Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers wins coveted Best Fiction Magazine Award

A few weeks ago, I posted here to say that my sister blogsite Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers was nominated in the Preditors and Editors readers' poll to find the favourite webzine on the Net. Now, I must say that the site is primarily aimed at readers of Horror and Dark Fiction, so TKnC was in a more favourable position than some of the other crime/noir sites (some of them that I would quite happily have voted for myself) due to the fact that a pretty large quota of TKnCs contributors are writing in the horror and dark fiction genres. Well, it's with great pride and with great gratitude that I announce that TK'n'C did indeed win the coveted first place position, beating off some pretty damn fantastic competition along the way. I don't claim that TKnC is better than they are, maybe it just had more voters. Have a look here for confirmation of the results:
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/votefictzine09.htm

Now then, I like to think of myself as a humble and self-effacing kind of guy, so I don't want to take all the praise or adulation. I want TKnC's contributors, its readers and supporters to bask for a moment in the glory. Without any of you TK'n'C would be a pretty boring place to visit.

Thanks to everyone who voted. Thanks also to Col Bury for all his hard work in making the site as great as it is. And thanks to Preditors and Editors for bestowing the award on TKnC.

The Business of Writing

I'm baaaaack!

maybe most of you didn't even notice I was gone, but I hope I've been conspicuous by my abscence since my last post. Judging by the hits on my blog it's been a busy old time while I've been off conducting the business of writing. I'm mildly chuffed: the last time I checked a couple months ago my sister blog over at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers was getting four times the hits as I was here, but then, all of a sudden, boom! I'd like to think that this rise in popularity is due to people becoming aware of my books and seeking out information etc, but I've a feeling that some of these visits have been spurred on by the success of TKnC and the great stories featured over there. Plus, there have been some great mentions in the blogosphere and a couple of neat interviews, so they've undoubtedly helped push people in this direction.

Anyway, I'm back, to let you know that I can really shake 'em down....(cue the music)

Couple of things to mention since I've been down to meet my publisher and agent et al in London this past week.

First off, the paperback edition of Dead Men's Dust is released in the UK on 1st October 2009, which as you all know is only nineteen days away. Keep an eye out for the new cover. I liked the black one that was on the hardback, but the new look cover is even better in my opinion. Keep your eyes peeled throughout London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool for an ad campaign on the back of buses, and also in select magazines etc. Also, if you visit Tesco's website there is a chance to win one of four laptop computers (details of all the above as they come in). There will be other great campaigns in other supermarkets and bookshops. At this moment in time I can't really say too much, but will reveal all as and when I'm able.

Those of you who had a go at Joe Hunter's shooting game (you can still have a go by clicking the title above and going to The Joe Hunter Vigilante website) will be pleased to know that a second chapter is on its way. The next game is a fighting game for your pleasure. So get you gloves on, limber up and get stuck in.

By the way, the same day as DMD comes out in paperback, I'll be at the Oldham Literary Festival appearing alongside bestselling author Mandasue Heller, so anyone in the north-west who wants to come along and meet me, have books signed etc, this is a great opportunity.

Then, only a fortnight later, the hardback edition of Judgement and Wrath launches in the UK. Keep your eyes peeled for some cool stuff in connection with Joe Hunter's second outing too. The book launches on 15th October 2009 and will be in all good bookshops. I will be holding an official launch at 6.30 pm, Thursday 22nd October 2009 at Waterstone's in Carlisle and will be signing readers' copies for them. Anyone who buys copies of the paperback of DMD can get them signed as well.

For American readers, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the US version of JAW next spring, but there will be stores in the US ordering in copies of the UK edition if you can't wait.

I'm obviously hoping that everyone loves JAW as much as I do and find Dantalion as worthy a foe for Joe Hunter as Tubal Cain was in the first book.

Other news: For Italian readers, don't forget that L'inseguitore is released on 29th September 2009 by Longanesi (only a fortnight away).

Der Nochen Sammler will be released by Heyne in February 2010 for the german market.

Bulgarian and Romanian editions will follow shortly (no other details at time of writing).

Plus, JAW will be coming to Germany some time next year or early 2011.

I'll be attending Bouchercon in Indianapolis this year and will be on a panel talking about the readers' and authors' fascination with Serial Killers. I think I'm going to have to get back in Tubal Cain's head for a short while, I just hope they don't leave any silver wear lying around or there could be an international incident!!

Watch out for me in Leeds and York libraries where I'll be appearing alongside bestselling author Sophie Hannah (details in the sidebar Where To meet Matt).

Anyone want a few more hints about JAW or Dantalion, or indeed book three, Slash and Burn, just let me know via the comments and I'll pull something together for you.

Anyhoo,

back to the editing of book 5.

Keep on Keeping on folks

Matt

http://www.joehuntervigilante.com/

http://matthiltonbooks.com/

http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/

Top TRIO at TKnC

http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/

As a service to other aspring authors, I started my sister blog Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers to showcase peoples' hidden talents and to encourage feedback and criticism to help those authors out. TK'n'C has succeeded way beyond my early expectations (it gets more hits than my own blog goddamnit!) and has attracted some amazing new writers and their work.

Today I have posted three new tales from the pens of Eric Beetner, Christopher Grant and Lee Hughes. Why not skip on over via the link and see what I'm talking about.

The back catalogue is awesome as well, so why not stay awhile?

Matt