined the
army, and was later drafted into an experimental counterterrorism group called
Arrowsake. After leaving the forces he fell into a vigilante mode in Manchester,
before heading off to the USA in search of his wayward missing half-brother,
and he has never come home. He now works for his pal Jared ‘Rink’ Rington’s PI
outfit based in Tampa, Florida, where he is usually called on when his
“particular set of skills” are required.
4. Q:
If you’re a Brit and Hunter’s a Brit, why make things difficult for yourself
and write books set in the USA?
A:
To be honest, although I see myself primarily as a crime fiction writer, I’m
not a big reader of British crime fiction. I grew up reading American
thrillers, so when I started writing I gravitated to what I knew best. Also,
because Hunter’s adventures tend to be slightly over the top action pieces, I
wanted an arena large and diverse enough to contain them and the USA offered
the choice of so many differing locations. Having Hunter as a Brit allows me to
use his ‘an Englishman abroad’ attitude to lace some humour into the books, and
to also cover for me when I get some of the details wrong – I can say Hunter
made the mistake not me.
5. Q:
You were a police constable before becoming a full-time writer; does your
police background help you write the stories?
A:
Not as such. I tend to steer away from police procedure and go for a more
action driven element to the plots. However, I do rely on my experience to put
myself in the shoes of those caught up in the action, and occasionally drop in
a few anecdotal stories from my police background – suitably disguised – to add
a little realism or dark humour.
6. Q:
The Hunter books are often compared to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books. Do you
think they’re a fair comparison?
A:
First off, it’s a huge honour to be mentioned in the same sentence as either
Child or Reacher, both of whom I admire deeply. I’m pretty sure that many of
Reacher’s readers will enjoy the Hunter books (but some may not). The
comparison is made because both our characters are ex-servicemen righting wrongs
in the US, but they’re totally different characters. Reacher is far more cerebral
than Hunter, and often thinks and plans before he punches anyone whereas Hunter
is more spontaneous and volatile and often falls into deep trouble because of
it. Reacher is a loner, but Hunter works with his close friend Rink and various
other supporting characters. The Reacher books tend to have mysteries to be
solved, whereas Hunter is usually thrust into an adventure. Saying that,
they’re both in the same genre, and will probably appeal to readers for that
same reason, as long as you come into them with no expectations.
7. Q:
Was Hunter influenced by the Jack Reacher character?
A:
No. Hunter is the amalgamation of various characters I read about while growing
up (Mack Bolan, Remo Williams, John Rambo, Saul Grisman, The Punisher, Joshua “Edge”
Hedges, and even Judge Dredd), plus characters I wrote about and developed
along the way in previous books. The similarities with Reacher could easily be
attributed to any of those characters too.
8. Q:
Can you tell us a little about your latest Joe Hunter book - Marked For Death -
and where it sits in the Hunter series?
A:
Sure. To date there have been eleven previous Hunter books, plus a bunch of
short stories. Marked For Death is book twelve, but can easily be read as a
standalone. I’ve kind of gone a little easy on Hunter in the last couple of
books, but with this one I’ve thrown him headlong into what I believe is his
most explosive adventure to date. When he intervenes in what first appears to
be a domestic dispute he has no idea what kind of trouble he’s getting himself
– and his friends – into, and is soon on the run from heavily armed killers and
caught up in a plot ripped direct from today’s headlines.
9.
Q: When you’re not writing, are you reading? And if so who are your favourite
authors and can you recommend some lesser-known authors your readers might also
like?
A:
I’m an avid reader, and tend to go for thrillers or horror books. I’m a huge
fan of John Connolly, Jack (J.A.) Kerley, Stephen Leather, Tom Wood, Mason
Cross, Sean Black, Dean Koontz, Adam Neville, and Robert Crais. Authors you
might not have come across yet but are some favourites of mine are Adrian
Magson, James Hilton (yes, he’s my brother but a damned good thriller writer),
Graham Smith, Mike Craven, Rod Glenn and Paul D Brazill – if you haven’t tried
any of those guys yet, you’re missing out. There are so many other great
authors I could mention, but would undoubtedly miss someone, so I’d best leave
it there.
10.
Q: What was the last book you read, the one you’re reading now, and what’s next
on your TBR pile?
A:
I’ve just finished John Connolly’s latest Charley Parker novel “A Game of
Ghosts”. Currently – believe it or not – I’m reading my brother James Hilton’s
latest Gunn Brothers thriller “Fight or Die”, and sitting tempting me on by
bedside table is Mike Craven’s latest Avison Fluke novel “Body Breaker”.
11. Q:
The Hunter books are often described as cinematic. Are there any plans for a
movie?
A:
I’d love to say yes. There has been some interest from TV and movie studios,
but as yet there are no firm deals on the table, so if Hollywood wants to give
me a call…
12. Q:
Let’s play the dream cast game. If a movie was made who would you cast in the
starring roles?
A:
It’s always dangerous for a writer to mention specific names as sometimes that
image isn’t the one in readers’ heads, but if pushed and was casting Marked For
Death I’d go with Max Martini as Joe Hunter, Duane “The Rock” Johnson as Rink,
Damon Wayans as Harvey Lucas, and Scarlett Johansson as Trey. Hopefully I
haven’t just kicked off another Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher debate.
13. Q:
So what can we expect next from Matt Hilton?
A:
Marked for Death is published 17th July 2017 by Canelo, and the
fourth book in another series I write – featuring Tess Grey and Nicolas ‘Po’
Villere – called Worst Fear will be published 29th September 2017 by
Severn House. I’m currently working on an idea for a new crime fiction series,
but it’s early days on that one yet, and also mulling over where to send Joe
Hunter next. I’m pretty sure that it will be somewhere dangerous.
14.
Q: What inspires you to write, and do you have any advice for wanna-be crime
fiction authors?
A:
I’ve been a writer for as far back as I can recall. I began as a small child at
school, and one of my earliest memories is reading Bambi, and also seeing the
movie of Watership Down. I immediately set out to write a story featuring baby
deer fighting to survive when loggers threatened their forest. After that my
next big inspiration came when I discovered that my favourite author – Willard
Price – had died and there’d be no more of his animal adventure books, so I
took it on myself to write a sequel called Antarctic Adventure. That I had a
polar bear and penguins sharing the ice alongside a humongous mutant walrus
doesn’t matter when you’re about ten years old. So, I could say that my
inspiration has come from wanting to emulate the writers I admired. I started
writing crime fiction after reading men’s adventure books and American
thrillers, so the same could be said for my adult career too.
In
regards advice, the best thing I can say is to follow your dream and never give
up. I first planned on being an author when I was very young and didn’t give
up, despite decades of trying and failing before I got my first publishing
agreement. Write what you know – by that go with a subject you’re familiar with
or have grown familiar with through research – and also write the kind of book
you’d love to read. That way your voice comes across more naturally, and also
you’ll enjoy the experience of writing your book more. I’m not saying anything
is wrong with taking lessons or creative writing courses, or any other route,
but the best thing I found for me was to write a lot and read a lot in your
chosen genre, and learn through the process of doing. Also settle down for the hard
slog because it takes stamina to finish a book, but when you do, boy was it
worth it.
15.
Thanks for taking part Matt.
A:
It was a real pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Tuesday 18 July 2017
Marked For Death
MARKED FOR DEATH - the brand new Joe Hunter thriller has just been published (17th July) by Canelo in eBook, and is available through all major digital platforms.
Joe Hunter has been Marked for Death in his most explosive outing to date
It should be a routine job. Joe Hunter and his associates are hired to provide security for an elite event in Miami. Wear a tux, stay professional, job done.
But things go wrong.
Hunter is drawn into what appears to be a domestic altercation. When he crosses the mysterious Mikhail however, he soon finds something altogether more sinister…
Before long this chance encounter has serious repercussions for Hunter and his friends. Good people are being killed. On the run, in the line of fire, the clock is ticking.
From the bars of Miami Beach to car chases and superyacht grenade battles, bestseller Matt Hilton dials up the intensity in this rip-roaring, set-piece filled thriller perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci and Stephen Leather.
Sunday 20 March 2016
The New Joe Hunter Thriller - No Safe Place
The new Joe Hunter thriller will soon be available in ebook, paperback and hardback editions. (Publication date is 31st May 2016)
This is the eleventh in the series for those who like to read their series' in order, but is pretty much a standalone adventure, that sees Hunter expanding his detective skills.
NO SAFE PLACE
From the best-selling author of "Dead Men's Dust"
The New Joe Hunter Thriller (Book 11)
Who does Andrew Clayton turn to for help when his wife has been murdered, his child is in danger,
and the police think he is responsible?
Despite his mistrust of Clayton, Joe Hunter accepts the job of protecting young Cole. But who is he protecting the boy from? And why?
It's clear Clayton knows more about his wife's killer, but he isn't saying. And when his silence places Cole
in the killer's sights there's...No Safe Place
The ebook edition is now available for pre-order at the low price of only £2.99, before it reverts to its full price after 31st May 2016, so now would be a good time to grab your copy via the link below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CO4E28U/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_Oe-6wb18GS0V2
This is the eleventh in the series for those who like to read their series' in order, but is pretty much a standalone adventure, that sees Hunter expanding his detective skills.
NO SAFE PLACE
From the best-selling author of "Dead Men's Dust"
The New Joe Hunter Thriller (Book 11)
Who does Andrew Clayton turn to for help when his wife has been murdered, his child is in danger,
and the police think he is responsible?
Despite his mistrust of Clayton, Joe Hunter accepts the job of protecting young Cole. But who is he protecting the boy from? And why?
It's clear Clayton knows more about his wife's killer, but he isn't saying. And when his silence places Cole
in the killer's sights there's...No Safe Place
The ebook edition is now available for pre-order at the low price of only £2.99, before it reverts to its full price after 31st May 2016, so now would be a good time to grab your copy via the link below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CO4E28U/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_Oe-6wb18GS0V2
Friday 27 November 2015
Make Blood Tracks to the Bookshop...
I will be launching BLOOD TRACKS the first in my new series from Severn House Publishers at a signing session at top independent bookshop Book Ends in Carlisle, Cumbria at 2pm on Saturday 5th December 2015, and invite everyone along wishing to get a signed/personalised copy for their collection.
BLOOD TRACKS - A Grey and Po Thriller from Matt Hilton
Introducing private investigator Tess Grey and Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas 'Po' Villere in the first of a brand-new series of fast-paced action thrillers. When her local District Attorney offers her a considerable sum of money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, private investigator Tess Grey is in no position to refuse. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. But Tess is not the only one trying to track Wynne down. Suarez's psychotic brother Hector has been hunting and butchering anyone who is a danger to his brother. Tess needs help and there's only one man she can turn to: Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere, known to all as Po. Po always gets his man, but he has never been teamed with a woman before. Both have their own agenda for taking on this case, and neither fully trusts the other. But of one thing they are sure: if they don't cover each other's backs, they are both going to die.
BLOOD TRACKS - A Grey and Po Thriller from Matt Hilton
Introducing private investigator Tess Grey and Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas 'Po' Villere in the first of a brand-new series of fast-paced action thrillers. When her local District Attorney offers her a considerable sum of money to track down state witness Crawford Wynne, private investigator Tess Grey is in no position to refuse. Wynne is one of the few men still alive who can help the State nail vicious drug lord Alberto Suarez. But Tess is not the only one trying to track Wynne down. Suarez's psychotic brother Hector has been hunting and butchering anyone who is a danger to his brother. Tess needs help and there's only one man she can turn to: Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas Villere, known to all as Po. Po always gets his man, but he has never been teamed with a woman before. Both have their own agenda for taking on this case, and neither fully trusts the other. But of one thing they are sure: if they don't cover each other's backs, they are both going to die.
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