Posts

Yes to David Sedaris

The trick is to say yes. When given an opportunity, even if it scares the crap out of you, say yes. So, on Sunday night, when David Sedaris asked if I would join him on stage to say a few words during his event at the Vogue Theatre, I said yes. Then I panicked. Stepping […]

Talking About Rebus

When I finished Ian Rankin’s latest Rebus novel, Rather Be The Devil, all I wanted to do was chat with my Dad.  The book ends with a twist I know he would have loved. Funny how our minds work…  I had completely forgotten about the endless lunches Dad and I spent talking about our mutual […]

With Malice

Wherever your summer holidays find you, take along Eileen Cook’s WITH MALICE and I can guarantee you a journey you will never forget. This is one of my favourite books of the year, but the title rated number one. “WITH MALICE” I love when an uncommon word jumps into my sphere. I’m left wondering how […]

Ian and Sam

It’s all so personal. What we like, what we hate. I love reading crime fiction. I love short sentences. I love reading about places I love. I love when a few words say everything. Last week I read a book with some of the best sentences I’ve ever read. Last week I read INVISIBLE DEAD […]

This Day We Write / This Day I Sell

When you receive a rejection letter from an agent you’ve set your heart and hope on, it helps if you’ve been to the Surrey International Writers’ Conference. Not because they taught you all the ins and outs of getting published. Not because they’ve given you the tools to pitch again. Not because they showed you […]

Talk to Owen Laukkanen

I read the last lines of the acknowledgment and started to cry. “Heck, talk to me if you want. My contact info’s on the back cover flap, I usually stay up late. Just, you know, talk to somebody. We’re all in his together.” This is how Owen Laukkanen ends his latest book The Watcher in […]

Finding Fraser, finding kc

Why is it so surprising when someone is kind and generous? Back in January 2015 I got an email from kc dyer asking for my help to find a man in a kilt for a photo shoot. Well of course I know many men with kilts, but the one I thought would be most appropriate […]