August newsletter: What’s next for Marjorie Swallow?
Thank you for the kind comments about Murder On The White Cliffs, the sixth Marjorie Swallow mystery. I’m delighted that it’s gone down so well.
To celebrate publication, I enjoyed a tea at an old-fashioned hotel near Broadstairs, the Walpole Bay Hotel. It had a lot of the original 1920s fixtures and fittings, and I think Marjorie would have felt very much at home there!
Congratulations to Lalita, who won a signed copy of the book for her heatwave suggestions.
If you’ve read the book, you’ll know that this is the last Marjorie Swallow book for a while. Why? Well, after six books in two years, I need a break. I don’t want to get stale, or write a book that you won’t enjoy as much as the others.
I think Marjorie will be back (I’m too fond of her to say goodbye forever!) but I’m having a little break from writing fiction, while I work on another project. I’ll let you know how that goes.
In the meantime, I would be so grateful if you would leave a review of Murder On The White Cliffs online – for example on GoodReads or Amazon. Reviews make a big difference to independent authors and help other readers to find my books.
Read on for all my news, reading recommendations and promotions.
How to find your readers!
In September I’m teaming up with best-selling author and Instagram star Jess Bolton, for a workshop on marketing for authors. This came about after Jess and I were asked to speak about marketing to the Writers In Oxford group in March. We had a great session with lots of questions and realised that between us we have a lot of expertise!
We decided to create a full day’s workshop for any authors who want to find the readers who will love their books. The event will cover the basics of marketing for authors, and take a look at newsletters, paid advertising and social media. It will be held in London on 14 September.
Lots of writers say the marketing is the hardest part of being an author – but it doesn’t have to be!
News
I’ve been interviewed and written guest posts for a couple of excellent mystery writer blogs this month, as part of publicity for the new book. Sarah Zama, who writes 1920s mysteries set in Italy, interviewed me and reviewed Murder On The White Cliffs on her blog. You can read the interview here and her review here.
Kate Jackson, a prolific Golden Age crime reviewer whose hilarious book How To Survive A Classic Crime Novel is published by the British Library, invited me to write a guest post on why I write 1920s mysteries. The post is here.
Meanwhile, I’ve signed off the latest Marjorie Swallow audiobook, Death At Chelsea, so the first three books in the Marjorie Swallow series are now available to listen, as well as the prequel Murder At The Ritz. Do let me know what you think of the audiobooks; I hope to get the rest recorded later this year.
Recommendations
Rosie Hunt has a new book out in her Lady Felicity Quick series, Murder In The Castle. Here’s the juice:
A remote English castle. A decades-old family rift. And a deadly apple crumble. Can a bold young sleuth uncover the truth to heal the past and protect her future with the man she loves? England, 1922. Celebrated detective Lady Felicity Quick dreams of marrying gallant journalist Mr Alexander Cooper. But before they can make their courtship official, there’s a family tradition to fulfil — and a long-held grudge to unravel… As a step towards upholding the ancient custom, Felicity must meet her Great-Aunt Winnifred for the first time. Rumoured to commune with spirits, the estranged aunt inhabits a foreboding fortress surrounded by peculiar pets and even odder people. The welcome Felicity and Alex receive at the castle is surprisingly warm — until death arrives with dessert! Racing against time, Felicity must investigate old grievances, expose murderous motives, and decode the testimony of an animal witness — before she and Alex are framed as the wrong-doers!
Wishing you an amazing August, and happy reading!
