Today I am honoured to be a guest on the blog of Martin Edwards, chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association, and expert in Golden Age mysteries for the British Library. I talk about some of the unnerving parallels between Donald Trump’s America and the America of 1921 in my new book, The Death Beat. You can read the blog post here.
Get that novel started! Novel writing course in Newcastle
Have you always wanted to write a novel but don’t quite know where to start? Or you’ve launched in a frenzy of creative energy then ground to a halt? Don’t let another year go by. I’m going to be running three courses this year, in collaboration with Newcastle City Library, Newcastle upon Tyne.The courses run for four weeks on Thursday evenings 5-7pm where you will join a small group of other hopeful novelists in fun, interactive and informative sessions.
Get That Novel Started 2, 9, 16, 23 March 2017 £65
Get That Novel Finished 1, 8, 15, 22 June 2017 £65
Get That Novel Published 5, 12, 19 October 2017 and 2 November 2017
You can pick and choose which of the courses you do – one or all of them! – but you will get the most out of the series if you start at the beginning.
For more information and to book your place visit Get That Novel Started – booking.
The Crime Writers’ Awards Dinner
This week I am back at my desk after a whirlwind week in London where I went to attend a gala awards dinner, hosted by the Crime Writers’ Association. The Jazz Files did not win the CWA Endeavour Historical Dagger award. It was pipped at the post by the very worthy Stasi Child by David Young. But what a fantastic night we had! A gang from my publishers’ Lion Hudson were there to cheer Poppy along and my husband, Rodney, came down from Newcastle with me. Here are some pics from the night. The one with my eyes closed is me waiting to hear the result …
Flappers, fops and murder
Anyone in the Newcastle area on Monday 26 September, between 5 – 6.30pm (you can come straight from work), I am giving a talk at the central library on writing historical crime fiction in the jazz age. The event is free and there will be tea and biscuits. This is aimed at the general public and writers and readers of historical crime fiction.
(Please note this is not the launch party of The Kill Fee – I will be sending out invitations to that later!)
For more information and to book your free ticket click here.
Fiona’s guide to the skinny classics
I had such fun a few weeks ago meeting up with an old friend, author and lifestyle blogger Gillian D’Achada at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. Gill and I were once part of a writers’ circle in Kalk Bay, South Africa in the late 1990s and early naughties that eventually became a writers’ line when only she and I remained. Gill I think was the first person to encourage me to become a full-time author and I am forever grateful for her support. Over the years she and I have stayed in touch and I was privileged to edit her award-winning youth novel, Sharkey’s Son for Tafelberg Press. Here I am talking to her about how reading classic literature doesn’t have to be hard work – and how some classics have influenced my own writing of The Jazz Files.
PS Yes I’m aware I made a mistake on Homer’s dates. He lived and wrote in the late 8th Century BC, not 4th Century. Forgive me darlings!
Guardians of Ancora animated film
Remember last year I was working on an animation script to be used in the Guardians of Ancora role play game? Well the film is finally finished! It’s produced by Bill Schultz of Home Plate Entertainment (formerly producer of the The Simpsons) and Maggie Barfield from Scripture Union / Guardians of Ancora.
And here it is, ‘Jesus Calls the Fishermen’
Quest 1 – Jesus calls the fishermen from Scripture Union on Vimeo.
