Are the days of the blog numbered? Or is it that those people I once followed with keen interest have moved on to other more important projects in their lives? I would like to think that is the case because there was a lot of talented and interesting people out there, and I enjoyed following their literary adventures on a day to day basis.
This thought was prompted when I took a scan through the blogs that I followed and found a lot of them hadn't been updated for months, or had disappeared all together. Now, in some ways I'm guilty of apathy towards my blog, and there is a specific reason for it. I started this blog to chronicle my adventures in publishing. Now that was all well and good in the early days when everything about the process was new and fresh and not a little daunting. Yet it feels now that I'm beginning to rehash old thoughts and ideas, and I'm not sure that is what my readers want to read. Either that, or those who once followed my tales and advice have also moved on and are now past the kind of advice that I was able to offer.
Looking back over the last year, I've noticed that many of the blogs I followed, my own included, have become nothing more than marketing devices. Everyone has a book to sell it seems. I don't want my blog to fall into the trap of simply pimping my latest book - although it's obviously somewhere where anyone interested in my writing might come to find information on my latest works - and am in the process of trying to figure out where i want to take my blog next.
OK, I won't be absconding to wordpress (tried it, didn't work out), but over the next few weeks i hope to relaunch my blog so that it's a bit more interesting than "Hey! Here's my latest book". Watch this space....
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Twas Two Nights Before Christmas - Redux
Twas Two Nights Before Christmas
A poem featuring Joe Hunter
Twas two nights before Christmas, when all through the house the killer was stirring, the heartless louse. The stocking was pulled over his head with care, in hopes no one would know him if they seen him there.
The children were tied up in their beds, while chloroform fumes danced in their heads. And Mamma with her ‘kerchief employed as a gag, had just lost her mind after her husband was whacked! When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, the killer sprang from her body to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash, tugging up his zipper as he threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to his worried eyes should appear, but a jet black Porsche, that should not have been there.
With a big ol’ driver, so lively and quick, he knew in a moment it must be that Rink. More rapid than an eagle his partner came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called the killer by name! "Now killer! Now, murderer! Now, rapist, I’m fixing, on coming on, stupid, to give you a Blitzing!” To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall the killer should dash away or else he would fall!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-door Joe Hunter he flew, with his hand full of gun, and a KABAR too. And then, in a twinkling, the killer heard the clicks, the racking and chambering of the SIG-Sauer P226.
As he drew in his head, and was turning around, through the front window Hunter came with a bound. He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all spotted with glass and with blood.
A bundle of hurt Hunter brought to this place, and he looked like the Grim Reaper, with his KABAR raised. His eyes-how they twinkled, his grim smile so scary! He brought up his gun, but he was in no hurry! His tight-lipped mouth was drawn up like a bow, as he unloaded the SIG like a flurry of snow.
There was a stump of an arm and a scatter of teeth, and the blood it encircled the killer’s head like a wreath. He had a wound in his face and more in his belly, where his intestines were pulped like a bowlful of jelly! He was shuddering and pumping, the guts right out his self, Hunter laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself!
A round through the eye and a chunk from his head, soon told Hunter that the killer was dead. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and pulled down the stocking, to identify the jerk. And spotting the prison tattoo aside the killer’s nose, he gave a nod, and he pulled out his phone!
He sprang to the Porsche, and Rink gave it throttle, and away they flew like the cork from a bottle. No one heard Hunter exclaim, ‘ere they drove out of sight, "Hi, Walter, a clean up crew’s required tonight!"
Based on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ a poem by Clement Moore
A poem featuring Joe Hunter
Twas two nights before Christmas, when all through the house the killer was stirring, the heartless louse. The stocking was pulled over his head with care, in hopes no one would know him if they seen him there.
The children were tied up in their beds, while chloroform fumes danced in their heads. And Mamma with her ‘kerchief employed as a gag, had just lost her mind after her husband was whacked! When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, the killer sprang from her body to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash, tugging up his zipper as he threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to his worried eyes should appear, but a jet black Porsche, that should not have been there.
With a big ol’ driver, so lively and quick, he knew in a moment it must be that Rink. More rapid than an eagle his partner came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called the killer by name! "Now killer! Now, murderer! Now, rapist, I’m fixing, on coming on, stupid, to give you a Blitzing!” To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall the killer should dash away or else he would fall!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-door Joe Hunter he flew, with his hand full of gun, and a KABAR too. And then, in a twinkling, the killer heard the clicks, the racking and chambering of the SIG-Sauer P226.
As he drew in his head, and was turning around, through the front window Hunter came with a bound. He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all spotted with glass and with blood.
A bundle of hurt Hunter brought to this place, and he looked like the Grim Reaper, with his KABAR raised. His eyes-how they twinkled, his grim smile so scary! He brought up his gun, but he was in no hurry! His tight-lipped mouth was drawn up like a bow, as he unloaded the SIG like a flurry of snow.
There was a stump of an arm and a scatter of teeth, and the blood it encircled the killer’s head like a wreath. He had a wound in his face and more in his belly, where his intestines were pulped like a bowlful of jelly! He was shuddering and pumping, the guts right out his self, Hunter laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself!
A round through the eye and a chunk from his head, soon told Hunter that the killer was dead. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and pulled down the stocking, to identify the jerk. And spotting the prison tattoo aside the killer’s nose, he gave a nod, and he pulled out his phone!
He sprang to the Porsche, and Rink gave it throttle, and away they flew like the cork from a bottle. No one heard Hunter exclaim, ‘ere they drove out of sight, "Hi, Walter, a clean up crew’s required tonight!"
Based on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ a poem by Clement Moore
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Some Rules May Never Be Broken...
I was recently tagged in a blog "meme" called The Next Big Thing by Dean Crawford, best selling author of the Ethan Warner thrillers http://deancrawfordbooks.blogspot.co.uk/
So, here's my question and answer session!
What is the title of your next book?
It is the eighth in my Joe Hunter thriller series and is called 'Rules of Honour'.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Being a lifelong martial artist, I've always had a fascination with the mind set of the Samurai warrior, and some of the rules of conduct they followed, and one of those was the intriguing 'burden of obligation' or 'Giri'. For some time, some of my readers have been calling out for a tale centred upon Hunter's brother-in-arms, Jared 'Rink' Rington, and i felt the time was right to investigate Rink's past. But more than that, i wanted to involve Rink's family - being part Japanese I couldn't resist including 'Giri', but in a story that readers might find different to others they'd read. It was tempting to involve the yakuza and ninja and stuff, but I resisted.
What genre does your book fall under?
Crime/action thriller.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
There is some interest being shown by various TV and movie companies, but to date no one has slapped a deal on the table, but I remain hopeful. I always worry about naming actors, because I don't want to place an image in a readers mind. They might not agree with my choices and could indeed turn them off the idea, but, hey, ho. In for a penny, in for a pound, eh? For Joe Hunter I'd go with Max Martini, for Rink it'd have to be Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Some rules may never be broken....
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I am represented by London based agent Luigi Bonomi of Luigi Bonomi Associates, and in New York by George Lucas of Inkwell Management. For translation rights I'm represented by ILA of London, and for movie/TV rights I'm with Knight hall Agency Ltd. The Joe Hunter thrillers are published internationally by Hodder and Stoughton and by Harper Collins in the USA.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Usually it takes around three months to write the first rough draft, and then a further three months or so to tidy it up and do corrections. i usually aim to complete two books per year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not fully sure. My books are often compared with those of Lee Child, Robert Crais, or closer to home to Andy Mcnab or Chris Ryan. personally I think they have as many differences as they have similarities. But I'm not complaining, I'm a fan of all the aforementioned and very happy to be mentioned in any of their company.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
After the previous Joe hunter thriller - No Going back - I received some great reviews and feedback but some readers bemoaned the fact that Rink was a minor player in the book. I decided to pay back my readers' interest in Rink in giving him a huge part in Rules of Honour. It's very much a Rink book, as narrated by Hunter.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It is a story that looks at how events of the past can have repercussions on the here and now, and also looks into a little known facet of WW2 history that is deemed shameful now.
I'm now supposed to tag five more authors to continue this meme. I'm not the type to do so unsolicited, but if five of my friends should like to continue then please do so.
So, here's my question and answer session!
What is the title of your next book?
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Being a lifelong martial artist, I've always had a fascination with the mind set of the Samurai warrior, and some of the rules of conduct they followed, and one of those was the intriguing 'burden of obligation' or 'Giri'. For some time, some of my readers have been calling out for a tale centred upon Hunter's brother-in-arms, Jared 'Rink' Rington, and i felt the time was right to investigate Rink's past. But more than that, i wanted to involve Rink's family - being part Japanese I couldn't resist including 'Giri', but in a story that readers might find different to others they'd read. It was tempting to involve the yakuza and ninja and stuff, but I resisted.
What genre does your book fall under?
Crime/action thriller.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
There is some interest being shown by various TV and movie companies, but to date no one has slapped a deal on the table, but I remain hopeful. I always worry about naming actors, because I don't want to place an image in a readers mind. They might not agree with my choices and could indeed turn them off the idea, but, hey, ho. In for a penny, in for a pound, eh? For Joe Hunter I'd go with Max Martini, for Rink it'd have to be Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Some rules may never be broken....
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I am represented by London based agent Luigi Bonomi of Luigi Bonomi Associates, and in New York by George Lucas of Inkwell Management. For translation rights I'm represented by ILA of London, and for movie/TV rights I'm with Knight hall Agency Ltd. The Joe Hunter thrillers are published internationally by Hodder and Stoughton and by Harper Collins in the USA.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Usually it takes around three months to write the first rough draft, and then a further three months or so to tidy it up and do corrections. i usually aim to complete two books per year.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not fully sure. My books are often compared with those of Lee Child, Robert Crais, or closer to home to Andy Mcnab or Chris Ryan. personally I think they have as many differences as they have similarities. But I'm not complaining, I'm a fan of all the aforementioned and very happy to be mentioned in any of their company.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
After the previous Joe hunter thriller - No Going back - I received some great reviews and feedback but some readers bemoaned the fact that Rink was a minor player in the book. I decided to pay back my readers' interest in Rink in giving him a huge part in Rules of Honour. It's very much a Rink book, as narrated by Hunter.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It is a story that looks at how events of the past can have repercussions on the here and now, and also looks into a little known facet of WW2 history that is deemed shameful now.
I'm now supposed to tag five more authors to continue this meme. I'm not the type to do so unsolicited, but if five of my friends should like to continue then please do so.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
His name means WAR (and it's FREE)
FREE for your Kindles. 'Darkest Hour' is a blend of monsters and warfare. Think 'Van Helsing meets 'Saving Private Ryan'.http://www.amazon.co.uk/
For halloween I'm giving away 'Darkest Hour' absolutely FREE for Kindle readers. This is not Joe Hunter. It's Ludis Kristaps and his name means WAR.
For US readers, simply follow the link, then change co.uk to .com in the search bar to take it to your site.
Enjoy!
For halloween I'm giving away 'Darkest Hour' absolutely FREE for Kindle readers. This is not Joe Hunter. It's Ludis Kristaps and his name means WAR.
For US readers, simply follow the link, then change co.uk to .com in the search bar to take it to your site.
Enjoy!
Saturday, 13 October 2012
CSI Portsmouth 3rd November
CSI Portsmouth 2012 where crime fiction meets crime fact
Saturday 3 November 2012 Portsmouth, England
Meet and mingle with top selling crime authors and police and forensic crime experts; hear how the authors write their popular crime novels, find out how much they draw on real life experiences and experts, learn about what really happens at a crime scene, how a fire investigation is worked, hear about cyber crime and internet stalking, see how the fingerprint bureau works, have your fingerprints taken, and much, much more.
This will be the third year of CSI Portsmouth and it promises to be an even more exciting and informative event than ever. Join best selling crime authors Stephen Booth, Ann Cleeves, Matt Hilton and Pauline Rowson along with police and forensic experts at CSI Portsmouth 3 November 2012 for a thrilling event where crime fiction meets crime fiction. Come for the morning or the afternoon or make a day of it.
Saturday 3 November 2012
John Pounds Centre,
Queen Street, Portsmouth, England
10am – 4.30pm
Tickets cost £6.00 per panel or £10 for the day with £3.00 redeemable against the purchase of a book bought at the event and £1.00 discount for Portsmouth Library Members. (You can join when you purchase your ticket if not an existing member.)
Call the Box Office on 023 9268 8037 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
CSI Portsmouth Morning Programme
10am to 12.30pmJoin International best selling authors Stephen Booth, Matt Hilton and Pauline Rowson with Crime Scene Manager Co-ordinator Carolyn Lovell from Hampshire Police, DC Terry Fitzjohn, Hampshire Police, Crime Scene Fire Investigator, and Andy Earl Hampshire Fire and Rescue of the Arson Task Force.
CSI Portsmouth Afternoon Programme
2pm to 4.30pm
Join International best selling authors Ann Cleeves and Pauline Rowson with Adrian Fretter, Hampshire Police Hi Tech Crime Unit, Professor Bran Nicol University of Surrey, an expert on stalking culture and Internet Stalking and Dr Mark Button from the University of Portsmouth, an expert on fraud.
(Please note the change to the advertised programme - Roger Ellory has unfortunately had to withdraw from the event.)
Throughout the day:
- Have your fingerprints taken and pressed into a key ring as a keepsake
- Visit the bookshop provided at the event by The Hayling Island Bookshop
- Talk to the authors and get signed copies
- Visit the Scene of Crime provided by students on the Forensic Science Course at South Downs College
Meet the Authors
Stephen Booth is the creator of DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry who appear in twelve novels set in the atmospheric Peak District. Winner of a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, the Cooper & Fry series is published all around the world, and has been translated into many languages.
From the North East of England Ann Cleeves is the author of the Vera series of crime novels which have been adapted into the popular ITV series starring Brenda Blethyn and David Leon, broadcast in the UK, and sold worldwide. An adaptation of Red Bones, one of her Shetland mysteries, is currently in preparation for television. Her books have been translated into twenty languages.
In 2008 Matt Hilton secured a record-breaking 5 book deal for his Joe Hunter series. Since then he has had a 5 book deal in the USA, a further 4 book deal in the UK and translations in Germany, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. His debut novel, Dead Men's Dust, reached Number 11 in the Sunday Times bestseller list. A former cop Matt also worked for the private security industry and is a high ranking Martial Artist.
Pauline Rowson is the author of the popular marine mystery crime novels featuring DI Andy Horton set in the Solent area. Highly acclaimed in the USA and the UK they have been hailed as the 'Best of British Crime Fiction’ and have been translated into several languages.
Meet the Experts
Carolyn Lovell has a BSc in Biology (Southbank University) and an MSc in Forensic Archaeology (Bournemouth University). As part of her dissertation, Carolyn studied how the decomposition of pigs affected the forensic recovery of finger marks in blood on items within the grave environment. Carolyn has worked for Hampshire Constabulary for over 17 years, starting out as a Crime Scene Investigator. For the past 12 years Carolyn has had the role of Crime Scene Manager/Coordinator, managing numerous serious and major crime scenes. Carolyn currently manages the training and performance of the Crime Scene Investigators along with the Arson Task Force, and provides forensic consultancy advice and training to external agencies.
DC Fitzjohn works with the Hampshire Police Arson Task Force team. He is a trained Crime Scene and Fire Investigator. During investigations, DC Fitzjohn links in with the Police investigating officers, CID and Major Crime Teams to review and support the investigation of serious and life endangering fires. The link is invaluable as both agencies work very hard to identify arrest and convict arsonists. DC Fitzjohn’s role also involves monitoring arson offences within the county, identifying patterns and gathering intelligence.
Watch Manager Andy Earl has worked for the Fire Service for 23 years as a Firefighter and then Crew Manager. He joined the Arson Task Force in 2009 as a Fire Investigation Officer where his primary roll is to carry out ‘Cause and Origin’ Fire Investigations in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary Crime Scene Investigators.
Adrian Fretter has worked for Hampshire Police for 23 years. He was appointed to CID in 1996 has worked in the incident room during the Glenda Hoskins and Ann Fidler murder and attempted murder investigation and been an informant handler. In 2006 he joined the High Tech Crime Unit where the ever changing technologies present a major challenge.
Professor Bran Nicol is Professor of English Literature at the University of Surrey, having previously worked at the University of Portsmouth. His research interests include crime culture, and the way that crime in literature and cinema reflects and shapes cultural anxieties and desires. His book, Stalking saw him being shortlisted for the 2007 Times Higher Young Academic Author of the Year award, and has been translated into Italian, Korean, and Japanese. He is an expert on stalking culture and has appeared on many radio programmes and featured in the documentary Stalked - to Death, for the Irish channel, TV 3. Plus other experts to be announced.
Dr Mark Button is Director of the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies, a Reader in Criminology and Associate Head Curriculum at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth. Mark has written extensively on counter fraud and private policing issues, publishing many articles, chapters and completing five books with one forthcoming. He has undertaken research on behalf of the National Fraud Authority, ACPO, Department for International Development, Acromas and PKF to name some. Mark is also Head of Secretariat of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board. Before joining the University of Portsmouth he was a Research Assistant to the Rt Hon Bruce George MP specialising in policing, security and home affairs issues. Mark completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Exeter, his Masters at the University of Warwick and his Doctorate at the London School of Economics.
CSI Portsmouth 2012 where crime fiction meets crime fact
Date: Saturday 3 November 2012
Time: 10am – 4.30pm
Where: John Pounds Centre, Queens Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3HN
Access to the centre is through the arch way on Queen St.
How to get there
By CarTake the M275 into Portsmouth and follow the brown signs for 'Historic Waterfront'. Queen Street is the main road that leads down to the Historic Dockyard.
By train
Alight at Portsmouth Harbour and on leaving the station head towards the Historic Dockyard and turn north into Queen Street. The John Pounds Centre is located half way down.
By Bus
Many different routes from all over the city stop close by. Portsmouth City Council produces a public transport map. Telephone 023 9283 4092 or visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk and click on Residents, Getting Around, Bus for a free copy.
CSI Portsmouth is part of Portsmouth Bookfest a festival of popular literature organised by The Hayling Island Bookshop and Portsmouth City Council and runs from October 22 to 3 November. Its aim is to promote reading for pleasure and enthusiasm for literature in the city of Portsmouth.
Tickets
Tickets cost £6 per panel or £10 for the day with £3.00 redeemable against the purchase of a book bought at the event and £1.00 discount for Portsmouth Library Members. (You can join when you purchase your ticket if not an existing member.)Call 023 9268 8037 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Alternatively tickets can be purchased from The Hayling Island Bookshop, 34 Mengham Road, Hayling Ilsand PO11 9BL Telephone: 023 9246 6620 www.haylingislandbookshop.co.uk Monday to Saturday
Portsmouth City Council Library ( Southsea Library is open Monday- Sunday)
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is one of Britain's favourite waterfront destination. Its irresistible mix of history and heritage, specialist shopping, lively arts, great restaurants and bars and a programme of year round events make it a popular destination, while the beautiful scenic coast of the Isle of Wight is just a short trip across the Solent. Hope you can join us for CSI Portsmouth 2012 on Saturday 3 November 2012.If you'd like to sign up for the newsletter to be kept informed of this event please visitwww.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
JUDGMENT TIME
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061718262/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_3zcCqb13VY6T4
JUDGMENT AND WRATH is available now in mass market paperback format in the USA
JUDGMENT AND WRATH is available now in mass market paperback format in the USA
'Bone Powder'
I'm chuffed to find that the Romanian translation of the first Joe Hunter thriller - Dead Men's Dust - has finally been released by RAO Publishing under the title 'Pulbere De Oase' (literally translated as "Bone Powder") with a terrifically moody cover. For more details see the RAO website here: http://www.raobooks.com/raobooks_autori_detalii.php?a_id=3588
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