BYKER BOOKS' RADGEPACKET LAUNCH & A LITTLE TEASER FROM ME...

Here's what Byker Ed has to say...
"It's true kids - there's another 'Radge' launch happening on the streets of Britain... sorry! We'll be having our soiree (posh eh?) at The Back Page Bookshop, 53 St. Andrews St, Newcastle upon Tyne on 10th March between 12:00 and 15:00. There'll be a bit of booze, some nibbly stuff, a guest speaker (proper author like!) and, of course, loads of banter. Coming?"


Personally, I'm gutted that I can;t make it due to work commitments.  Especially as my story WANTED won a place alongside the likes of Nick Quantrill, Alan Griffiths, Paul Brazill, Darren Sant, Danny Hill, Ian Ayris, Pete Sortwell, Charlie Wade, Sally Spedding, Luca Veste, Craig Douglas and many more...


Here's Ed again to fill you in (he's a bit of a tough guy!)...
"The Radgepacket series goes from strength to strength with each volume, and in this our sixth book of short stories, you'll find twenty-two of Britain's best 'unsigned and unhinged' authors. They'll entertain you with tales of bus stops and loony cops, loan sharks and car parks, big fat blokes, dodgy smokes, lines of coke and some appalling jokes. So come and have a read if you think you're hard enough!"


On another note, there are rumours that I have a 'manly chest'... :-)


COMING SOON... SO SOON I CAN TASTE IT...

  Thanks for the tag-line, Luca! :-)

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

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...