Dead Men's Dust 99p - It's a Steal!

GREAT NEWS! The first Joe Hunter thriller - Dead Men's Dust - is now available in eBook from Amazon at the amazing price of 99p. This low price will last until the end of September only, so don't dilly-dally.

If you haven't got your copy yet, grab one now while it's so cheap. Please tell your friends who might not give an untried series a go at the usual higher price. Help put Joe Hunter in the hearts and minds of readers.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Mens-Dust-Hunter-ebook/dp/B002V092LA/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Tales From The Fluffy Navel Raises It's Bemused Head.

Uh, is it that long since I updated my blog?

I guess it is.

So what's to report?

Nothing major, except to say that Joe Hunter is still striding solidly on, as am I.

I've a couple of events upcoming in the next few months, where I hope to see/meet some of you along the way.

I'll be at Bouchercon in Albany this September, and am also attending the inaugural Iceland Noir event in Reykjavik in November. I've always been fascinated with iceland as a country, and am looking forward to visiting, and have of course booked to go on a northern lights tour. With luck atmospheric conditions will be just right and I'll get to see a spectacle of nature.

In the UK, Joe Hunter 8 - Rules of Honour - has recently been published in paperback format and I've been doing the rounds of publicity on that one. In the USA, book 5 - Blood and Ashes - is doing well I believe. The next book, Dead Men's Harvest, which sees the return of a foe from Hunter's past is due a late October release, and I look forward to hearing how readers enjoy the book.

For British readers eagerly awaiting the next Hunter novel, book 9 - The Lawless Kind - will be released in hardback and ebook at the end of January 2014. Sounds a long way off, but, hey, it's September tomorrow already. Where do the days, weeks and months go to? I've had my head down and fingers tapping and hit the 80K mark on my latest work in progress. When I'm absorbed in my writing I often don't notice the passage of time, but still. This year is flying past.

Right, I'm off back to the WIP, another planned 20K words to get on with. So, if you don't hear from me soon, that's the reason.

Joe Hunter is Hot Property These Days

For Joe Hunter fans, I've a few things to bring to your notice:

First up is that an original unpublished Joe Hunter story - HOT PROPERTY - is included in the summer edition (issue 40) of The Strand magazine, alongside an interview with Len Deighton, and brand new fiction from Michael Palmer, John Floyd, Jonathan Rabb, and an unpublished Joseph Heller (Catch 22) story.

This Joe Hunter story was specially written on request of the magazine and comes with an original diagram by (and copyrighted to) Michael Caroll. In it Joe Hunter pays a visit to the home of a porn movie director to take away his star project. As is the norm for Hunter, things heat up rapidly.

copyright Michael Caroll 'Hot Property' from issue 40 The Strand magazine

You can find out more about The Strand magazine, and even order a copy right here:
http://www.strandmag.com/Issue-40-of-the-Strand-with-an-unpublished-Joseph-Heller-story_p_7708.html

Issue 40 The Strand Magazine

For those of you waiting for the UK paperback edition of Joe Hunter 8 - RULES OF HONOUR - it goes on general sale tomorrow, 1st August 2013

Rules of Honour - Joe Hunter 8

In the USA, Blood and Ashes (Joe Hunter 5) is now available in paperback with a terrific new pulpy look. On sale where all good books are sold. I'be been doing a number of radio interviews and blog interviews, so listen/watch out for me popping up soon. The next Joe Hunter book to hit the USA will be as soon as October 30th this year. Dead Men's Harvest also has a smashing pulpy feel to the cover art.

OUT NOW IN THE USA

AVAILABLE IN THE USA OCTOBER 30th

Name Change and New Look Cover...

Some time back I wrote and published a young adult fantasy ebook called 'Deliver us from Evil' under the pen name of J A Norton. Well, I've since redesigned the book, updating it and adding a new cover, and hopefully making it a more superior product.

The ebook is now available via Kindle under the new title 'Mark Darrow and the Stealer of Souls' by Matt Hilton.

It is written in the tradition of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and the Darren Shan books, and is aimed at older children, young adults, or indeed adults who retain the spirit of magic and adventure.



Here's the link to Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DYB7C4Y



Here's the link to Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DYB7C4Y

Remember don't buy it if you already have the previous edition called Deliver Us From Evil.

Product description:

In the tradition of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Darren Shan...



There is something strange going on in Larchwood, but for Mark Darrow, Shax and Amy, things are about to get stranger, and more frightening.

Skathalos the Ravager has designs on the Earth, intending taking it as his own domain, and bringing it to ruin the way he has the hidden realm he holds under his evil rule. When Shax is snatched by Skathalos it's down to Mark and Amy, and a collie dog called Rip - who is not all he seems to be - to enter the forbidding realm to save their friend and an entire race of beings from evil.



Action, adventure, and terror await the trio along a path fraught with danger and terrible creatures: Scatters, Harpies, Rock Slugs, and an army of walking creatures of dust and clay. But they are nothing compared to the monstrous Firbolg giants, The Wall of Souls, or the terrifying might of Skathalos - a demon too ferocious to remain in Hell. But face them Mark and Amy must, if they are to save Shax, the Tuatha people, and maybe even the entire Earth from the impending End of All Days.



Suggested reading age 11+

Pulp Up This Volume - Blood and Ashes now out in the USA

Blood and Ashes - Joe Hunter 5 - is now on general release in paperback in the USA, published by William Morrow and Co (Harper Collins). I really love the pulpy new cover - what do you think?


How does one man stay alive with a dozen assassins targeting him?
Ex-soldier Joe Hunter once employed his killer instincts for Don Griffiths. Together, they brought down extremist groups and domestic terrorists before they could implement their destructive plans against the country. It was a job that nearly cost Hunter his life—and his humanity. So he severed all ties with Griffiths.
But when Griffiths' daughter is murdered and the rest of his family is targeted by supporters of Carswell Hicks, an enemy from his past and long believed to be dead, Hunter knows he can't stand by and let innocent people get hurt. Agreeing to help Griffiths protect his family, Hunter sets out on a suicide mission—for a dozen merciless killers are bent on avenging a dead man . . .

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062225286/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_BzAYrb0W15HVK

Recap for aspiring authors.

I'm often get asked by aspiring authors for advice on getting published. This is a piece that I wrote some time back, but it's still pertinent advice if anyone is still looking for a head's up...

There's a process for most fiction authors and it generally runs the same course. Some people are lucky in that they get a contract on an idea and a few chapters, but it's not usually the norm. It's best to get your full book written before you even start to look for an agent or publisher, as being 'untested' they will want to check that you have the stamina to write a full novel and can carry your idea through to the end. A book these days usually runs anywhere from 80,000 to 130,000 words, and you maybe want to get the book to those kinds of proportions before you begin seeking representation or publishing.
There's no right or wrong way to write. Some meticulously plan and plot the book out before writing it, others, like me, write from the seat of the pants. I just have an idea and go with it and see where I'm going to end up. BTW, my books tend to run at about 90,000 words (for comparison).
When your book is ready to start sending out, my advice is to seek representation from an agent. Now this is the difficult bit. Agents act as middle men and clearing houses for publishers these days, and to be taken on by an agent is a massive step, almost as difficult as getting a contracted deal from a publisher. Very few publishers accept submissions directly, and use the agent to send them only the best. When your book is written, go back over it with a fine tooth-comb and edit it and sort out any typos or inconsistencies. Get someone else that you trust to also read it, but also someone who will tell you the truth if you have any weaknesses or hanging plot lines (your family and best friends tend to tell you only good things which doesn't really help).
When that is done and you've made it the best you can, start checking out agents who might be interested in your style of book. The bible for this is the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook which lists all the reputable agencies and contact details. Also check on the internet and look at authors you admire and find out who their agent is. It is always better to have a name to send your book to rather than just sending it to the agency itself, as it shows you've taken time to do your research.
When you have an idea of who might be interested check their submission guidelines (often they're on their websites or in the fore mentioned WAA yearbook). The industry standard tends to be that you must mail them an intro pack. This comes with an introductory letter, in which you briefly describe your book, and any plans you have for follow ups (they're looking for writers who have more than one book in them) as well as the approximate word count, followed by a brief bio of yourself. Say for example that  you're an ex soldier. Mention that in your intro letter as it is your USP (unique selling point) particularly if your book involves soldiers/military etc as it shows you have the know how. Also mention other writers you think your book may be targeted towards to attract some of their readers. e.g. "I believe my book is in a similar style to that of Lee Child and Matt Hilton etc" as it then helps them think of their target audience and marketing strategies very early on. Also you will need to include a short synopsis of your book - usually a one side A4 sheet - with all the salient points and characters from your book included. Lastly you send the first 3 chapters or approximately 30,000 words of the beginning of your book. Again there's a standard in that it must be on A4 paper, double spaced with a clear margin, and on only one side of the paper (black ink). This is to allow editing and notes as early on as this. If you don't stick to that format they'll probably just bin your submission without looking at it. It's always a good idea to include your contact details in your intro letter, but also put them on the first page of your book incase the letter and book get separated. Also include a SAE for return of your pack if they don't want it (courtesy is everything).
Usually you can expect to wait a few weeks before you hear anything. Don't be disheartened if you are rejected, just move on to the next agent on your list. Rejection is par for the course, but who knows, you might strike it lucky early on. If there's any feedback take it on board. If an agent requests to see your full book you've achieved a massive first step. Be prepared to work hard. They'll probably ask for changes - but they're the experts and know what the publishers want so go with it. If you become precious about your book they might find you awkward to work with and not take you on. There's usually a test period of a month or two before they will agree to represent you and in this time they can still turn you down.

A few pointers:
Avoid anyone who asks you for money. Some agents do charge a reading fee, but most don't. They make their money (commission at about 10 -15 percent) when they sell your book. Anyone raving about your book who then asks for money are cowboys. Sadly there's a lot of them out there. Don't be caught out by flashy websites and graphics, and big promises. If in doubt, Google them and see what others are saying about them. Usually frauds are exposed this way, and yet still some aspiring/desperate authors end up handing over piles of money to them with no book deal at the end of it.
Avoid vanity publishers. These are the companies who rave about your book (without an agent) and say they'll print it for a fee - usually £thousands - and all you get is a few poorly printed books with no marketing or anything. You often see them advertising in the backs of newspapers or popping up on the website with such claims as 'We want your book' or 'We'll print Your book' and such like. Criminals, that's what they are.
Ebooks or print on demand is a new way of publishing yourself, but it's always best to go the traditional route first.
I think that's all for now. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your book on the stands.
Matt Hilton

What's Occurring?

There is little to report from Hiltonia at this time, other than that I'm working on a standalone novel and it's too early to spread any news about it: it's still at that stage where it might be ditched, so the least said the better right now.

But, there are a couple things worthy of mention coming up if you are a reader of my books.

In June The Strand magazine will be publishing a never-before-seen never-before-published Joe Hunter short story called 'Hot Property'. The magazine will be available throughout the USA and also via download. More news on this as the time nears.

I'm currently reading through submissions for ACTION: Pulse Pounding tales Volume 2, with a view to having the ebook ready some time in June, and I'll update on its progress nearer the time. If you'd like to keep up to speed on this project though you can follow this link to APPT's Facebook page for up to the minute news as it happens http://www.facebook.com/ActionPulsePoundingTales?fref=ts

'Blood And Ashes' - Joe Hunter 5 is due for a mid-June release in the USA. On the back of it I will be doing a radio relay week commencing 25th June, so listen out for me if I hit any of your local stations.

Lastly I'll be at this years CRIMEFEST at Bristol 29th May 'til June 1st and hope to see some of you there.