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! ;-)

Great time with Graham 'n' the Brit Grit crime gang up at Gretna Green...

NOTE: Subs now open at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

Good times: Denise, Graham , Matt, Col, Sheila 'n' Dave

To coin from Dave's story: 'Best Mates 'n' Lovers'! :-)

Yep, we had a 'mini-crimefest' up at Crimesquad reviewer-cum-writer, Graham Smith's stunning converted mill, (The Mill Forge) where many a Brit has kept with tradition to 'elope'.  None of us got hitched, but Dave Barber and I frolicked at the 'Kissing Gate'! (Don't tell the wives).

The bosses... Lisa 'n' Mand'.

On Friday we settled in and, along with Graham 'n' Dave, we chewed the fat about crime writing, editing, webzines, eBooks, our 'novels', plus 'man-talk' into the wee hours.  So, as is tradition, we all got shit-faced! :-)

On Saturday, after a splendid day Christmas shopping up the road at Gretna Gateway, we met up with thriller author Matt Hilton, his lovely wife, Denise and crime novelist Sheila Quigley.  In the bar on Saturday night, the stories and banter flowed smoother than the ale, and talk about laugh - I nearly bought a round. :-)

It was truly great to hook up with genuine, like-minded people who I'm proud to call my friends.  A top weekend was had by all, so thanks to our host, Graham and his wonderful staff at The Mill Forge, for their hospitality. I feel an annual event in the offing.

Enough rambling, I'll let the pics speak for themselves...

Pine Lake - check out the backdrop of the snow-topped Lake District mountains

Col 'n' Mand'

Wolf at the bar... spooky...

"One pint of froth coming up!"

"You're sacked, Bury!"

Love this pic.

Spent a bloody fortune... but they're worth it

Brit Gritters

Happy families: Joe, Mand, Col 'n' Olivia

Our wonderful kids... Melissa, Olivia, Joe 'n' Imogen

Warped minds of Crime...

No, Dave, that rope won't take your weight! :-)

Aw... Melissa, Imogen, Joe 'n' Olivia

I've already thought of a short story for this!

Kids havin' fun. For once am taller than Barber! 

On our way back... to reality...

But we couldn't resist stopping for the stunning view of the Lakes...

It was brill... I think you got the picture!

My fiction debut in print... Even More Tonto Short Stories, publication date announced...

Over at indie publishers, Tonto Books, head honcho, Stuart Wheatman, has been working his butt off, trying to keep his head above water throughout the credit crunch. This has delayed the publication of his latest annual short story collection, Even More Tonto Short Stories - aka EMTSS. However, I'm extremely pleased to announce that the definite date it becomes available to the public is AUGUST 5th 2010.

"So, Col, how did you bag a place in such a coveted anthology?"

"Bit nosey, aren't you? But thanks for asking. I guess, I'll have to tell you then."

"Well, we're not that arsed, really, Col, hearing about your poxy short story."

"Why are you here then? To put one of those Chinese porn links on my site? If I ever catch the bas... And, anyway, it's not 'poxy', you cheeky git. It's got stories from real authors in, not just me."

"Okay then, smartarse, name one."

"Matt Hilton."

"Never heard of him!"

"Alright, how's about crime mystery author, Sally Spedding, or Robert Endeacott... plus, it's edited by Caroline Smailles."

"Okay, then, Mister Big Shot, so how did you get in?" (Yawns, scratches arse.)

"Well, since you're so interested.... Just under a year ago I broke me left wrist and was in plaster up to me elbow. And, yeah, I'm left-handed. A novelist friend, Sheila Quigley, mentioned there was a few days left on Tonto's competition to win a place in their popular anthology. So, one-handed, and one-fingered, I tapped away all day, and just manged to make the deadline.

I awaited the results, and Bob's yer Auntie's live-in lover!"

"Well done, I suppose. Anyway, I need to go n watch some paint dry, so am offski."

"No worries, and thanks for popping by."

"See ya... maybe... 說文解 六國文字/六 ................. !"

"OY!!! What have I told you, mum?"

(Joke, it wasn't me mum, really.)

To find out more about the winning stories - including my 4,000 word short, MOPPING UP, introducing characters from the crime novel I'm currently editing - go here.

Regards,

Col

Sheila Quigley's 'The Road To Hell' book launch in Newcastle...

I had a smooth ride across the Pennines and up A1 until the mystical, and somewhat eerie-looking, sculpture 'The Angel of the North' jumped out of the trees at me as I cruised through Gateshead and into Newcastle for my maiden visit.
After booking into the old half-star 'hotel' I met up with writing buddy Matt Hilton and his adorable wife Denise - on our reconnaisance mission to locate the venue - where I was introduced to an unassuming chap, crime author, Adrian Magson and his lovely wife, Anne. So being wife-less on this excursion, the joke was: Col 'Goose' Bury!
It was great to finally meet Adrian having been in contact with him via email for a while now and I appreciated hearing his invaluable insights into the writing world.
The main event was at the spooky Masonic Temple on Maple Terrace. I met Sheila Quigley outside (faggin' it!) and, having heard a helluva lot about her (all good) I found her to be just up my street: a gritty, salt-of-the-earth Northerner with wicked wit and a contagious laugh. Inside it was packed and a cool band played swing-style in the background, and I was extreeeemely pleased to see that there was a bar!
Among the many well-wishers in attendance were the publisher, Stuart Wheatman (pictured with Sheila n I) of Tonto Books and author, Ken McCoy, both of whom I was pleased to briefly meet.
The book itself, The Road To Hell' had me hooked from the first page (I started it on the hotel bog - sorry, too much info') and one chap must've thought the same as he was sat at the back (not in the hotel bog - at the launch) flicking page after page, totally engrossed.
The night was topped off with a nice Italian (down boy) n good writing chat sliced with smart-arse banter (that'll be me then) with Denise, Anne, Matt n Adrian.
The next day we all met up with Sheila again then hogged Blakes coffee shop in Newcastle centre and had a jolly good chin-wag mixed with a plethora of chuckles. Laugh? I nearly bought a round!
A thoroughly enjoyable sojourn, despite my 'brisk' walk through a dodgy council estate while searching for the elusive Masonic Temple that none of the locals had even heard of - when I asked one chap he looked at me as if I was from the moon. When he replied, I returned the same look! Plus, the return trip: bumper-to-bumper M62, driving rain, glaring headlights n baggy eyes...grr.
Look out for a forthcoming Q&A with the inimitable Sheila right here, and her road to success is a heart-rending story in itself so watch this space. And if you've not read any of Sheila's gritty stuff yet then you're missing a treat.
The Road to Hell by Sheila Quigley - hardback published by Tonto Books.

Three new novels for crime fiction fans...

Firstly one that was officially launched on October 22nd 2009 is my Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers co-editor, Matt Hilton's second in the Joe Hunter series entitled JUDGEMENT & WRATH. A crime thriller novel I'm half way through reading - and thoroughly enjoying - and is shaping up to be even better than the first, DEAD MEN'S DUST which, simply put, means it's a cracker!

Another one to look out for is talented northern crime novelist, Sheila Quigley's THE ROAD TO HELL - publisher Tonto Books - which is officially launched up in Newcastle on November 5th, so there should be fireworks (sorry). Sheila has a series of gritty novels featuring characters on THE SEAHILLS ESTATE.

And last but certainly not least, debut novelist, Nick Quantrill, over at Hull Crime Fiction, unleashes his Private Investigator, Joe Geraghty in BROKEN DREAMS to be published by Caffeine Nights late 2009.

Amendment/update from Nick: as the publisher is still awaiting confirmation of cataloguing/ordering for libraries & shops, plus the ongoing postal strikes (the proof copies are still in transit somewhere), the publishing date for BROKEN DREAMS will be March 2010.