IMPROMPTU INTERVIEW AT HARROGATE...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsP7ouqc1i8

HARROGATE HERE WE COME...

Way too much to catch up on over the last year, so just a quick post to say Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival beckons and I'm honoured to be reading a short story along with nine other far more talented authors at Harrogate's first ever 'Noir at the Bar'. I'll also be 'starring' in the North v South crime writers' footy match. Should be fun. Hope to see you there.

Guest post: Col Bury – Keep Dreaming

Guest post: Col Bury – Keep Dreaming

MY KIND OF JUSTICE - BOOK LAUNCH & PRE-ORDER DETAILS...

At long last the launch of my debut crime novel MY KIND OF JUSTICE is upon us. I'm naturally both nervous and excited. A big thank you to Urmston Bookshop for helping with the arrangements and to Matt Hilton for asking the questions. Here are the details...
(Note: the launch is at Urmston Library, not the bookshop.)

It would be great to see you there, but if you can't make it then here are some links to order...

Amazon UK (ebook & print)     


Amazon US  (ebook & print)    


Caffeine Nights Publishing (print)


Kobo (ebook)

Cover and Blurb of Debut Novel, MY KIND OF JUSTICE - out June 2015.

Out June 2015 via Caffeine Nights Publishing

Newly-appointed DI Jack Striker, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, has a dark secret, one that would land him in prison. 
Striker’s first case seems a straight-forward gang-on-gang slaying, until a notorious youth is found hanged. Before any chance to investigate, bodies begin stacking-up.
With the hot breath of the brass burning his neck, including hard-faced DCI Maria Cunningham who’s onto him, Striker knows this case will make or break him. 
The media-dubbed ‘Hoodie Hunter’ mixes MO’s, leaving few leads, and Striker recognises the work of a highly-skilled vigilante killer.
When Striker’s nephew is put into a coma, it becomes personal. Desperate, he runs an unofficial op’ with trusty colleagues, stunning DC Lauren Collinge and un-PC DC Eric Bardsley, placed in the line of fire.
The killer’s trail leads Striker into his own shady past, but will he catch the Hoodie Hunter before he or a colleague becomes the next victim?

If you can't wait till June, DI Jack Striker and the Hoodie Hunter feature in the short story, MOPPING UP in the ebook collection, THE COPS OF MANCHESTER. 

I'm over at BRIT GRIT ALLEY... "SEEKING THAT VALIDATION OF A ‘YES’: THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION…"

Noir-man, writer extraordinaire and all-round good egg (or all-oval), who is everywhere all the time, Paul D. Brazill kindly asked me to share my thoughts on how I (finally) got published. So, I'm over at the salubrious(ish!) BGA spilling the beans...

IT'S BEEN A LONG OLD JOURNEY AND I'VE FINALLY REACHED THE START...

After years of trying to be published traditionally, and several false dawns and near misses, I finally bagged a book deal. It's the boost I needed at the perfect time as it's been a somewhat frustrating experience and my head was turned numerous times by the successes of some self-published friends. However, I resisted because deep down I yearned for that validation of a "Yes" from a publisher.

I'd just like to thank my many supportive friends and the readers who offered feedback, which spurred me on in dark times. And, of course, a big thanks for the faith shown in my writing by Darren Laws, the head honcho at Caffeine Nights Publishing, who will publish my first novel, MY KIND OF JUSTICE, later next year.

Now, with impeccable synchronicity, the sun is shining in 'rainy' Manchester and I'm off to Harrogate Crime Festival to celebrate!  

R.I.P. mate...

It was an honour to know and meet you, AJ Hayes (Bill).

Tributes over at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers...

HELLO, BLOG! LONG TIME NO SEE. UPDATES & NEWS OF A FREEBIE FOR YOU...

(If you wanna skip my ramblings to snag the FREEBIE and run, then scroll down).

Just a wanted to say that I'm not ignoring you and that I'm still bang at it, as I endeavour to chase that elusive breakthrough. I've recently been floored by a bout of vertigo that has had me in and out of work. I'm hopeful it will settle, but I know people who've had it on and off for years.

Anyhow, back to writing.  My second crime novel manuscript is out there, via my agent, being read by editors. After the encouraging feedback received with the first one a couple of years ago, there's still hope.  However, this is tempered by concern that they just might not 'get it', since I took a calculated gamble with the plot twist, making it a 'crossover' novel.  The responses have been sluggish, at best, so it doesn't look too good.  I can't say that it's not been frustrating, but no one said it was easy!  Nothing worthwhile is.

Anyway, we'll see.  Of course, I've started a third, something of a change of tack, but less of a gamble, and still a crime thriller.  To be honest, I'm bursting to unleash my novels on the public, though I'm trying my best to remain patient and to not become too exasperated at the slow-turning traditional publishing cogs.  I can see why so many writers self-publish their novels these days.  It's very appealing on so many levels, but I still have faith in the traditional route, albeit at a particularly uncertain time for the industry.

In the meantime, my eBook collections are serving their purpose and being consistently read.  The positive feedback from readers has kept me going.  It feels like I'm getting closer, knocking on the door... and soon I'll be kicking the damn thing down (hopefully)!

After resisting this on principle up until now, in a 'shift of mindset' (aka 'selling out'?), I've decided to run a FREE promo (until Sunday 27th October 2013) on my short story collection, MANCHESTER 6.  After all, writers should give their stuff away shouldn't they? I mean, it's not like they've sweated blood and tears creating their masterpieces, while everyone else is watching telly and chillin' out, is it?

You're welcome to spread the word about the freebie, which would help ensure that it wasn't a complete waste of time!  I wonder if Kindles the world over are now filled up with eBooks that will never see the light of day...?  I also wanted to see if these types of promos worked on short story collections as opposed to novels.  To be honest, I couldn't see myself doing a free promo on a novel that has taken a year, or more, to develop.

In other news, I got my hat-trick! Three years on the bounce, having stories accepted for Maxim Jakubowski's brilliant MAMMOTH BOOKS OF BEST BRITISH CRIME.  This time EYES WIDE SHUT from charity anthology, OFF THE RECORD 2: At the Movies, was selected.

I will have some more 'Fat-Chews' with crime authors for you soon, once 'things' settle down a bit.

Finally, I'll update you with the result of my free promo 'experiment', once results are in, but a day and half into it the five days and the signs are promising...

US downloads = 155 & UK = 313. US rank = 1,299 (#2 in mystery short stories). UK rank = 119 (#1 in short stories).

NAB YOUR FREE COPY...

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

You take care and keep soldiering on (unless it's driving you insane, in which case, take a break).
Ever determined.
Col

CHEWING THE FAT with... Richard Godwin...

Apostle Rising is a dark, psycho-logical and moody novel. One Lost Summer sounds lovely, suggesting sun and flowers, but I suspect I'm wrong. Tell us about it.

Despite the fact that it is set in a heat wave One Lost Summer is a dark seductive novel about identity loss and reality. And it is about why we want to be seduced.

Rex Allen meets his beautiful next door neighbour, Evangeline Glass, when she invites him to one of her summer parties, and he becomes convinced she is someone other than the person she is pretending to be. He sets about spying on her and asks her to act out the part of Coral, who may be a figment of his imagination or Evangeline’s alter ego. His obsession leads to disaster. It is a psychological portrait of obsession set in a heat wave.

Despite being on your third novel (Mr Glamour being the second), unlike many novelists, you still find the time to write short stories for the ezines. Why?

I like short stories. I think they are an excellent way to explore fiction in shorter form. I also enjoy contributing to the magazines. And they bring exposure to a new audience.

When you kindly put me up on my London visit, you still got up at 7.00 am and did a couple of hours writing. Rather than thinking, 'ignorant bugger', I admired you for it!  This made me realise that you are a true pro' and have the self-discipline to get the job done.  Have you always been so steadfastly organised?

Not always. When I was younger probably not, but discipline is necessary.

So far, your novels are 'standalones'. Any thoughts on creating a series character?

Yes. I am writing the sequel to Apostle Rising. For those of you who have read it, the novel, while complete, remains open for a sequel, and that should be out next year.

Any words of wisdom for the writers out there who want to fulfil their dream of becoming a full-time novelist? 

Keep writing.

You can buy One Lost Summer here, Amazon UK or Amazon US.

Richard Godwin is the author of critically acclaimed novels One Lost Summer, Apostle Rising and Mr. Glamour.  One Lost Summer is his third novel. He is also a published poet and a produced playwright. His stories have been published in over 29 anthologies, among them his anthology of stories, Piquant: Tales Of The Mustard Man. 

Apostle Rising is a dark work of fiction exploring the blurred line between law and lawlessness and the motivations that lead men to kill.

Mr. Glamour is about a world of wealthy, beautiful people who can buy anything, except safety from the killer in their midst.

Richard Godwin was born in London and obtained a BA and MA in English and American Literature from King's College London, where he also lectured.

You can find out more about Richard at his website  www.richardgodwin.net, where you can also read his Chin Wags At The Slaughterhouse, his highly popular and unusual interviews with other authors.