THE END... OR... THE BEGINNING...? (Regardless, am off to Harrogate!).

It's five in the morning and I've just finished my second attempt at a crime novel, and sent it off to my agent, Nat Sobel.

It's been a tough year, after getting tantalisingly close with the first attempt, and gleaning amazing compliments from respected editors (who still didn't buy it!), then having to repeat the arduous process, while wondering if I could put myself through it all again.   

It sounds like I didn't enjoy the process, but I did, only it's such a strain, mentally, having to try and balance family life, a demanding job and writing.  It's been a very bumpy journey, one only other writers can truly understand, so I hope it's all been worthwhile. 

The first 'novel' is sat on my hard drive and, with a few tweaks, I still have faith in it.  Regarding the manuscript I've just sent to Nat, I (we) had a total rethink and it was a BIG ask, throughout which I had to stretch myself more than that bendy bloke off the Fantastic Four!  I'd set myself a target to finish it before the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival.  So mission accomplished! ;-)

Just pray Nat likes it. EEK! ;-)

May be a bit quiet, but I'm still bang at it...

Lots of words being written and projects on the go, amid family, life and (bloody) shift work! Just letting you all know that if I'm not as accessible just lately, it's because I'm zoning in on finishing the first draft of novel attempt number two with my loyal agent, Nat Sobel. It's something I must see through.
I'll still be kicking around online, if anyone wants to chew the fat, just not as much for a while.

Regards,
Col

Coming soon... Mammoth Book of Best British Crime... plus, other really interesting stuff...!

Things are on the up when an aspiring writer, such as little old me, discovers he'll soon be sharing the pages with top crime authors.  For years I've admired the likes of Mark Billingham and Val McDermid, and more recently Matt Hilton, Nick Quantrill and Adrian Magson.  So, when you throw in Sophie Hannah and Zoe Sharp, amongst other accomplished wordsmiths, you know you'll have a short story collection to remember!  I just hope my first ever published (in print) crime story,  MOPPING UP (Tonto Books) justifies its selection.

It's an absolute honour to be involved, so a big thanks to editor Maxim Jakubowski for showing faith in my story.  The Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime 9 is out on February 2nd 2012.

Sorry if this is a bit of a 'me post', but I also have a crime short upcoming at A Twist OF Noir in the ongoing '600 to 700 (words) Challenge'.  Plus, I've submitted stories to a couple of e-book anthologies recently (to be announced, even if I don't make the cut!), and also to Byker Books for the popular Radgepacket - Tales From The Inner Cities (volume 6).  So, fingers crossed...

And, yes, I'm still chipping away at the latest crime novel. Don't forget, if you wanna read about my exploits over the last eighteen months with New York agent, Nat Sobel, then look out for a warts 'n' all 'Chinwag' coming soon...

Well, that's enough about you, let's talk about me! :-) Seriously, what writing projects are YOU excited about, or currently working on?


Best,
Col

Ps. I've added a couple of pages to the blog 'n' tidied up a bit - let me know what you think...

'BRIT GRIT' is live... and a forthright 'CHIN WAG' coming soon...

Unfortunately, it's not crime fiction, but real crime that's dominating my thoughts at the moment. Dark, metaphorical clouds hang over England, including my beloved city, Manchester. I won't ramble on about it here - I'll just say, "sub-human scum" and leave it at that. However, I've been having a 'Chin Wag' with a good friend about this and other stuff, where I do say a lot more, including my endeavours with agent, Nat Sobel.  It'll be a 'warts 'n' all' affair, so watch out for that soon!

I'm also honoured to be involved in the new 'Brit Grit' series, which started last Sunday with Alan Griffith's superb short, 'Two Fingers of Noir'. Thanks to writer/editor, Elaine Ash for setting the whole thing up over at AshEdit. As you can see, my name didn't quite make the promo poster, but I'm in good company with Ian Ayris... One day, Ian, one day... :-)

In other news... Paul Brazill's 'Drunk on the Moon' series rolls merrily on... Dave Barber's back from his jollies, now editing again at The Flash Fiction Offensive... Matt Hilton's latest Joe Hunter thriller is out... and I had the pleasure of publishing a crackin' short by a reviewer who can actually write! Luca Veste's 'Time' is over at Thrillers, Killer's 'n' Chillers.

God, am such a name-dropper, aren't I? :-)

Eastern Standard Crime is back... plus a few musings...

Geoff Eighinger is re-opening Eastern Standard Crime on October 1st. I have fond memories of the site, as my short FORUM OF FURY was given a very positive review there once upon a time. Plus, several writer friends received acclaim for their stories on the likes of Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers and A Twist Of Noir. I recall TKnC actually winning a 'Bullet Award' from ESC in August 2009, as did, the somewhat stunned, David Barber for one of his first published stories, SORRY LOVE. I blogged about it here on TKnC.

However, to avoid the burnout that saw Geoff close the site last year, he will be only reviewing crime novels from North American writers (sighs). Who knows, he may branch out to the Brits one day (hint, hint, Geoff).

To diverge, may I thank all my blog friends who chose to spread the word about my recent good news of earning representation from highly-respected New York agent, Nat Sobel.

Also, I had a lovely surprise earlier in the week when EVEN MORE TONTO SHORT STORIES slapped onto the hallway mat. It contains my first ever story in print, the gritty, no-nonsense, MOPPING UP - which introduces characters from my crime novel, including Detective Inspector Jack Striker. In a welcome twist of fate, I'm honoured to be sharing the pages with Matt Hilton, whose story THE SKIN WE'RE IN is well worth a nosey.

Thanks, too, to Matt Hilton, who assisted me with my crime postings over at TKnC, as I've been particularly busy lately. There has been a flurry of posts recently and you may have missed some excellent stories, including some cracking debuts, so why not check out the last dozen or so? You won't be disappointed. And please let the writers know what you thought, constructively! http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/
I'm rambling, so catch you soon... hopefully with good news on my crime novel, which is doing the rounds...

Regards,
Col

BLOG-FLASH...New York agent, Nat Sobel, has 'signed up' little old me...!!!

But things could've been so very different...

Around October 2009 I heard from A Twist Of Noir Editor, Christopher Grant, that a powerhouse in the publishing world was hunting on the internet for new talent. I believe Chris put forward a few names, and, being the type of genuine guy who looks out for his mates, Chris kindly pointed Nat Sobel in the direction of Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers. Matt Hilton gave me the heads up that Nat Sobel had described my writing as 'impressive' and informed me to expect an email. Gulp, I thought, recalling what Nat had done for Stuart Neville and The Ghosts of Belfast.

Now then, obviously the tingle of excitement was there, but I heard absolutely nothing for a few weeks, yet there were rumbles in the blogosphere that other writers had been invited to send stuff to Nat.

Then it struck me like a slap in the face...

While co-editing TKnC, Matt 'n' I were receiving lots of spam per day, as our emails were on the site for all to see 'n' abuse... I had deleted Nat Sobel's email!

Had I blown my big chance before it had begun? In early November I wrote Nat an email designed to resurrect my chances, and thankfully, he requested the first pages of my crime novel. However, those pages changed several times, with Nat looking for 'improvement'. I later sent him the whole novel and he suggested many, many changes.

By early 2010, when Nat asked me to basically start from scratch, my head nearly popped! It was very heavy going, but I soldiered on, and re-sent it. When many more changes were suggested it nearly sent me under! If I change that bit, then that bit doesn't make sense... I was tired from work... the kids kept interrupting me... the dog kept interrupting me... the wife kept interrupting me... sleep kept inter'... you get the message. My family have been brilliant throughout and I sincerely appreciate their patience.

I did the changes, and noticed the novel was taking shape and reading better. A couple of months ago, I sent off draft three. The waits in between each draft being sent were torturous. Expecting a, 'No, you're shit really, and this was a big mistake.' It came back requiring more edits... so I did them, wondering when I'd actually reach a point when it would be good enough.

Last night at 3.00 am (I write better at night) my email pinged with Nat's response to draft four... That tingle of excited again... "...It seems to me that you have done all the work I’ve asked for... We are going forward... My plans for the novel are... ...I can’t guarantee publication, but I am going to really try...."

I didn't cry (okay there was a solitary tear, but don't tell Nat!), but my relief was tangible.

Nothing has happened yet, I know, but big steps have been taken on this steep learning curve, and I am honoured to be represented by someone as experienced and professional as Nat Sobel. And it's fair to say that he squeezed this novel out of me.

I would like to thank all my friends in the blogosphere for your support and encouragement, in particular those I'm in daily contact with - you know who you are.

Also a big shout to Chris Grant for the fateful role he played. And who says networking doesn't work?

The moral of the story is... check your spam before clicking delete!

Regards,
Col

Ps. Off to Scotland for a few days for a rest :)