Pauline Rowson's Blog, page 73
December 19, 2011
Looking forward to presenting the prizes to winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Short Story Competition
I will be presenting prizes and certificates to the winners and runners up of the Wight Fair Writers Circle for their Winter Short Story Writing Competition at an awards ceremony on the Isle of Wight on 20 December.
This is the second year I have been asked to present the prizes and I'm looking forward to it.The ceremony is being held at Newport Minister. There are some great prizes on offer as well as the winners being published in the County Press and interviewed on radio.
All proceeds are going to charity which includes The Ellen Macarthur Trust and The Diabetic Society. And I'd like to thank Wightlink for sponsoring my travel from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight.
I hope to post some photographs here from the event.
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 in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
She is also the author of two standalone thrillers, In Cold Daylight, which came third in an on line poll of the UK's most favourite books for World Book Day and In For The Kill.
This is the second year I have been asked to present the prizes and I'm looking forward to it.The ceremony is being held at Newport Minister. There are some great prizes on offer as well as the winners being published in the County Press and interviewed on radio.
All proceeds are going to charity which includes The Ellen Macarthur Trust and The Diabetic Society. And I'd like to thank Wightlink for sponsoring my travel from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight.
I hope to post some photographs here from the event.
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 in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.
She is also the author of two standalone thrillers, In Cold Daylight, which came third in an on line poll of the UK's most favourite books for World Book Day and In For The Kill.
December 13, 2011
Two new book reviews from Australia, for Dead Man's Wharf the fourth in the DI Andy Horton series of crime novels.
It's always nice to receive good reviews from readers, though not always possible, of course. So, I was pleased to receive this from Australia, for Dead Man's Wharf the fourth in the DI Andy Horton series of crime novels.
"Pauline Rowson has the ability to make you want to keep reading, to find out the answers to the growing pile of questions. Those who enjoy British crime fiction will enjoy this series. The Portsmouth setting gives it a unique flavour."
"Pauline Rowson is able to develop a complex plot from seemingly simple roots. The plot keeps branching, element upon element being added, and Rowson does a good job of keeping tabs on them all."
http://paradise-mysteries.blogspot.co...
Dead Man's Wharf
Horton and Cantelli are called to a nursing home where an elderly resident, suffering from dementia, claims she's been attacked by an intruder. Horton is ready to dismiss it as senile ramblings until he discovers that her room-mate has died, the dead woman's belongings are missing and her son, convicted for armed robbery, has been found dead in his cell. As if this isn't enough, Horton also has to deal with a series of threatening telephone calls to a television personality, and a mother's conviction that her son's death on Christmas Eve was no accident. Soon, to his surprise, Horton finds he is caught up in a complex investigation that has far-reaching international implications. With the pressure on to find a killer, and hampered by his belief that his bosses are lying to him, Horton discovers that he's stepped into a web of intrigue, deception and corruption that stretches back into the past.
Available in paperback
£6.99
ISBN 9780955098253
352 pages
Also available as an unabridged audio book, e book, Kindle, Large Print.
From all good bookstores, on line and available on loan from libraries in the UK, USA and the Commonwealth
Dead Man's Wharf
"Pauline Rowson has the ability to make you want to keep reading, to find out the answers to the growing pile of questions. Those who enjoy British crime fiction will enjoy this series. The Portsmouth setting gives it a unique flavour."
"Pauline Rowson is able to develop a complex plot from seemingly simple roots. The plot keeps branching, element upon element being added, and Rowson does a good job of keeping tabs on them all."
http://paradise-mysteries.blogspot.co...
Dead Man's Wharf
Horton and Cantelli are called to a nursing home where an elderly resident, suffering from dementia, claims she's been attacked by an intruder. Horton is ready to dismiss it as senile ramblings until he discovers that her room-mate has died, the dead woman's belongings are missing and her son, convicted for armed robbery, has been found dead in his cell. As if this isn't enough, Horton also has to deal with a series of threatening telephone calls to a television personality, and a mother's conviction that her son's death on Christmas Eve was no accident. Soon, to his surprise, Horton finds he is caught up in a complex investigation that has far-reaching international implications. With the pressure on to find a killer, and hampered by his belief that his bosses are lying to him, Horton discovers that he's stepped into a web of intrigue, deception and corruption that stretches back into the past.
Available in paperback
£6.99
ISBN 9780955098253
352 pages
Also available as an unabridged audio book, e book, Kindle, Large Print.
From all good bookstores, on line and available on loan from libraries in the UK, USA and the Commonwealth
Dead Man's Wharf
December 6, 2011
How do you come up with titles for your crime novels?
With great difficulty or considerable ease is the answer. Some titles can come instantly, almost the moment the novel hits the page (or rather the computer screen) Dead Man's Wharf was one such case. Others are like pregnancy, taking months to develop and even when the novel is finished I might still have no idea for a suitable title. A bit like the Horton novel I'm currently working on, number eight in the series. I'm on third revisions and still no idea what the title of the novel will be.
It doesn’t matter when the title comes to me though, what does is that it must suit the novel, and if possible be memorable, although in my experience people rarely remember the title of a novel unless it's been made into a film or a television series.
Occasionally the publisher will help with the title, or can suggest changing it to one they think more appealing or suitable. And titles are often changed in translation to suit the country, and sometimes even when it is an English speaking country but with different spellings of a word. For example, Deadly Waters started out as Deadly Harbour but was changed because of publication in America where 'harbour' is spelt 'harbor.'
There are many different types of crime novel so equally there are many different types of crime novel titles. The title needs to reflect the mood of the book, as well as its structure and tone.
The Suffocating Sea conjures up the body on the burning boat in a marina on a foggy November night and how Horton feels as the novel progresses and he begins to discover some uncomfortable things about his mother's past.
Tide of Death represents the body washed up on the tide and how one death triggers a series as the killer gets more and more desperate to cover his tracks. Blood on the Sand, reflects the bloody body found in the sand of a bunker on an abandoned golf course on the Isle of Wight and Footsteps on the Shore the fact that Horton is being stalked.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series, is published on 26 January. This title reflects the fact that the novel is set partly in Portsmouth and partly on the coast of the Isle of Wight across the Solent from the city of Portsmouth, where Horton is based in CID.
All the DI Horton marine mystery crime novels have a ‘sea’ element to the title to reflect their setting and reinforce their branding as marine mysteries. The stand alone thrillers are slightly different. Even though these too are set against the backdrop of the sea it wasn't so essential to reflect this in the title.
In For The Kill was a title that sprang instantly to mind as Alex Albury will fight to the bitter end to discover the identity of the man who stole his identity, framed him and destroyed his comfortable life and reputation. He is out to kill or be killed.
In Cold Daylight started out as The Cold Light of Day. The title represents the fact that Adam Greene, the reluctant hero, emerges from the story a different man than when he started. His journey forces him to relive past traumas and face up to the shame of his mental breakdown on a quest that was forced upon him to discover the truth behind the death of his friend, fire-fighter Jack Bartholomew and several of his colleagues of cancer.
Titles do matter because people can choose a book because of its title, and the look of the cover, especially if it is a new author for them, and one that hasn't necessarily been recommended by someone. And if the book becomes a treasured one then the title will stick, even if the name of the author has been forgotten.
Now it's time to get back to DI Andy Horton number eight and hope that soon a title will come to me.
Blood on the Sand
It doesn’t matter when the title comes to me though, what does is that it must suit the novel, and if possible be memorable, although in my experience people rarely remember the title of a novel unless it's been made into a film or a television series.
Occasionally the publisher will help with the title, or can suggest changing it to one they think more appealing or suitable. And titles are often changed in translation to suit the country, and sometimes even when it is an English speaking country but with different spellings of a word. For example, Deadly Waters started out as Deadly Harbour but was changed because of publication in America where 'harbour' is spelt 'harbor.'
There are many different types of crime novel so equally there are many different types of crime novel titles. The title needs to reflect the mood of the book, as well as its structure and tone.
The Suffocating Sea conjures up the body on the burning boat in a marina on a foggy November night and how Horton feels as the novel progresses and he begins to discover some uncomfortable things about his mother's past.
Tide of Death represents the body washed up on the tide and how one death triggers a series as the killer gets more and more desperate to cover his tracks. Blood on the Sand, reflects the bloody body found in the sand of a bunker on an abandoned golf course on the Isle of Wight and Footsteps on the Shore the fact that Horton is being stalked.
A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series, is published on 26 January. This title reflects the fact that the novel is set partly in Portsmouth and partly on the coast of the Isle of Wight across the Solent from the city of Portsmouth, where Horton is based in CID.
All the DI Horton marine mystery crime novels have a ‘sea’ element to the title to reflect their setting and reinforce their branding as marine mysteries. The stand alone thrillers are slightly different. Even though these too are set against the backdrop of the sea it wasn't so essential to reflect this in the title.
In For The Kill was a title that sprang instantly to mind as Alex Albury will fight to the bitter end to discover the identity of the man who stole his identity, framed him and destroyed his comfortable life and reputation. He is out to kill or be killed.
In Cold Daylight started out as The Cold Light of Day. The title represents the fact that Adam Greene, the reluctant hero, emerges from the story a different man than when he started. His journey forces him to relive past traumas and face up to the shame of his mental breakdown on a quest that was forced upon him to discover the truth behind the death of his friend, fire-fighter Jack Bartholomew and several of his colleagues of cancer.
Titles do matter because people can choose a book because of its title, and the look of the cover, especially if it is a new author for them, and one that hasn't necessarily been recommended by someone. And if the book becomes a treasured one then the title will stick, even if the name of the author has been forgotten.
Now it's time to get back to DI Andy Horton number eight and hope that soon a title will come to me.
Blood on the Sand
November 29, 2011
Finished checking proofs for A Killing Coast, no. 7 in the DI Horton series, publication 26 January 2012
Last week I finished reading the proofs for A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Andy Horton crime series due for publication in the UK in hardcover on 26 January and in the USA in May 2012.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product and receiving my author copies. It's always a thrill to see the fruits of your labour in print.
A Killing Coast is available for pre-order on Amazon and The Book Depository at a specially reduced price. It will also be available in UK Libraries from January and in libraries in the USA from May onwards.
Like the others in the Horton series it is set on the South Coast of England in Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Horton has a new crime mystery to solve and in A Killing Coast he also delves further into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago.
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 looking forward to seeing the finished product and receiving my author copies. It's always a thrill to see the fruits of your labour in print.
A Killing Coast is available for pre-order on Amazon and The Book Depository at a specially reduced price. It will also be available in UK Libraries from January and in libraries in the USA from May onwards.
Like the others in the Horton series it is set on the South Coast of England in Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Horton has a new crime mystery to solve and in A Killing Coast he also delves further into the disappearance of his mother over thirty years ago.
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
November 28, 2011
Third revision of DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel no. 8 finished, started on fourth revision
I have finished the third revisions of the DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel number eight in the series and have now started on the fourth revision.
The third revision consisted of firming up the ending and making sure I had the right killer? in the right place at the right time and for the right reason! The fourth revision will now consist of ensuring that all the clues are in the correct place, all the questions are answered and everything ties in. Following this it will be the fifth and hopefully final revisions to check that each phrase and word used is the right one before I send it to my editor. My deadline is January.
I started work on this DI Andy Horton police procedural crime novel on 13 April 2011 and it took me four months to write the first draft. The second revision took me two months and the third six weeks. I have nine weeks until the end of January, so plenty of time, and fingers crossed and a fair wind I will complete it (and be happy with it) before then. So on with the revisions.
The third revision consisted of firming up the ending and making sure I had the right killer? in the right place at the right time and for the right reason! The fourth revision will now consist of ensuring that all the clues are in the correct place, all the questions are answered and everything ties in. Following this it will be the fifth and hopefully final revisions to check that each phrase and word used is the right one before I send it to my editor. My deadline is January.
I started work on this DI Andy Horton police procedural crime novel on 13 April 2011 and it took me four months to write the first draft. The second revision took me two months and the third six weeks. I have nine weeks until the end of January, so plenty of time, and fingers crossed and a fair wind I will complete it (and be happy with it) before then. So on with the revisions.
November 19, 2011
The new DI Horton, A Killing Coast, by Pauline Rowson to be published in January
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 by Pauline Rowson is to be published in hardcover by Severn House in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA in May 2012.
I've now written seven novels 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.
I'm currently writing the eighth in the DI Horton series.
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.
It is available to pre-order on Amazon, The Book Depository and in UK bookshops. Also available on loan from libraries in the UK and the USA.
You can see more details on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
I've now written seven novels 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.
I'm currently writing the eighth in the DI Horton series.
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.
It is available to pre-order on Amazon, The Book Depository and in UK bookshops. Also available on loan from libraries in the UK and the USA.
You can see more details on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
November 13, 2011
Pauline Rowson to speak at U3A meeting about her crime novels
I'm looking forward to giving a talk this week on 16 November at the U3A group at Sarum, near Salisbury on how I write my crime novels and thrillers and about my DI Andy Horton marine mystery series of crime novels.
I've given quite a few talks to U3A groups around the country and really enjoy them. They are always such a delightful and receptive audience and I am looking forward to entertaining the U3A Sarum members on Wednesday. I've also got a couple more U3As lined up for next year. You can find out more about U3A on their web site, but briefly U3A stands for the University of the Third Age. It is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. There are local U3As all over the UK.
While many fear public speaking I really thrive on it, guess it comes from my background in marketing and as a trainer and professional conference speaker.
I am always keen to speak to groups including retirement associations, charities, and at libraries, Women's Institutes, to Reading Groups, professional organisations and at conferences and literary and book festivals so if you have an event and would like a speaker please do get in touch. You can also find out more about my public speaking engagements on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
I've given quite a few talks to U3A groups around the country and really enjoy them. They are always such a delightful and receptive audience and I am looking forward to entertaining the U3A Sarum members on Wednesday. I've also got a couple more U3As lined up for next year. You can find out more about U3A on their web site, but briefly U3A stands for the University of the Third Age. It is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. There are local U3As all over the UK.
While many fear public speaking I really thrive on it, guess it comes from my background in marketing and as a trainer and professional conference speaker.
I am always keen to speak to groups including retirement associations, charities, and at libraries, Women's Institutes, to Reading Groups, professional organisations and at conferences and literary and book festivals so if you have an event and would like a speaker please do get in touch. You can also find out more about my public speaking engagements on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
November 7, 2011
CSI Portsmouth 2011 was voted a great day's entertainment
CSI Portsmouth 2011 held on Saturday 5 November at the John Pounds Centre, Portsmouth, England was voted a great day's entertainment by the people who attended it. Over a hundred people attended the packed morning programme of talks and a hundred and fifteen the afternoon panel debate.
The morning programme consisted of talks from former Detective Superintendent and crime writer Bob Bridgestock, fingerprint expert Jane Aston from Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau, Lucy Wainwright, forensic psychologist from the University of Portsmouth International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology and crime author Pauline Rowson on Writing A Crime Novel.
Also at CSI Portsmouth for the day, the girls from the Fingerprint Bureau, Emma and Kerrie.
More about the afternoon panel debate on tomorrow's blog.
CSI Portsmouth was launched in 2010 and is part of Portsmouth BookFest, a festival of popular literature. It is organised by Pauline Rowson in conjunction with The Hayling Island Bookshop and Portsmouth City Libraries.
Make a diary note for CSI Portsmouth 2012, which will take place on Saturday 3 November for a great line up of crime authors and crime experts for an even bigger event.
Footsteps on the Shore
The morning programme consisted of talks from former Detective Superintendent and crime writer Bob Bridgestock, fingerprint expert Jane Aston from Hampshire Police Fingerprint Bureau, Lucy Wainwright, forensic psychologist from the University of Portsmouth International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology and crime author Pauline Rowson on Writing A Crime Novel.
Also at CSI Portsmouth for the day, the girls from the Fingerprint Bureau, Emma and Kerrie.
More about the afternoon panel debate on tomorrow's blog.
CSI Portsmouth was launched in 2010 and is part of Portsmouth BookFest, a festival of popular literature. It is organised by Pauline Rowson in conjunction with The Hayling Island Bookshop and Portsmouth City Libraries.
Make a diary note for CSI Portsmouth 2012, which will take place on Saturday 3 November for a great line up of crime authors and crime experts for an even bigger event.
Footsteps on the Shore
October 31, 2011
With Murder in Mind - Research for crime novels
Us crime writers are a gruesome bunch, we're always looking for new and often subtle ways to kill someone. I'm frequently asked how I research my crime novels for this sort of information. Well, in addition to talking to the experts I also use an excellent and very handy little book called "The Crime Writer's Handbook- 65 ways to kill your victim - in print" written by Douglas Wynn.
And I refer to a very excellent blog called The Writers Forensic Blog. On this blog I came across an interesting and highly informative article that actually coincided with the DI Andy Horton Marine Mystery Police Procedural crime novel I am currently writing, number eight in the Horton series, which is how to kill someone by inducing an extreme allergic reaction.
The blog answers the question - Will Ingestion of Bee Venom Kill Someone Who Is Allergic To It? I'll let you read the answer on the Writers Forensic Blog for yourself. And I'm not going to give away any of the plot in my DI Horton crime novel only to say it does not concern Bee venom. You'll have to wait to read it when it is published. I'm not sure yet when that will be but meanwhile DI Andy Horton number seven in the series called A Killing Coast will be published by Severn House on 26 January 2012.
If you want to know more about Writing A Crime Novel, then I am giving two talks at CSI Portsmouth 2011 event on Saturday 5 November at John Pounds Centre, Portsea. on the subject
Join CSI Portsmouth 2011 for a packed programme of crime at:
John Pounds Community Centre, Portsmouth
23 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3HN
Telephone Number: 023 9289 2010
http://www.johnpoundscentre.co.uk/how...
Saturday 5th November 2011 10am – 5pm.
CSI Portsmouth tickets on sale from the Box Office + 44 (0)23 9268 8685.
Tickets cost £5 for the morning and £7 for the afternoon with a discounted ticket of £10 for the whole day and includes £3 off the price of a book bought at the event.
More information on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
And I refer to a very excellent blog called The Writers Forensic Blog. On this blog I came across an interesting and highly informative article that actually coincided with the DI Andy Horton Marine Mystery Police Procedural crime novel I am currently writing, number eight in the Horton series, which is how to kill someone by inducing an extreme allergic reaction.
The blog answers the question - Will Ingestion of Bee Venom Kill Someone Who Is Allergic To It? I'll let you read the answer on the Writers Forensic Blog for yourself. And I'm not going to give away any of the plot in my DI Horton crime novel only to say it does not concern Bee venom. You'll have to wait to read it when it is published. I'm not sure yet when that will be but meanwhile DI Andy Horton number seven in the series called A Killing Coast will be published by Severn House on 26 January 2012.
If you want to know more about Writing A Crime Novel, then I am giving two talks at CSI Portsmouth 2011 event on Saturday 5 November at John Pounds Centre, Portsea. on the subject
Join CSI Portsmouth 2011 for a packed programme of crime at:
John Pounds Community Centre, Portsmouth
23 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3HN
Telephone Number: 023 9289 2010
http://www.johnpoundscentre.co.uk/how...
Saturday 5th November 2011 10am – 5pm.
CSI Portsmouth tickets on sale from the Box Office + 44 (0)23 9268 8685.
Tickets cost £5 for the morning and £7 for the afternoon with a discounted ticket of £10 for the whole day and includes £3 off the price of a book bought at the event.
More information on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
October 25, 2011
Express FM Interview was great fun, next up is BBC Radio Solent on 2 November
Had a great time on the radio yesterday talking to Adrian Knight of Express FM on his breakfast show. It was a lovely interview with lots of laughs and a bit of a chat in between, talking about my DI Horton crime novels set in Portsmouth and the Solent area and the forthcoming CSI Portsmouth event on Saturday 5 November at John Pounds Centre, Portsmouth.
Next up is the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent 2 November at 6.45am. It is always a great pleasure and delight talking to Julian. I'm looking forward to it.
Dead Man's Wharf
Next up is the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent 2 November at 6.45am. It is always a great pleasure and delight talking to Julian. I'm looking forward to it.
Dead Man's Wharf
