Events and nerves

The season of events is upon us, and I'm very glad to welcome it along. 

I love doing talks about the tvdetective books, for a couple of main reasons. It gives me a great opportunity to visit new places, but it's a particular pleasure for getting to meet readers. They're so very kind and complimentary about my scribblings, which is highly reassuring because many are the days I doubt whether my work is worth troubling the world of publishing.

They also help me learn, by telling me what they like and don't like in books, and I'm grateful for that. I count myself a newcomer to this writing lark, but a mere child in class really, and so am appreciative of any tips for trying to get better at it.

I'm doing an event on Saturday (14th May) in St Austell.  It looks to be a very interesting one, with some fine writers offering hints about how to become an author (should you be so interested in the peculiar profession), plus a bit of waffle from yours truly, and a panel event to round up the day. 

There are more details on the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html   I'll also post information about other gigs as we go through the summer.

Finally for this ramble, an answer to a question I'm commonly asked - do I get nervous doing talks about the books?

Yes is the resounding answer!  And curiously more so than being on the television, no matter how many times the number of people may be watching there.

As to why, I think it's because a TV camera, for all its intimidating power, doesn't yawn and fall asleep if you're boring it, or start to mutter, rebel and throw items of rotten fruit, whereas a live audience...