Pauline Rowson's Blog, page 72
February 22, 2012
The stages in writing a novel - I'm at the 'excited' stage
Each stage of writing brings with it its joys and frustrations. I'm at the 'excited' stage at the moment where I've worked up several ideas for the next DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel, which will be number nine in the series and my eleventh crime novel. I've sketched out some key characters, and the theme is developing nicely. I have a body, and a location, which is, as usual, Portsmouth, England and the Solent area on the South Coast of England. There are other inicidents knocking around in Portsmouth CID; Andy Horton is on his Harley, still getting aggravation from his ex wife, and trying to put together pieces of his past and the mystery of his mother's disappearance, and Sergeant Cantelli is back from his holiday. It's the beginning of September.
The next stage is 'bashing it out' where I'm trying to get as much of the story written and as quickly as I can while the ideas are there and I'm keen to see how it all hangs togther. Many writers find this first draft frustrating and a bit of a pain and I've often wished I could brain dump straight on to computer, perhaps one day we will be able to do this! For now it's fingers to the keyboard, for me. I'm pleased to say that I now have the first three chapters written, just over twelve thousand words, and I'm starting on chapter four. In between writing the first draft I'll be doing some location research, some more plotting and further general research.
Once the first draft is written, I can relax a little and start to flesh out and shape the novel. This takes many revisions and often further research until finally I check that everything hangs together, all the unanswered questions have been answered and that the words and phrases used are the correct ones. All in all usually a nine month process for me.
Meanwhile DI Horton number eight is with my editor and DI Horton number seven, A Killing Coast has just been published in hardcover. You can check the order of novels in the DI Horton series and get more details on all my crime novels and other books on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
A Killing Coast
The next stage is 'bashing it out' where I'm trying to get as much of the story written and as quickly as I can while the ideas are there and I'm keen to see how it all hangs togther. Many writers find this first draft frustrating and a bit of a pain and I've often wished I could brain dump straight on to computer, perhaps one day we will be able to do this! For now it's fingers to the keyboard, for me. I'm pleased to say that I now have the first three chapters written, just over twelve thousand words, and I'm starting on chapter four. In between writing the first draft I'll be doing some location research, some more plotting and further general research.
Once the first draft is written, I can relax a little and start to flesh out and shape the novel. This takes many revisions and often further research until finally I check that everything hangs together, all the unanswered questions have been answered and that the words and phrases used are the correct ones. All in all usually a nine month process for me.
Meanwhile DI Horton number eight is with my editor and DI Horton number seven, A Killing Coast has just been published in hardcover. You can check the order of novels in the DI Horton series and get more details on all my crime novels and other books on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
A Killing Coast
February 20, 2012
Setting targets for the number of words to write in a day or weekend doesn't always work
I'm not usually one of those authors who set targets for the number of words written in a day or a week but over the weekend I wanted to hit the 10,000 mark of the DI Horton crime novel I'm currently writing, which is number nine in the series. I'm sorry to say I failed but only by about 600 words because other factors intruded on my weekend. I'm not worried though, in fact I'm pleased with how the novel is shaping up and that's more important than a word count, at least it is to me. I've left DI Horton in chapter three interviewing someone and I know where the chapter is heading, which is always helpful! So time to press on with it.
I'm witing the first draft and although I've done some research prior to starting the creative writing process I like to research as I write. This week I need to conduct some further location research, so it's a trip to Old Portsmouth, and the Historic Dockyard where the beginning of this novel is set, whether the location will remain there at the beginning of the novel by the time I come to do revisions who knows. For now I will stop counting words and return to my usual method of writing for at least a couple/few hours every day.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series is now published in hardcover.
Footsteps on the Shore, the sixth DI Horton is now available in paperback and as an e book.
I'm witing the first draft and although I've done some research prior to starting the creative writing process I like to research as I write. This week I need to conduct some further location research, so it's a trip to Old Portsmouth, and the Historic Dockyard where the beginning of this novel is set, whether the location will remain there at the beginning of the novel by the time I come to do revisions who knows. For now I will stop counting words and return to my usual method of writing for at least a couple/few hours every day.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series is now published in hardcover.
Footsteps on the Shore, the sixth DI Horton is now available in paperback and as an e book.
February 3, 2012
How much thinking and planning is done prior to writing a crime novel? Pauline Rowson discusses
I am always thinking about and collecting ideas for future DI Horton crime novels or for a thriller, even when I am writing one. I will jot these down, or cut out an article from a magazine or newspaper, or copy or bookmark something I have seen on the Internet that could be of use. I keep all the paper copies in A4 ring binders in alphabetical order and often flick through them if and when I get stuck while writing a novel because invariably it will spark an idea.
When starting a fresh crime novel I often have the basic idea in mind. I will start to flesh this out using spider grams to work up the basic plot lines and character outlines in pencil on recycled bits of A4 paper. This will be by no means the finished plot or all the characters who might eventually appear in the novel, and often I create some characters that won’t appear in the novel at all because when I start to write it they are no longer relevant. I don’t know how the novel will end or who ‘done it’ that becomes apparent as I write.
I like to start the creative writing process as soon as possible, knowing that the first couple of chapters will change drastically by the time I come to do revisions. But until I start writing and putting words into the character’s mouths and have them acting and reacting they don’t come alive. I then research further as I write. So on average I spend about month working on the outlines before I start writing.
Then it usually takes me another eight months before finishing the crime novel.
I have just completed number eight in the DI Horton series and have started working on the outlines and characters for the next DI Horton, number nine.
A Killing Coast,the seventh in the DI Horton marine mystery series was published in hardcover in January.
When starting a fresh crime novel I often have the basic idea in mind. I will start to flesh this out using spider grams to work up the basic plot lines and character outlines in pencil on recycled bits of A4 paper. This will be by no means the finished plot or all the characters who might eventually appear in the novel, and often I create some characters that won’t appear in the novel at all because when I start to write it they are no longer relevant. I don’t know how the novel will end or who ‘done it’ that becomes apparent as I write.
I like to start the creative writing process as soon as possible, knowing that the first couple of chapters will change drastically by the time I come to do revisions. But until I start writing and putting words into the character’s mouths and have them acting and reacting they don’t come alive. I then research further as I write. So on average I spend about month working on the outlines before I start writing.
Then it usually takes me another eight months before finishing the crime novel.
I have just completed number eight in the DI Horton series and have started working on the outlines and characters for the next DI Horton, number nine.
A Killing Coast,the seventh in the DI Horton marine mystery series was published in hardcover in January.
February 1, 2012
How long does it take you to write a crime novel?
It's always a scary moment when I press that send key and the completed MS for the next DI Andy Horton crime novel wings its way through the ether to my publisher, but yesterday was D Day and off DI Horton number eight went. I always think, could I have spent a bit longer on it? Should I have changed this or that? But there comes a point when you've done all you can and it's time for a fresh pair of eyes to be cast over it.
I'm often asked how long it takes me to write a crime novel and I usually answer about nine months. I started writing the eighth in the DI Horton series on 13 April 2011 and five revisions later there it is completed, so just over nine months seems to be a comfortable timescale for me and allows me to have one crime novel a year published. I was also pleased to have completed this DI Horton bang on time because I promised my editor he'd have the completed novel in January 2012.
And what does DI Horton get up to in this new crime novel? Ah, you'll have to wait a bit longer to find out. Perhaps when my editor gives the green light on it I'll publish the title and blurb here. Meanwhile, number seven in the series, A Killing Coast, was published this month in hardcover, hopefully that will keep Horton fans satisfied until the next instalment.
A Killing Coast
When a body is found floating in the sea off Portsmouth harbour, Detective Inspector Horton initially judges it to be an accidental death. Soon though, to his dismay, he discovers he’s got it very wrong. Accused of being incompetent by his boss, and with the head of the Major Crime Team coming down heavily on him, Horton wonders if he’s allowed his ongoing investigation into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago to cloud his judgement. With no clear motive for the murder, Horton is sucked into a baffling investigation that he is determined to resolve despite the odds. Not only does he need to find a brutal killer, but Horton now has to prove to himself, and others, that he is still up to the job.
A Killing Coast
I'm often asked how long it takes me to write a crime novel and I usually answer about nine months. I started writing the eighth in the DI Horton series on 13 April 2011 and five revisions later there it is completed, so just over nine months seems to be a comfortable timescale for me and allows me to have one crime novel a year published. I was also pleased to have completed this DI Horton bang on time because I promised my editor he'd have the completed novel in January 2012.
And what does DI Horton get up to in this new crime novel? Ah, you'll have to wait a bit longer to find out. Perhaps when my editor gives the green light on it I'll publish the title and blurb here. Meanwhile, number seven in the series, A Killing Coast, was published this month in hardcover, hopefully that will keep Horton fans satisfied until the next instalment.
A Killing Coast
When a body is found floating in the sea off Portsmouth harbour, Detective Inspector Horton initially judges it to be an accidental death. Soon though, to his dismay, he discovers he’s got it very wrong. Accused of being incompetent by his boss, and with the head of the Major Crime Team coming down heavily on him, Horton wonders if he’s allowed his ongoing investigation into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago to cloud his judgement. With no clear motive for the murder, Horton is sucked into a baffling investigation that he is determined to resolve despite the odds. Not only does he need to find a brutal killer, but Horton now has to prove to himself, and others, that he is still up to the job.
A Killing Coast
January 26, 2012
Publication day for NEW DI Andy Horton crime novel, A Killing Coast
I'm delighted to announce that the seventh in the DI Horton series of Marine Mystery crime novels set in the Solent area on the South Coast of England, A Killing Coast is published in hardcover by Severn House in the UK today, 26 January 2012. It will be published in the USA on 1 May 2012.
I was on BBC Radio Solent this morning at 6.45 to launch the new Horton crime novel, talking to Julian Clegg on his hugely popular breakfast show. It was great fun.
The DI Horton series has received some critical acclaim both in the UK and the USA where I'm flattered and honoured that my writing has been compared to Ed McBain and Joseph Wambaugh and with their British counterparts, including the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.
American Reviewer Booklist says, "Andy Horton is an especially good series hero, a likeable fellow with plenty of street smarts and the requisite personal baggage – an abrasive supervisor and an antagonistic soon-to-be ex-wife. Procedural fans who haven’t already read Rowson should be encouraged to do so in the strongest possible terms."
I've written seven in the DI Horton series and two stand alone thrillers one of which, In Cold Daylight was voted the third most popular novel in an on line poll for World Book Day 2008.
All my crime and thriller novels are available in hardcover, paperback, as e books, on Kindle and Nook and some are available in Large Print and as Audio Books.
A Killing Coast
When a body is found floating in the sea off Portsmouth harbour, Detective Inspector Horton initially judges it to be an accidental death. Soon though, to his dismay, he discovers he’s got it very wrong. Accused of being incompetent by his boss, and with the head of the Major Crime Team coming down heavily on him, Horton wonders if he’s allowed his ongoing investigation into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago to cloud his judgement. With no clear motive for the murder, Horton is sucked into a baffling investigation that he is determined to resolve despite the odds. Not only does he need to find a brutal killer, but Horton now has to prove to himself, and others, that he is still up to the job.
I'll be helping to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February when I will be at Portsmouth Central Library between 10.30am to 12.30pm.
I'll be talking about my marine mystery crime novels and thrillers which are set in the Solent area, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, and there will be the opportunity to win signed copies of my books with a murder mystery quiz hunt for clues around the library, and the chance to be named as a character in one of my forthcoming DI Horton crime novels.
National Libraries Day is a celebration of libraries across the UK. Events and activities will take place in a variety of libraries including in schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the UK in the week leading up to and on National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February.
Tickets cost £3.00 and can be purchased at any library in Portsmouth or by contacting libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
A Killing Coast
I was on BBC Radio Solent this morning at 6.45 to launch the new Horton crime novel, talking to Julian Clegg on his hugely popular breakfast show. It was great fun.
The DI Horton series has received some critical acclaim both in the UK and the USA where I'm flattered and honoured that my writing has been compared to Ed McBain and Joseph Wambaugh and with their British counterparts, including the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.
American Reviewer Booklist says, "Andy Horton is an especially good series hero, a likeable fellow with plenty of street smarts and the requisite personal baggage – an abrasive supervisor and an antagonistic soon-to-be ex-wife. Procedural fans who haven’t already read Rowson should be encouraged to do so in the strongest possible terms."
I've written seven in the DI Horton series and two stand alone thrillers one of which, In Cold Daylight was voted the third most popular novel in an on line poll for World Book Day 2008.
All my crime and thriller novels are available in hardcover, paperback, as e books, on Kindle and Nook and some are available in Large Print and as Audio Books.
A Killing Coast
When a body is found floating in the sea off Portsmouth harbour, Detective Inspector Horton initially judges it to be an accidental death. Soon though, to his dismay, he discovers he’s got it very wrong. Accused of being incompetent by his boss, and with the head of the Major Crime Team coming down heavily on him, Horton wonders if he’s allowed his ongoing investigation into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago to cloud his judgement. With no clear motive for the murder, Horton is sucked into a baffling investigation that he is determined to resolve despite the odds. Not only does he need to find a brutal killer, but Horton now has to prove to himself, and others, that he is still up to the job.
I'll be helping to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February when I will be at Portsmouth Central Library between 10.30am to 12.30pm.
I'll be talking about my marine mystery crime novels and thrillers which are set in the Solent area, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, and there will be the opportunity to win signed copies of my books with a murder mystery quiz hunt for clues around the library, and the chance to be named as a character in one of my forthcoming DI Horton crime novels.
National Libraries Day is a celebration of libraries across the UK. Events and activities will take place in a variety of libraries including in schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the UK in the week leading up to and on National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February.
Tickets cost £3.00 and can be purchased at any library in Portsmouth or by contacting libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
A Killing Coast
January 11, 2012
Delighted to be helping to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February when I will be at Portsmouth Central Library between 10.30am to 12.30pm.
I'm delighted to be involved in helping to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February when I will be at Portsmouth Central Library between 10.30am to 12.30pm.
I'll be talking about my marine mystery crime novels and thrillers which are set in the Solent area, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, and there will be the opportunity to win signed copies of my books with a murder mystery quiz hunt for clues around the library, and the chance to be named as a character in one of my forthcoming DI Horton crime novels.
National Libraries Day is a celebration of libraries across the UK. Events and activities will take place in a variety of libraries including in schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the UK in the week leading up to and on National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February.
I'm a great supporter of libraries. I owe them a debt of gratitude because if it hadn't been for my local library in Portsmouth as a child I doubt I would ever have discovered a life long passion for reading and for writing. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of people and helping the library service to celebrate on 4 February.
Tickets can be purchased at any library in Portsmouth or by contacting libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Tickets cost £3.00.
Pauline Rowson is the author of the popular marine mystery police procedural crime series featuring DI Andy Horton, set on the South Coast of England in the Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Solent area.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series is published by Severn House in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
“Deserves mention in the same breath as the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.” Booklist Starred Review of Footsteps on the Shore
Pauline Rowson's website: http://www.rowmark.co.uk
I'll be talking about my marine mystery crime novels and thrillers which are set in the Solent area, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, and there will be the opportunity to win signed copies of my books with a murder mystery quiz hunt for clues around the library, and the chance to be named as a character in one of my forthcoming DI Horton crime novels.
National Libraries Day is a celebration of libraries across the UK. Events and activities will take place in a variety of libraries including in schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the UK in the week leading up to and on National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February.
I'm a great supporter of libraries. I owe them a debt of gratitude because if it hadn't been for my local library in Portsmouth as a child I doubt I would ever have discovered a life long passion for reading and for writing. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of people and helping the library service to celebrate on 4 February.
Tickets can be purchased at any library in Portsmouth or by contacting libraries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Tickets cost £3.00.
Pauline Rowson is the author of the popular marine mystery police procedural crime series featuring DI Andy Horton, set on the South Coast of England in the Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Solent area.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series is published by Severn House in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
“Deserves mention in the same breath as the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.” Booklist Starred Review of Footsteps on the Shore
Pauline Rowson's website: http://www.rowmark.co.uk
January 2, 2012
Blood on the Sand, A DI Horton crime novel by Pauline Rowson now available in Large Print
Blood on the Sand has been published in Large Print format by Severn House. It is the fifth in the marine mystery series of police procedural crime novels featuring the flawed and rugged DI Andy Horton..
It is already available in hardcover, trade paperback, mass market paperback and as an e book, on Kindle and Nook. The unabridged audio book version was published in 2011 by Isis Publishing and and is read by the accomplished actor, Gordon Griffin.
Blood on the Sand is published in the UK and the USA by Severn House and has received rave reviews in the States.
Reviewer Booklist says: 'This is another solid entry in a consistently well written series. Like Ed McBain, Rowson works many subtle variations on the procedural formula (including very interesting relationships between Andy and a couple of his superiors). A definite winner in the crowded field of British procedurals.'
"Inspector Andy Horton’s holiday peace is shattered when stepping out across an abandoned golf course on the Isle of Wight on a cold, grey January, he finds himself facing a distraught young woman with a gun in her hand leaning over a corpse in one of the discarded bunkers. When she professes to be the dead man’s sister and psychic, Horton’s old adversary, DCI Birch, is convinced she is mentally disturbed and the killer, but Horton is not so sure. Soon he is uncovering a web of intrigue that ripples down the years, and which someone is determined should never be revealed."
The DI Horton marine mystery police procedural crime series is set on the South Coast of England in the Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Solent area.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series is published in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
“Deserves mention in the same breath as the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.” Booklist Starred Review of Footsteps on the Shore
Blood on the Sand
A Killing Coast
It is already available in hardcover, trade paperback, mass market paperback and as an e book, on Kindle and Nook. The unabridged audio book version was published in 2011 by Isis Publishing and and is read by the accomplished actor, Gordon Griffin.
Blood on the Sand is published in the UK and the USA by Severn House and has received rave reviews in the States.
Reviewer Booklist says: 'This is another solid entry in a consistently well written series. Like Ed McBain, Rowson works many subtle variations on the procedural formula (including very interesting relationships between Andy and a couple of his superiors). A definite winner in the crowded field of British procedurals.'
"Inspector Andy Horton’s holiday peace is shattered when stepping out across an abandoned golf course on the Isle of Wight on a cold, grey January, he finds himself facing a distraught young woman with a gun in her hand leaning over a corpse in one of the discarded bunkers. When she professes to be the dead man’s sister and psychic, Horton’s old adversary, DCI Birch, is convinced she is mentally disturbed and the killer, but Horton is not so sure. Soon he is uncovering a web of intrigue that ripples down the years, and which someone is determined should never be revealed."
The DI Horton marine mystery police procedural crime series is set on the South Coast of England in the Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Solent area.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series is published in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
“Deserves mention in the same breath as the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey.” Booklist Starred Review of Footsteps on the Shore
Blood on the Sand
A Killing Coast
2012- New DI Andy Horton crime novel, talks, guest appearances and media interviews lined up
The New Year and 2012 promises to be an exciting year with lots already lined up. It begins with the publication in the UK on 26 January of the NEW DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel, the seventh in the DI Horton series, A Killing Coast. Publication in America follows on 1 May 2012.
A Killing Coast, is published in the UK and USA in hardcover by Severn House.
In February I will be helping to celebrate the library service in the UK and supporting them on Saturday 4 February on National Libraries Day when I will be appearing at Portsmouth Central Library 10.30am to 12.30pm to talk about my crime novels and thrillers. And there are some exciting competitions and events organised for this fun packed morning. More details to follow soon.
In April I will once again be travelling to London and the London Book Fair from 16-18 April where I will be meeting my publisher, agents, readers and others in the publishing world and book trade.
Then on 9 May at Basingstoke & Old Basing U3A I will be providing an insight into my marine mystery crime and thriller novels, set in the Solent area. I'll be giving a talk and book signing.
And on May 24-27 I will be appearing at Crimefest 2012 in Bristol.
More events, media appearances, talks and book news will be added here and to the Calendar of Events for 2012 on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk You can also sign up to receive my free e newsletter to keep you up to date with all my book related news.
Meanwhile I'm putting the finishing touches to the next and eighth in the DI Andy Horton series.
Wishing all my readers a very happy, healthy, and successful 2012.
A Killing Coast, is published in the UK and USA in hardcover by Severn House.
In February I will be helping to celebrate the library service in the UK and supporting them on Saturday 4 February on National Libraries Day when I will be appearing at Portsmouth Central Library 10.30am to 12.30pm to talk about my crime novels and thrillers. And there are some exciting competitions and events organised for this fun packed morning. More details to follow soon.
In April I will once again be travelling to London and the London Book Fair from 16-18 April where I will be meeting my publisher, agents, readers and others in the publishing world and book trade.
Then on 9 May at Basingstoke & Old Basing U3A I will be providing an insight into my marine mystery crime and thriller novels, set in the Solent area. I'll be giving a talk and book signing.
And on May 24-27 I will be appearing at Crimefest 2012 in Bristol.
More events, media appearances, talks and book news will be added here and to the Calendar of Events for 2012 on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk You can also sign up to receive my free e newsletter to keep you up to date with all my book related news.
Meanwhile I'm putting the finishing touches to the next and eighth in the DI Andy Horton series.
Wishing all my readers a very happy, healthy, and successful 2012.
December 29, 2011
Crime author Pauline Rowson looks back over the highlights of 2011
With the New Year almost upon us it's that time of year to take a look back over the events of 2011, and for me it's been a busy and productive year.
January saw the launch of the second Crime Writers’ Association Young Crime Writers Competition 2011. I was the judge of the South Coast entries with the winner going forward for the National prize which was announced during National Crime Writing Week 13 - 19 June.
During January my media appearances included an interview with Sally Cronin on Portsmouth Live TV, with Julian Clegg on BBC Radio Solent and with Darren Gamblen on Express FM 93.7FM.
On the book front January saw the publication of another Inspector Andy Horton crime novel. Footsteps On The Shore, the sixth in the Inspector Andy Horton series was published in hardback by Severn House both in the UK and in the USA where it received great reviews.
February kicked off with another media interview on Express FM (93.7FM) when I was on the Terry In The Afternoon Show, and on 24 February Dead Man's Wharf (the fourth in the Inspector Andy Horton series)was published by Severn House in Large Print
More media interviews followed in March on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent and there was a trip over the Isle of Wight to be interviewed by David Nove on Angel Radio.
Dead Man's Wharf, hailed as 'an exemplary procedural' in the USA was published in mass market paperback.
April saw the publication of Blood on the Sand, number five in the DI Andy Horton series in mass market paperback. Also in April there was a visit to the London Book Fair and following this on Sunday 17 April I gave a talk on what inspires me to write my marine mystery crime novels at the Isle of Wight Festival, Ventnor.
In addition, in April came the announcement of the winner of the Young Crime Writers' Competition and the presentation of prizes and certificates at Portsmouth Central Library. George Neame, the southern area winner of the CWA Young Crime Writers Competition received a certificate, a £10 book token and a copy of two DI Andy Horton crime novels.
In May I appeared on the Book Programme on Live @ Five on Portsmouth Live TV and again on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent.My public appearances included at talk given to the The Probus Club of Havant where I talked about the inspiration behind my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series and how I write my crime and thriller novels.
May also saw the annual crime convention - CrimeFest where I was on a panel and met up with DI Andy Horton fans from as far afield as America and Australia, other crime authors and my publisher.
13- 19 June was National Crime Writing Week, organised by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain (CWA), of which I am a member. During the week I ran a Crime Writing Workshop at Quay Arts Centre on the Isle of Wight.
Then on June 20 it was another trip across the Solent to Newport on the Isle of Wight to present prizes to the winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Crime Writing Competition.
I also appeared on the Alex Dyke Show on BBC Radio Solent.
In August Footsteps on the Shore, number six in the DI Horton series, was published in paperback, and in September it was published as an e book and on Kindle.
Also in September, I appeared on Portsmouth Live TV on the Adrian and Sally Show when I was joined by Fingerprint expert, Jane Aston from Hampshire Constabulary.
In October came appearances on BBC Radio Solent, Express FM Radio, Vectis Radio IOW, and on Angel Radio talking to David Nove with fellow crime authors Bob and Carol Bridgestock who also appeared with me at CSI Portsmouth in November.
November brought with it the highly successful annual event: CSI Portsmouth where crime fact meets crime fiction. This was held on Saturday 5 November during Portsmouth BookFest.
I gave a talk on 'Writing the Crime Novel,' and appeared on a panel with Mark Billingham, John Harvey and Michael Ridpath and with police and forensic experts. It was a great day.
Other public appearances during the month included a very successful talk at the U3A Sarum, Salisbury meeting on 16 November.
In December Blood on the Sand, the fifth in the DI Horton series was published in Large Print by Severn House. And once again I was delighted to be one of Julian Clegg's guests at his Christmas Party on 23 December.
All in all a very productive and successful year. Looking forward to 2012 with lots more talks, media interviews and guest appearances coming up, and of course the publication of more crime novels starting with the NEW DI Andy Horton marine mystery police procedural crime novel, number seven in this popular series: A Killing Coast published on 26 January 2012.
Wishing all my readers and very happy, healthy and successful 2012.
A Killing Coast
January saw the launch of the second Crime Writers’ Association Young Crime Writers Competition 2011. I was the judge of the South Coast entries with the winner going forward for the National prize which was announced during National Crime Writing Week 13 - 19 June.
During January my media appearances included an interview with Sally Cronin on Portsmouth Live TV, with Julian Clegg on BBC Radio Solent and with Darren Gamblen on Express FM 93.7FM.
On the book front January saw the publication of another Inspector Andy Horton crime novel. Footsteps On The Shore, the sixth in the Inspector Andy Horton series was published in hardback by Severn House both in the UK and in the USA where it received great reviews.
February kicked off with another media interview on Express FM (93.7FM) when I was on the Terry In The Afternoon Show, and on 24 February Dead Man's Wharf (the fourth in the Inspector Andy Horton series)was published by Severn House in Large Print
More media interviews followed in March on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent and there was a trip over the Isle of Wight to be interviewed by David Nove on Angel Radio.
Dead Man's Wharf, hailed as 'an exemplary procedural' in the USA was published in mass market paperback.
April saw the publication of Blood on the Sand, number five in the DI Andy Horton series in mass market paperback. Also in April there was a visit to the London Book Fair and following this on Sunday 17 April I gave a talk on what inspires me to write my marine mystery crime novels at the Isle of Wight Festival, Ventnor.
In addition, in April came the announcement of the winner of the Young Crime Writers' Competition and the presentation of prizes and certificates at Portsmouth Central Library. George Neame, the southern area winner of the CWA Young Crime Writers Competition received a certificate, a £10 book token and a copy of two DI Andy Horton crime novels.
In May I appeared on the Book Programme on Live @ Five on Portsmouth Live TV and again on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent.My public appearances included at talk given to the The Probus Club of Havant where I talked about the inspiration behind my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series and how I write my crime and thriller novels.
May also saw the annual crime convention - CrimeFest where I was on a panel and met up with DI Andy Horton fans from as far afield as America and Australia, other crime authors and my publisher.
13- 19 June was National Crime Writing Week, organised by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain (CWA), of which I am a member. During the week I ran a Crime Writing Workshop at Quay Arts Centre on the Isle of Wight.
Then on June 20 it was another trip across the Solent to Newport on the Isle of Wight to present prizes to the winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Crime Writing Competition.
I also appeared on the Alex Dyke Show on BBC Radio Solent.
In August Footsteps on the Shore, number six in the DI Horton series, was published in paperback, and in September it was published as an e book and on Kindle.
Also in September, I appeared on Portsmouth Live TV on the Adrian and Sally Show when I was joined by Fingerprint expert, Jane Aston from Hampshire Constabulary.
In October came appearances on BBC Radio Solent, Express FM Radio, Vectis Radio IOW, and on Angel Radio talking to David Nove with fellow crime authors Bob and Carol Bridgestock who also appeared with me at CSI Portsmouth in November.
November brought with it the highly successful annual event: CSI Portsmouth where crime fact meets crime fiction. This was held on Saturday 5 November during Portsmouth BookFest.
I gave a talk on 'Writing the Crime Novel,' and appeared on a panel with Mark Billingham, John Harvey and Michael Ridpath and with police and forensic experts. It was a great day.
Other public appearances during the month included a very successful talk at the U3A Sarum, Salisbury meeting on 16 November.
In December Blood on the Sand, the fifth in the DI Horton series was published in Large Print by Severn House. And once again I was delighted to be one of Julian Clegg's guests at his Christmas Party on 23 December.
All in all a very productive and successful year. Looking forward to 2012 with lots more talks, media interviews and guest appearances coming up, and of course the publication of more crime novels starting with the NEW DI Andy Horton marine mystery police procedural crime novel, number seven in this popular series: A Killing Coast published on 26 January 2012.
Wishing all my readers and very happy, healthy and successful 2012.
A Killing Coast
December 21, 2011
Had a great time presenting certificates to the adult winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Winter Short Story Competition
Had a great time presenting certificates and prizes to the adult winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Winter Short Story Competition at an Awards Ceremony held at Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday 20 December.
It was lovely to see so many people, particularly young people, enjoying the craft of writing. Thanks to the Wight Fair Writers Circle and to fellow crime authors Bob and Carol Bridgestock for inviting me to present the certificates and to Wightlink who sponsored my travel to the Isle of Wight.
Photos on my web site blog at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
It was lovely to see so many people, particularly young people, enjoying the craft of writing. Thanks to the Wight Fair Writers Circle and to fellow crime authors Bob and Carol Bridgestock for inviting me to present the certificates and to Wightlink who sponsored my travel to the Isle of Wight.
Photos on my web site blog at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
