International
Yes, summer is officially sneaking up on us in the
Another month in the crime world, and how time flies. As I type this, we're gearing up for Bond, James Bond, but at least we won't be at the centre of the madness in Piccadilly where it looks like Waterstone's HO are preparing for Bond Mania.
But in between all that, I've been keeping an eye on all the best in thriller writing from the
After technical difficulties last month, we're back with more international news from the world of crime and thriller fiction. The months do fly by at this time of year, so I do hope you haven't missed me too much.
Oh, you didn't miss me at all?
Well, never mind. Onwards and upwards:
A MOST PECULIER AWARD
Barely seems like two minutes since Allan Guthrie won last year's Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, and already the latest longlist has been announced. There are a few familiar faces on the list, including previous winners Mark Billingham (Buried) and Val McDermid (The Grave Tattoo), as well as previously shortlisted authors such as Simon Kernick (Relentless) and Stuart MacBride (Dying Light).Presented at the Harrogate International Writing Festival (chaired this year by the ever charming and slightly dangerous Simon Kernick), the awards have become a major part of this bookseller's (and I assume many others) crime calendar. And as ever, I shall be at Harrogate this year to raise my pint of Theakston's in honour of the winner. Before falling over along with everyone else who's been gulping beer at the bar in the awards hall.
Each month seems to come around with less and less warning in these parts. And, as ever, February has come and gone far too quickly. With Valentines day, I noticed an upsurge in bloody crime fiction sales which spoke nicely to the cynic in me and also maybe said something to the fact I was about the only section not to indulge in a special valentines day display (even the history section seemed to have a few titles especially on display, although our law buyer's idea for a display of how-to-divorce titles was nixed at the last minute).
But that's all in the past now, and March beckons us on further into the new year. So without delay, here's what's come my way during the month of February and the usual look ahead to new British thrillers available from March...
This month sees a media related special as we look at newly commissioned writing reality programs, radio-led motivational schemes and book trailers as well as the latest thriller releases from UK Writers
Oh, yes, January's gone and we're into February here. This means no more time to sit around; it's back to business as usual in the booktrade.
It's been nice to see some people taking me up on my ramblings here. I've had emails from people who've searched out books because of a mention here, which is a gratifying thing to hear.
And, of course, certain eagle eyed readers will have noticed I'd had too much of the Christmas cheer last month and cut short some of my ramblings about celebrity biographies. For that I apologise. It wasn't terribly interesting, anyway, and you're probably glad to have not been exposed to an egg-nog fuelled rant in an indecipherable Scots accent.
Anyway, this month we have some media news for you and all the usual nonsense, so...
ThrillerFest
ITW's annual celebration of the thriller world is the largest event of its kind, a meeting place for authors, readers, budding writers, and publishing industry professionals.
This year we're in the heart of New York in July, with two special add-on events, CraftFest and AgentFest, where authors of all levels can meet the professionals.
ThrillerFest 2008 will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. There are limited rooms available at our conference rate. As soon as you register, please make your hotel reservation--don't wait! Once our block of rooms is filled, there will be no space available at the conference rate. You must be registered for the conference before making a hotel reservation. Update 6/5/08: Conference Rooms are SOLD OUT for all nights. Please call the Hyatt at 1-800-233-1234 to check for availability of rooms at a non-conference rate.
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