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...

More Short Story Successes...(plus, news snippets).

***Note: bit of a 'me post' for a change! ;-)

After last year's inclusion in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST BRITISH CRIME 9, alongside the likes of Mark Billingham and Zoe Sharp, I didn't realise, until recently, that this time I'd be sharing the pages with stellar names, such as of Lee Child and Ann Cleeves, in  THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST BRITISH CRIME 10.  It is quite an honour, as you can imagine.  The book's out in February 2013, and my story's called, FISTS OF DESTINY, selected from the ebook, MANCHESTER 6.  A huge thanks goes to author/publisher, Maxim Jakubowski for twice showing faith in my crime writing.

So that's the name-dropping out of the way! ;-)

I'm still beavering away in the background regarding the crime novels, but, as they say, "patience is a virtue", right?  I also like the phrase, "The harder you work, the luckier you get."

In the meantime, as short stories pour out of me, I've had a few more accepted recently: four flash pieces in the forthcoming "OWC Writers' Talkback anthology"; one short in a Zombie Apocalypse anthology (more details to follow); one short in, OFF THE RECORD 2 - At the Movies, charity anthology; plus, there was my editors' contribution short  in the Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers Halloween Comp, which you can read here.

The winning stories from the TKnC comp are absolute crackers and the standard was off the scale.

They've already been posted on the site, so have a browse around for a horror feast. The results are here.  Big Congrats to the winners and runners up, and a hat tip to all who entered.

One last note: Paul D Brazill, the man with his finger on the crime fiction pulse, keeps us up to date weekly on all things juicy down Brit Grit Alley. So, if you don't wanna miss anything, get over there!

Laters,
Col

ACTION: Pulse Pounding Tales Vol. 1 FREE...

On June 6th and 7th be sure to download ACTION: Pulse Pounding Tales FREE.  


Not sure?  Well, when you see the list of established authors who've contributed, alongside some talented newbies, then you know you're getting some top notch thriller fiction to feast upon.


Call me a 'name-dropper'... Matt Hilton, Stephen Leather, Zoe Sharp, Adrian Magson, Richard Godwin, K.A. Laity, Paul D. Brazill, David Barber, Steven Saville, Graham Smith, Absolutely Kate, Paul Grzegorzek, Mark Dark, Joe McCoubrey, Robin Jarossi, and many more... (37 in total). Did I mention I was in it too? ;-)


Grab it 'n' enjoy...


Amazon US.

Amazon UK.

New Crime Fiction Releases...

I've been busy with 'life' and writing, endeavouring to find that elusive perfect balance.  Thought I'd share some news about forthcoming and recently published crime fiction.  It's great to see Paul D Brazill and Luca Veste's, True Brit Grit is out, including no fewer than 44 talented British writers, plus me! ;-) It for charity too, so grab a copy here.


There's a real buzz around the forthcoming anthology being compiled by thriller author, Matt Hilton, entitled: ACTION: Pulse Pounding Tales.  Matt's not only paying the authors for their stories (retirement isn't imminent, but it's a start!), but he's also donating 50p per copy sold in the first month (May) to the worthy cause: Help For Heroes. To find out more go here.

I recently received my signed copy of Mr Glamour by Richard Godwin.  It's gleaning great reviews already, not surprising considering his first novel, Apostle Rising has become something of a cult classic.

Really chuffed to see that London cabbie, Danny Kemp's début novel, The Desolate Garden, is going to be made into a film.

More great news regarding 'watching' novels - Sheila Quigley's novel, Run For Home is being adapted for screen. Congrats Sheila!

The 'Queen of Dark Fiction', Lily Childs has recently unleashed her aptly titled eBook, The Cabaret of Dread - 43 cross-genre horror nuggets. Buy it here.

Ex-cop, Paul Grzegorzek has re-released The Follow. If in doubt, check out the reviews here!

And last, but certainly not least (!), some bloke called Col Bury currently has his eBook of gritty crime shorts, Manchester 6, at HALF PRICE for a limited time! ;-)

New Kid on the Blog, plus eBook News...

Crimesquad reviewer-cum-crime writer, Graham Smith has a snazzy new blog here.

Graham's one of many writers who've taken the plunge into the eBook world.

I'm pleased to announce that my own eBook, MANCHESTER 6, will be back (in style!) and on the virtual shelves soon. It will be followed by a further crime collection in 'The Manchester Series'.

Here's a selection of some cool eBooks that have recently been released, or are out soon...

'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? :-)

BULLET POINTS...

• The Brazilliant blog king extraordinaire, Paul D. Brazill has an exciting new ebook out, which is incredibly 'cheap as chips'! For more on 'DRUNK ON THE MOON' click here.
• Over at cool American ezine, A Twist Of Noir, editor Christopher Grant has resumed the 600 to 700 Challenge. 
• Geoff Eighinger has thankfully resurrected the sorely missed, Bullet Awards for best stories of the month on the net.  It's truly awesome to have this back, as it is to see David Barber's ever-growing Flash Fiction Offensive bagging TWO places in the top three!  Dave's doing a sterling job over there. Well done to all the winners - more here. 
• Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers has yet more debuting writers, with some great flash fiction, including Thomas Pluck, Margaret D. Whittle and K.R. Helms, amongst others.
• Crime thriller author of the popular Joe Hunter series, Matt Hilton, talks about the importance of libraries, and how they inspired him to write as a kid.  Listen to Matt's many variations of the word, 'Erm' (including, 'ehm' 'n' 'um') on BBC Radio Cumbria (fast forward to 2 hrs 18 secs). 
• Oh, 'n' after some heavy research for my crime novel, I've decided to join horror writer Steven Chapman in the 'summer camp' at NaNoWriMo, where you commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. What have I done? Cheers, Steve! If you need a bit of motivation to write, then it's not too late to join. Here's my profile page.  Obviously, I'll be aiming at the 90,000 word mark. But I'm a third of the way in already, so doing this is good for focus, in the busy life of a working dad!

Regards to all,
Col

Guest's Crime Fiction Choice - Paul D. Brazill

If you don't know Paul Brazill, then you haven't got a computer! The man's everywhere - am sure there's two of him. A while back, I commented on TKnC that his writing was / is 'Brazilliant'. And he's a top bloke to boot (not literally of course).

Paul Brazill's Crime Fiction Choice

PICTURES OF YOU by Keith Rawson & Chad Eagleton - Darkest Before The Dawn, December 2009.

Purcell is serving ten years in a prisons protective wing. One day he has a visitor. A stranger who shows him a photograph of his beloved wife, half naked and tied up. The deal is this: Purcell’s wife will be set free only after he does them a favour. A dangerous favour. And he has 48 hours to do it.

Pictures Of You is a brilliant piece of hardboiled noir writing from two of the best crime writers around. It’s strong on atmosphere and has meaty characterisation, sharp dialogue, great images and a plot that keeps you constantly on your toes.

Highly recommended.

Cheers, Paul!

BIO:
Spinetingler Award nominee Paul D. Brazill’s stories have appeared in A Twist Of Noir, Beat To A Pulp, Dark Valentine Magazine, Crimefactory, Needle Magazine, Pulp Metal Magazine and Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers, as well as in the anthologies Radgepacket Four & Five and The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime Fiction 2011. His blog is YOU WOULD SAY THAT WOULDN’T YOU?

The secret's out... I have a new website...

Not much of a secret, I know, but below is a 'Bury Bonus' for all aspiring crime writers so read on...

I was gonna keep the site under wraps, until I'd completed its construction, but a few beady-eyed sleuths spotted it! (Typical crime writers, eh?).

I wanted something, easy(ish) to manage, more like a website, to complement my blog, and Wordpress.com seemed ideal. So thanks to fellow writer, Jeanette Cheezum, for inadvertently introducing me to Wordpress.

I'm well pleased to have had permission from top notch writers, Lily Childs, Al Griffiths and Paul D. Brazill to re-publish a cracking story apiece, under the 'Guest's Stories' tab. And that's just for starters! Be sure to check out their quality fiction, comment, and rate them out of 5-stars.

Oh, 'n' I've uploaded ten of my own shorts for you to devour if you're hungry.

And the 'Bury Bonus'... My American agent has subscribed to the site and will be reading the short fiction on there and offering comments now 'n' then. He's informed me he enjoys short fiction, but is actually on the lookout for 'crime driven novels'.

So, if you get an invitation from me asking your permission to showcase one of your shorts in the future... who knows...?

Pop over for a nosey here... http://colburysnewcrimefiction.wordpress.com/

HIT THE NORTH!... Paul Brazill interviews little old me...

My latest interview is up over on prolific writer, Paul Brazill's blog, You Would Say That, Wouldn't You? It's part of his popular 'HIT THE NORTH!' series, whereby he speaks with writers from the north of England.

I chat about my crime novel, living in Manchester, and co-editing ezine Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

If you fancy a nosey, just click the here.

Regards,
Col

Ps. The photo is of the Beetham Tower in Manchester city centre.

Check out my 'Guest Write' about 'Crime Comedy' over at Paul Brazill's mighty fine blog...

Just a quickie to let you know Brazilliant blogger extraordinaire, Paul Brazil, recently invited me to do a guest blog. Read my take on humour's place in crime writing by clicking the title of this post...

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice...

Your choice: skip the waffle to see my first set of selections below...

My choice will be a regular feature from now on whereby I'll be pointing you in the direction of some of the top notch short fiction I've enjoyed from around the blogosphere.

There are some cracking writers out there - many as yet undiscovered - and, since August 2008 when I began 'blogging,' I've had the pleasure of becoming friends with many of them (well virtually!).

So I'll be delving into the archives of my favourite Webzines and I make no apologies for some of my selections possibly being horror, supernatural or even Sci-Fi based as many of these genres often blur together. The only criteria is that a crime is committed or, at least threatened, and dark humour is always a winner with me! (For example, if some two-headed monster bites the head off an unsuspecting victim then I'd say that's a crime, wouldn't you? Extreme, but you get the gist.)

Having said that, many of my choices will undoubtedly be straight crime fiction or noir as I love the 'grit' therein. And, obviously, I can't choose any of my own...

'God, you're a harsh task-master, Col.'
'Shut it! This is about other people so wind yer neck in, you egotistical...!
'Okay, okay. I was just wondering whether I could mention some of mine, that's all.'
'Right...do you want me to get me weapon out?'
'Easy, Tiger!'

That sorted, and in no particular order, where better to start than the archives of Thrillers, Killers 'N' Chillers and top American ezine, A Twist Of Noir...

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #1

THIS OLD HOUSE - by Paul Brazill

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #2

THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART - by Gary Dobbs

Col Bury's Crime Fiction Choice #3

CRIME OF THE CENTURY - by Vallon Jackson

Enjoy!

Ps. Watch this space for the next three choices...