MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR! (plus, 2012 highlights).

It's been a tough old year, chasing the writing dream while working full time and feeding the family. Just wanted to send my hearty good wishes for the festive season to my online friends / readers, and say 'thanks' to you all for your ongoing support and friendship, which is invaluable and truly spurs me on more than you probably realize.  

Writing update: My little old ebook of gritty crime shorts, MANCHESTER 6, is still selling consistently (pushing 400 now), considering it was just an 'appetite-wetter' while I continued with the traditional publishing route. When I've finished the third draft (big sigh) of 'novel attempt two' for my agent, I'm pleased to announce that I'll be bringing out another ebook of shorts via Ganglion Press. I've just got to go through twenty shorts and maybe whittle them down to the best dozen or so. Look out for THE COPS OF MANCHESTER in early(ish) 2013.

Highlights of 2012: 

... Going to my first Harrogate Crime Writing Festival with Graham Smith and meeting...  Howard Linskey, Michael Malone, Nick Quantrill, Matt Hilton, Chris Simmons, Luca Veste, Neil White, Jo Evans, Scott Turner, Zoe Sharp, Ali Karim and Kevin Wignall, among many others. 

... Briefly chatting with three of my favourite crime authors, Simon Kernick, Stuart Neville and Mark Billingham.  And... being in that room when TOSSERGATE erupted! (Quickly digressing...)

... Going to London to meet class acts, Bill 'AJ' Hayes and Richard Godwin, and having a damn good 'chinwag' and walk along the Thames with their lovely wives (don't tell Richard 'n' Bill though!). Richard even took us to Richmond Park which inspired the 'Woodlands Murders' in Apostle Rising - my fave novel of 2012 (that's when I read it anyway).

... Then, off up to Gretna with the family to chew the fat at Graham's gaff, with 'me old mucker', David Barber (& his lovely fam'), Denise and Matt Hilton, Sheila Quigley, Michael Malone and the man who fatefully introduced me to Matt nearly four years ago, Richard 'Thommo' Thompson. 

... Without that intro', the annual Gretna gig wouldn't exist, and arguably, neither would Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers ezine.

... Personally, I was thrilled to bits that my short story, MOPPING UP (Tonto Books), made The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9, alongside the likes of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Zoe Sharp... and FISTS OF DESTINY (from MANCHESTER 6), was selected for The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 10 beside Lee Child, Ruth Rendell and Paul D Brazill, among other top crime scribes.

Non-writing highlight... obviously...!

All the best everyone. Let's make 2013 a year to remember too! 

All the very best,
Col

EXCITING RELEASES OF TOP NOTCH CRIME...

Richard Godwin's critically acclaimed, APOSTLE RISING is now available as an ebook, at the ridiculous price of £2.05. It's a (very) dark, psycho-logical, police procedural-cum-horror novel, that resonates after each reading session.  In this ebook you also get an excerpt from MR GLAMOUR and four noir stories.

Prolific north-eastern author, Julie Morrigan has a new crime 'twin-pack' due out on September 7th called WIRED, featuring two shorts, Barbed Wire and Razor Wire. To get tasters from each story go here.

Hull's finest crime writer, Nick Quantrill has a novella, BANG, BANG YOU'RE DEAD, coming out on September 17th via Byker Books. For a nosey at the first chapter click here.

People may know Steven Miscandlon for his cool book cover designs, but the man can write too. Check out INTO THE SHADOWS for ten dark short stories.

As is my wont, I'm currently reading the novels of two gents I was honoured to meet and hang out with at Harrogate.  Both have gripped me by the throat and not let go (not the authors, the novels!).  For just over a quid apiece (WTF?), Michael Malone's, BLOOD TEARS and Howard Linskey's, THE DROP introduce exciting new lead characters with strong potential for longevity.

In other news, I was relieved that that Scouse bloke, Luca Veste accepted my short story, EYES WIDE SHUT for the forthcoming OFF THE RECORD 2, as I knew the standard was high after reading the first, OFF THE RECORD.  But this time the theme is film titles as opposed to song titles.  And, again, it's for charities helping kids to read both sides of the big pond. What could be better, eh?  If you've not already, you can buy the first edition here for .77p - talk about value! ;-)


Laters,
Col

Reviews for MANCHESTER 6, a couple of CHIN WAGS 'n' story news...

A few reviews are now up on Amazon regarding my début e-book, MANCHESTER 6.  It's always an anxious time wondering how your creation will be received in the big, wide world, but I'm happy to say, 'so far so good'.  Thanks to those who have taken the time and trouble to write a review - it's really appreciated as all feedback helps you grow as an author.

If you missed it, I was honoured to have been invited by acclaimed author of APOSTLE RISING, Richard Godwin, for a warts 'n' all Chin Wag at the Slaughterhouse, where we chewed the fat about criminal pathology, amongst other things. And, for the first time, I opened up regarding my endeavours, via the traditional publishing route, with agent Nat Sobel, and our ongoing attempts to get my crime novel series on the bookshelves.

LIVERPOOL 5 author, Luca Veste has also had a chitchat with me over at his popular Guilty Conscience site.  One of the topics discussed was the forthcoming charity e-book involving thirty-seven writers, OFF THE RECORD.  I'm chuffed to bits that my new story RESPECT will be included, inspired by Aretha Franklin's classic song.

Lastly, for now, after well over one hundred entries for this year Radgepacket - Tales from the Inner Cities Volume 6 (Byker Books), I'm ecstatic to announce that I made the cut! :-) Plus, there's a whole bunch of British writers in Paul D. Brazill's  forthcoming anthology, BRIT GRIT TOO.  

Congrats to all my fellow writers who made it into the anthologies, and commiserations to those who didn't.

That enough links for you? Okay then... back to the novel...

Best,

Col

Richard Godwin's first novel, APOSTLE RISING, sounds like an absolute cracker...

Just listened attentively to fellow writer, Richard Godwin, being interviewed over on 'The Authors Show' about his first novel, APOSTLE RISING. It's out in March 2011, but I, for one, eagerly anticipate its release because I've a strong feeling it could be one the best first novels of 2011.
Accomplished speaker Richard explains all in his own inimitable way here.

Ps. Thanks to Ian Ayris for the heads up.