Harrogate is fast approaching...

Those who follow me on Twitter (@mariwriter) will already know how I feel about Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and what an important a part it has played in my journey to publication. Well, it’s nearly that time of the year again. The excitement is building and crime writers and readers from all over the world are about to descend on Harrogate for the tenth time. This year, I have more reason than ever to be excited ...  

Being invited to take part in the Creative Thursday programme is a dream come true. I’ll be joining fellow authors Mark Edwards and Louise Voss, their Harper Collins editor, Kate Bradley, and my own, Wayne Brookes of Pan Macmillan on a discussion panel entitled The Road to Publication: Success Stories. The idea is to highlight and explore different routes to publication. It is both an honour and a celebration for me to do this in Harrogate where my story began.

The one thing Mark, Louise and I have in common is that our journeys were long and difficult. But long and difficult does not equal impossible and that is the message I’ll be trying to get across. Creative Thursday is a great place to start. It’s a day of writer-led seminars and workshops, a chance to rub shoulders with those who have thrilled us with crime fiction for years. I’ve said before, the festival is what you make it. Either you engage with others or you stand on the sidelines and miss the opportunity.

I attended my first festival on the advice of NJ Cooper – Hooray! She’s just been longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Vengeance in Mind . We’d met at the Hexham Book Festival. The following year, I arrived in Harrogate a bit nervous, alone, and knowing very little about the industry I wanted to be part of. Big mistake when you're suddenly in a room full of book enthusiasts, authors, agents, publishers and bloggers.

The important thing is that Creative Thursday gave me the impetus to finish my debut, The Murder Wall. In 2010, I won a Northern Writers’ Award for Settled Blood, the second in the Kate Daniels series. This was after translation rights had been sold to Goldmann in Germany for the debut, but before my agent had found a UK publisher. Then came my big break – a three book deal with Pan Macmillan.

There have been many proud moments this year: a quote for The Murder Wall by Peter James, a glowing review from Marcel Berlins (Times) and another from Laura Wilson (Guardian) both had me shrieking with delight! I thought I might die of excitement.

I’m only now getting used to the public side of being a professional crime writer. Oh yes, there is a whole other aspect to the job! Since The Murder Wall was published on 12^th April 2012, I’ve been fully engaged with the reading public: signing books, giving interviews, facing a barrage of question about why I write, what kind of stories interest me, how many hours a day I devote to the craft of writing, how I plan and structure my novels.

In May, I had my first taste of speaking at Crimefest – another great festival held in Bristol. And last month, I took part in Crime on Tour when Theakstons Crime Writing Festival took to the road bringing 'New Blood' to crime fiction fans ahead of the festival itself to mark their tenth anniversary. Just about every week from now until Christmas (don’t ask me when I will ever find the time to write) I’m appearing somewhere or other – and that’s not including the launch of Settled Blood in November.

There are few who relish taking the stage or being held up as an expert and I’m no different in this respect. I’m not a shy person but neither do public appearances come naturally to me. However, as my confidence has grown, I’ve come to realise how important it is to take part in such events. It’s an opportunity to thank the reading public for their support, to pass on what I’ve learned along the way, and to contribute something new to the genre of crime fiction. I'm no longer the person standing on the outside looking in. I’m a fully paid up member of the crime writing community and it’s a great place to be. Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has played a huge role in getting me there. I hope some of you will join me at Creative Thursday when I have the chance to give something back.

North Tyneside Summer Read ...

I'm delighted to announce that The Murder Wall has been chosen as the North Tyneside Summer Read novel this year.

What is it? The aim is to get as many people across North Tyneside reading the same book at the same time. Promoted by the library service in the area, the project is supported by New Writing North, North Tyneside Council and Arts Council England. It will make books available through libraries, council offices, and other venues as appropriate. It will run throughout July, August and September. During this period, the book will be for sale at a reduced price at venues across North Tyneside.

On the evening of Thursday 4th October, there will be a 'Meet the Author' event at the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth, where I will talk about The Murder Wall and meet readers. Details are posted on my events page.  

Crime in the Court

Goldsboro Books, Cecil Court, LondonOn Tuesday, 3rd July I attended 'Crime in the Court' at Goldsboro Books in London. An event now in its second year, it was heaving with crime writers, agents, publishers and crime fiction fans. We were there to celebrate Independent Booksellers Week, and boy did we live up to that. It rained - a lot - but we just didn't care. 

As a debut author, I still get a kick out of rubbing shoulders with writers whose work has inspired me. And when those who haven't quite made it yet want to chat and ask questions, I feel privileged to pass on what I know about the publishing industry. I'm very lucky to be in a position to give something back because that is what it's all about. 

I'd like to say a big thank you David Headley, top bloke, and owner of the bookshop. He specialises in first editions and only stocks hardbacks, but there among the hard covers was The Murder Wall written by me! It made me immensely proud to see it there. Thank you David. Roll on Crime in the Court 2013!

Crime Month

For those who didn't know, June was Crime Month so I thought I'd share a little of what I've been doing. Actually, I wasn't here at all at the beginning of the month. When June kicked in I was in Majorca while the rest of the UK enjoyed the Diamond Jubilee. I left straight after the international crime fiction convention: Crimefest.

Crimefest is held in Bristol and it was my first visit to the festival and city. It was a brilliant event. I met some wonderful people there - writers as well as readers. We enjoyed wall-to-wall sunshine for three whole days and I got my first opportunity to speak publicly at a festival, a twenty minute 'In The Spotlight' session.

I chose to speak about the highs and lows of my journey to publication. It went well until, and in front of a full house, I was overcome by emotion as I shared the moment I received the offer of a book deal after years of hard work. My friends, my agent and my Pan Macmillan publicist were all there to witness this. At the time, I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. But so many wannabe writers made a point of seeking me out afterwards to tell me how pleased they were to have shared my 'moment' and my passion, I quickly got over it. It is my passion that has got me here after all. 

Interest is already building for the second book in the series - Settled Blood is to be published on 8th November 2012 - and I've given a couple of interviews this month too. You can read these by visiting my Reviews page. I've also been invited to speak at festivals, to take part in library events and signings later in the year. As and when they're confirmed, I will post these on my Events page.    

On 14th June, I took part in Crime on Tour at Newcastle Central Library, organised by Theakstons Crime Writing Festival who were touring the north promoting New Blood. Danielle Ramsay and I were interviewed by fellow Pan Mac author, Ann Cleeves. She was so generous in her introduction, describing us as the 'new bright stars in the crime writing galaxy' - praise indeed from one of the country's most successful crime writers.

A few days later, The Murder Wall was featured in the Underground Book Club, a free magazine for commuters in London, bringing new books to public attention. Magazines distributed across the underground included a review of The Murder Wall and three free chapters for commuters to read on their way to and from work. A digital version is also available.

And more excitement: Along with Peter James' novel Dead Simple, The Murder Wall was chosen to launch the WHSmith's Kobo for Father's Day. And as the month draws to a close, so did the edit for book three which I finished in time for Book Reading Day on 30th - a day when I also learned that the jacket for the third in the Kate Daniels series is on its way . . .

So, all in all, Crime Month was a busy one for me. Next up, a few days off, and a chance to celebrate Independent Booksellers Week. Today, I'm attending Crime in the Court at Goldsboro Books in London. Then, on the 5th, I'm working behind the counter at Forum Books as a thank you to my small village bookshop who have sold over one hundred copies of The Murder Wall! I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Independent Booksellers Week

Forum Books - Corbridge - 5th July 2012

To celebrate Independent Booksellers Week, I'm leaping over the counter to spend the afternoon of Thursday, 5th July actually selling books at Forum Books in Corbridge. This is my way of saying thank you to Helen Stanton and her wonderful staff who have sold a massive one hundred copies of The Murder Wall since the book was launched on 12th April 2012. Hip hip . . . hooray for independent booksellers! If you are in the area, please come along and join in what I know will be a fun afternoon.