Super 8

I'm really happy today to be able to say that Dirty Old Town (and other stories) has made it through to the Elite 8 in the tournament over at Spinetingler.

It's nice that, in a world that can feel so serious, a competition like this can lighten the mood. 

Mentions for Speedloader and for Harvest Of Ruins who DOT was up against in rounds one and two.  Just to get on the list is very cool, so if you haven't taken at them you should follow the links to see what you think.

This round I'm up against Keith Rawson's 'The Chaos We Know'; followers will know that I really enjoyed that one in the review I placed here towards the end of last year.

The rest of the runners and riders are:

Dead Money by Ray Banks (my review's here)

Rum, Sodomy and False Eyelashes by Scott Phillips

Monkey Justice by Patti Abbott (my review's here)

Just Like That by Les Edgerton

Witness To Death by Dave White

and

Choke On Your Lies by Anthony Neil Smith

It's one hell of a lineup and I intend to read all of the books in the fullness of time (all 32 is my goal).

Other little bits.

I'm still proud of my Blasted Heath page and I really am thinking about getting the tattoo.  I already have a heart on my shoulder (where I wear it) and think that the logo might fit in their snugly.  Mind you, that Snubnose logo is also pretty amazing and I guess I'm entitled after Speedloader.  Maybe I should check with my wife before I go off loose-cannoning. 

I'm reading two books at the moment.  They're very engrossing in different ways.

First off is Hill Country by R Thomas Brown.  It's not your standard scenario by any means and the deeper I go, the darker it seems to get (think about walking into a cave without a torch). 

The other is a book of interviews by Len Wanner called 'The Crime Interviews - Volume 1'. I really enjoy reading interviews with writers and there are plenty of them on the web to be seen and savoured.  What's different here is the depth of knowledge of the interviewer and the ability he seems to have to take the ball and run just at the right time.  He asks the questions that make sense and sometimes comes up with unexpected and tricky once he's lulled his subject into a false sense of security.  It's my first 'on-phone' read and suits it well.  Perfect for dipping in and out of.

And that's about it.

An hour and a half to prepare for arriving parents to talk about their children for a while.  Stressful in the idea of it, but rarely unpleasant in reality.

Till soon.

One Man's Opinion: ABIDE WITH ME by IAN AYRIS

I love the writing of Ian Ayris.  His short fiction is outstanding, packed with images and always tapping nerve-ends and ripping at heart strings in ways that many don’t even come close to.  I like his work so much that when Chris Rhatigan and I had to think of Deringer nominations from the Pulp Ink anthology, we came to immediate agreement that his story, Surf Rider, should be one of them.

Little wonder, then, that I had high expectations for his debut novel ‘Abide With Me’.

High expectation's probably not a good think for anyone to hold for too long, whether that be in sport, books, art, exams or whatever it is you’re hoping for; there’s always the possibility that things will end in disappointment.  Tears and heartache.

The good news for me on this occasion is that Ian has earned every one of the five stars I’m giving him for the book at least twice over.

It has a density to it that is slightly unusual.  Everything is packed tight.  It took me almost two weeks to read the 150 pages.  My slow pace is for a couple of reasons, I think.  First off, for much of the book there are no end-of-chapter hooks that forced me to read just that one more chapter before moving on.  Secondly, the level of emotional reaction I was experiencing at each visit meant that I needed a break after a short while to catch my breath.

So here’s an idea of the book, but not too much as it’s far too good to spoil.

Johnny and Kenny are lads who grow up on the same East London street.  They’re pals, but not in any ordinary way, as Kenny is unable to communicate effectively using words.  Kenny is the Lenny Small in ‘Of Mice And Men’ or To Kill A Mockingbird’s Boo Radley of this book.  He’s terrorised at home and he seems to find little comfort in life other than from what he sees in the street-light outside his window or from the writing he does in his notebook.

Johnny, on the other hand, has street-smarts, charm and a settled family life, part of which involves supporting the Hammers through their footballing highs and lows.  It’s claret and blue blood that runs through the veins of Johnny and his dad, that’s for sure.

They live in a tough place, Kenny and John.  Money’s tight, expectations low, teachers rough and playgrounds brutal.

Ayris takes a journey inside the capsule that is Johnny’s mind.  He’s our filter.  We get to feel what he feels and see what he sees.  It’s a recipe for the best of Ayris – Johnny witnesses horrible events and feels terrible pain and confusion – and as I reader I felt every moment of hurt, misery, pain, hope and happiness that came along, sometimes sent by Santa Claus and others by Satan.

The first half of the book follows the school days.  Shows the roots of the damage to the people in Johnny’s life.  It’s dense.  It’s very internal.  It would be difficult to film as so much of it is thought and emotion. 

The next quarter isn’t dissimilar in style and follows Johnny into early adulthood.  Suffice to say, he’s harvesting the fruits of earlier misfortunes.  It’s powerful.  Begins to suggest that the ending might just be something special. 

And it is.

The last 20 pages or so of the book take on a completely different quality.  They rattle along full of tension and a real need to find out what the climax of the book is no matter how scary the prospects for our duo seem.  Truly brilliant.

OK.  So, Ian Ayris has written an amazingly good debut novel.  5 stars, no problem.

But could it be better still?  Can his second blow even this out of the water?

I think yes to both of those.

As I came to the end and relaxed my white knuckles, tried to stop myself crying in pubic and fell back into my seat to take it all in, I decided that all my thoughts regarding improvements must be wrong, that it could only be this way or I’d not have had such an atom-bomb of a reaction at the end.

Now I’m writing about it, I’d like to share those thoughts.  Keep in mind that sense that maybe the book needs to be just as it is as you proceed.

There’s credit due to Caffeine Nights for snapping this up and taking a chance on such a talent.  I think they’re on to a winner and deserve every success for that.

I’d like them to consider a few things.

The cover blurb.  ‘A story about friendship, community, football, hope and biscuits...oh, and gangsters.’  I wasn’t keen on it when I read it and I’m less keen now.  It’s a far better book that the sentence suggests.  There’s no need to be coy – this is dynamite.

Swearing.  I mentioned ‘Surf Rider’ being a gem of a story.  It is.  And it has lots of swearing.  The swearing adds.  Here, I’m not sure it’s the same.  There’s a lot of it and I found it distracting.  My edit would have taken most of it out to leave it with power when used and also to help the book to sell to a wider audience.  I know it might be said that the artist’s purity is of paramount importance, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt less swearing would be a bonus.  It’s also going to limit the audience for the book and that’s just not right.  ‘Abide With Me’ deserves to have a really high profile.  A less sweary book will have a far bigger chance of strong circulation.

They’re the easy points.

The next one isn’t so straightforward.

As I said, the book has a very intense, moving, powerful and emotional opening as we get to know about these kids.  And then we have the climax – all energy and action and magical tension.  It’s like ascending a big mountain in a good way – it’s a steady climb, great views along the way, challenging and satisfying and then as soon as you get to the top there’s a sprint down the other side full of exhilaration and acceleration.

I guess there are possibilities.  One might be to shorten the build up.  Another might be to start the book at the action at the end and maybe leave it as a novella.  A further option might be to start at the adult stage and put in the childhood as back-story.

In the end, I think it’s called right.  Leave it as it is and let the people come, for they should.

It’s a cracking book.  A book that deserves every success.  I hope that you’ll read this and go straight over to buy it – if I haven’t at least made it seem interesting to you, then I’ve failed in my intention.

Ian Ayris – this boy’s going far.

Also available in the US.

And ps - WITH LOVE AND SQULOR is free over the weekend.  Happy Birday.

But What Does It All Mean?

But what does it all mean?

I don’t tend to speak much about what a story of mine means. Some of that is my belief that a story means whatever it means to the reader. A writer can intend a meaning, but that’s not the same as ensuring that meaning. The more personal reason is that I’m never quite confident enough to tell people that my tale of flight and violence has a deeper meaning.

Well, in a small way, I’m going to step away from that. HILL COUNTRY is, for the most part, a thriller. It involves crime, running, danger, death and a good dose of fear. It’s meant to be a fast read and an entertaining one. If it meets that goal, and means nothing, I’d be happy that a reader enjoyed themselves.

That being said, there were some ideas that stayed with me as I wrote. One of them is the fight for control. All the characters in HILL COUNTRY strive to take charge of their lives. This is most directly expressed in the antagonist, Tyler who commits all manner of atrocities in an attempt to control his environment and the people around him. But it’s not him alone. Gabe struggles to get ahead of the enemies that seem to be all around. Abby uses any tool she has to escape a dependent life.


I, and I think most people, have this drive as well. We’re battered with it. Take charge. Seize the day. Make your own destiny. It’s a constant, and in some ways noble goal. However, the people of Comal Creek, TX learn over the course of the book that it’s a sometimes vain pursuit. You can’t control everything, and the rigid demand for total control leaves you unable to adapt and survive.


I didn’t really intend to convey all that in the story when I started. But as I created the characters, and filled them to some extent with my own experiences and thoughts, it just came out. It’s something that I will keep reminding myself of in many aspects of my life, but especially writing. There is so much about the business of writing that I cannot control. If I were to try, it would likely lead to disaster.

Hill County brings together the amazing R Thomas Brown with the force that is Snubnose Press.
 
Recommendations for Hill Country include:
 
"A demonic Tilt-A-Whirl of murder, mayhem and betrayal that straddles the line between crime and horror." - Chris F Holm, Dead Harvest
 
and
 
'“In Hill Country, R. Thomas Brown has written an edgy tale full of passion and human fallibility. The story bounds along at a breakneck pace, unrelenting and painfully real. Its cast of characters run the gamut, from broken to brutal, from raw as an open wound to cold and dark as a winter midnight. When you start this tale, plan on not putting it down till you’re done, and while you’re reading, don’t forget to breathe.” – Bill Cameron, County Line

I can tell you that I love Ron's writing and that I've bought my copy.  It won't be long until I'm there myself and I hope you'll come and join me so you can decide how my reviewing skills are shaping up when I get round to that. 

Waiting For Godwin

Your first novel, Apostle Rising, has been a tremendous success. 

Could you tell us about the highest and lowest points you’ve

experienced since its release last year?

The amazing reception it got from so many sincerely valued writers

online as well as finding new readers. Seeing everyone get older.

Would you say that your life has changed in any way?

Not really.

To my mind, you’re the writer who seems to luxuriate more than

any other in the description of the horrific or erotic fiction.  From

my perspective as a reader, I get the feeling that you derive a lot of

pleasure from stretching yourself in every way imaginable

(especially in the depiction of violent acts).  I don’t wish to suggest

you’re twisted, but wonder if my impression of your pleasures is

accurate.

Impressions can be misleading. Writers usually say their best lines

come from nowhere, as Burroughs observed. There is a common

misinterpretation that writers are what they write, you are referring

to the body of work of mine that is popular, yet I also write poetry

and literary stories. I think the darker stuff appeals more to readers.

I have never met a serial killer yet I write about them.

To what do you attribute your love of dark subject material?

If you read the newspapers there is plenty of dark material in there. I

think writing characters who do extreme things is a good way to dig

into the human psyche and to explore motivation.

I note that your new book, Mr Glamour, is set in the world of

fashion.  I love the line in the blurb ‘The killer in Mr. Glamour

knows all about design, he knows what brands mean to his

victims. He is branding their skins.’  You really do have a vivid

imagination regarding methods of death and torture.  How

naturally do this ideas arrive in your consciousness or is this

something you need to work at?

Thank you. If you read some of the classics there is a lot of dark

stuff in there. I try to make things new, but truthfully you can find

any manner of deaths on the internet. The character will usually tell

you how they would commit an act.

Not only are you a talented novelist, but you’re one of the most

prolific writers working in the short form and have appeared in

some of the best anthologies around.  How easy is it for you to

shift between the two forms?

I started writing novels, so a story is easier. However the story form

demands a tightness that is not always necessary in a novel. It is a

different medium and I enjoy both. I see them as natural relatives.

And in terms of anthologies, what do you consider to be the

making of a good one?

A good selection of a variety of talents. A balanced selection of

stories.

I wonder about your writing environment.  I picture you

surrounded by heavy tomes, bones and curious objects.  Describe

the place you write for us.

Anywhere. Literally.

How did you and Black Jackal Books come together?

I sent them my manuscript.

The cover of the new book has a suggestion of voyeurism in it.  Is

it a cover you’ve had a lot of input in yourself?

Voyeurism does play a part in Mr. Glamour. Black Jackal Books

consult me about cover designs, and I suggested the basic concept.

Here we have another cop duo in operation.  Did you consider

giving Castle and Stone another run?  And would you now?

Do you mean writing a sequel to Apostle Rising? I am writing it.

Would you mind adding a little taster from the book?

Mr. Glamour is about a designer world full of beautiful wealthy people. It is about the creation of myth. Detective Chief Inspector Flare and Inspector Steele try to catch a killer who has climbed inside their heads. As they investigate they step into a hall of mirrors and find themselves up against a wall of secrecy. The investigation drives Flare and Steele - who are themselves harbouring secrets - to acts of darkness. And the killer is watching everyone.

Heywood Gould said:

“Richard Godwin knows how his characters dress, what they drink and what they drive. He knows how they live--- and how they die. Here's hoping no one recognized themselves in Godwin's cold canvas. Combines the fun of a good story with the joy of witty, vivid writing.”

But the real question is who is Mr. Glamour?

Richard Godwin is a widely published crime and horror writer.

His second novel Mr. Glamour (US and UK) is being published in March 2012 by Black Jackal Books and is available online and at all good retailers.
It is about a glamorous world with a predator in its midst.

His first crime novel Apostle Rising (US and UK) was published by Black Jackal Books as a paperback on March 10, 2011. In it a serial killer is crucifying politicians and recreating the murder scenes of an old case. It is available online and on the shelves of all good bookstores.
It met with excellent reviews worldwide and sold foreign rights throughout Europe.

The author’s work has appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and you can find links to his stories on the magazines page of his sitehttp://www.richardgodwin.net/magazines

His Chin Wags At The Slaughterhouse are interviews he has conducted with writers and can be found at the blog on his website here http://richardgodwin.net/ where you can also find a full list of his works.

Steal Softly Through Sunshine, Steal Softly Through Snow

Kittiwake - a gull, living off the sea

Pony - a small horse

Hung Like A Horse - having a large penis (or claiming to have one) or having a penis in the shape of a horse

Hung Like A Pony - having a medium-sized penis (rarely boasted about)

LSD - drug that induces hallucinations and gives a lot of pleasure to a lot of people, as well as the occasional bad trip

Sunshine - the light from the sun

Commune - a community of people relying upon each other for survival, sharing values and existing outside of mainstream society

Ocean Hicks - one-legged drummer

Murder - the criminal act of taking another person's life

Adventure - living life by seeking opportunities for stimulation

Post Office - where lots of acid is consumed in the form of postage stamps (blotters) which have absorbed the stuff, often decorated by superheroes

Steal - to move stealthily or to take possessions from another (if possessions are accepted in your personal view)

Thru' - short for through

The Velvet Underground - cool band from the East Coast preferring opiates to LSD

Ewan Porteous - just another guy lost in a fog of an identity crisis, currently employed by the BBC

Exploding Plastic Inevitable - a blast from the past

Katya - Orinoco's muse

Golden Gate Bridge - a long bridge that's golden

Kindle - a reader allowing one to access books electronically

Sex - generally a pleasing experience shared between two or more people, enhanced by the taking of various stimulants

Panic Attack - ooooh, what the hell's going on here?  where are we?  why are they staring? 

Engaged - being transfixed by a book and enjoying the way it's unfolding or waiting a long time to be married

Affair - love affairs occur when people in relationships stray outside that relationship to look for love or sex (see sex); often the cause of panic attacks (see panic attacks)

Mystery - who knows?

Amazon - a river and a place that sells shit-loads of books in the UK and the US

Pen Name - something unusual.  when a writer decides that a book doesn't fit in with their main thrust in fiction and creates a new identity so that they can duck away from it if it all goes pear-shaped.

Sea Minor - Beefheartian pun

Belsize Park - for those who've not made it up the hill to Hampstead yet or are on their way down again

Obscura - cafe named after the pinhole camera

Romance - a delicious, heady experience between two people (or one unusual mind)

Dancing With Myself: KARINA KANTAS interviews KARINA KANTAS

Among the current deluge of free books, one that I'm intending to hook for myself, Free Range Institution by Michael Haskins.  It's a Mick Murphy Key West Mystery.

You can also pick up a copy of a free book by the legend that is Doc Noir.  Choke On Your Lies is free all weekend.  No way can you be bored now.
And here's a short interview today from Karina Kantas, a lady who seems to be ever ready to dance. I'll let her do the talking:


Oh, this looks like a lot of fun. I’m game.


*coughs and clears throat* Today we’re talking to author Karina Kantas. Thank you for taking the time to be here.


My pleasure.


Congratulations on the release of your latest novel, Huntress. Can you tell us something about it?


Huntress is an urban thriller. It’s a novel about a female journalist who goes undercover as a member of a motorcycle club called the Wolves. Sofi is the daughter of Jade and Marcus, two ex members of the Tyrants. After learning that the Wolves killed her uncle and issued the death threat to her parents, she vows revenge.

Huntress is your first traditionally published novel after 10 years and four self-published titles. How does it feel?

Amazing, and it's a long time coming. Patience is a virtue. Many thanks to all the staff at MMP.


I’m hoping I won’t have to self-publish again. Although I love the freedom I have on my book pricing, and marketing strategies, I just don’t have the time anymore. I’m putting eight hours a day into promoting my titles, and I have two small children. This is why I need an agent. To make sure that the time and effort I’m putting into promotion, actually pays off.


You’ve been searching for a literary agent for over ten years. Many would have thrown in the towel by now. What keeps you motivated?


My books deserve a wider audience and there is a vast marketplace out there for this genre of fiction. I just need to find someone with the same passion as I have, someone who can see the huge potential. I’m not one to give up easily. The reviews and excellent support I get from my international fans motivate me to continue my search for a literary agent.


Can you explain the story behind the cover for Huntress?

I was lucky enough to be able to work side by side with the publisher’s talented cover artist, Stephen Blundell. I got exactly what I wanted.


The Wolf represents the Wolves motorcycle club. The woman is Sofi, and no it’s not a likeness of me (well, not much.) The skyline is of London UK where the book is set. And on the back cover the silver symbol is of the Tyrant’s tag. I felt it was important for that image to be on the book somewhere.

And your new novel Road Rage, can you tell us a little about it?

Road Rage is my completed urban thriller which I’m currently submitting to agents. The public sees Rage as a clean-cut, wining, sponsored super bike racing team. However, behind the scenes, there is illegal road racing, murder and gun trafficking.

Do you think we might see Huntress on the big screen soon? I thought it would make a super movie.

Never say never. Who knows? You’ll have to ask my agent when I get one. *winks*

Thank you again for the interview and we wish you lots of success with all your books.

Huntress is available at Amazon in the UK and the US, Kindle and also at Barnes And Noble.

Whodunnit?

You might find this difficult to believe, but until this weekend I'd never knowingly read an Agatha Christie novel.

I was in a youth hostel, had finished the books I'd taken and had to pick from their shelves.

Having chosen and then decided against several of the more likely options, I came across 'Lord Edgeware Dies'.  On the inside of the cover, it reminded me that 'Agatha Christie' is known throughout the world as the Queen Of Crime'.  That was the clincher.  It also seemed thin enough for me to get through in a couple of days.

'Lord Edgeware Dies' is a Poirot novel.  He's that lovable Belgian sleuth, the one I've seen on the telly so many times and switched over from to avoid the prospect of an ITV interpretation of the early 20th Century.  Thought I've never watched the programme, it still gave me a strong image of the man and it seemed to fit pretty well. 

Poirot and sidekick Hastings happen upon their latest mystery in the land of London theatre.  Whilst taking supper at the Ritz later on, they come across a group of actors and it's not long until Jane Wilkinson (beauty, actress and the current Lady Edgeware) has persuaded the pair to join her upstairs at her private suite to discuss a few matters.  Having earlier announced that she'd happily kill her husband, she asks Poirot to intervene with Lord Hastings and get him to divorce her so that she can marry even further up on the social ladder.

Enter a group of theatre cronies that includes Carlotta Adams, actress of some talent and mimic of the stars, including Lady Edgeware. 

A brief sketch is given of all the characters and the ball is spinning.

It turns out Lord Edgeware has already agreed to divorce.  Poirot is perplexed.  He's even more perplexed when his lordship is found murdered in his study, double so when Carlotta Adams is found poisoned.

Lady Edgeware has been seen entering her husband's home on the night of the murder.  Following her statements about being prepared to kill him she's the obvious suspect, only she has a cast-iron alibi.

Oh who could it have been?  Which socialite could have done the deed?  And did I care?

I actually did care rather a lot.  Enough to sneak the book from the youth hostel at the end of our stay and to grab reads whenever I could.

The ending was utterly satisfying, too.

It got me wondering about the whodunnit format and about how Agatha had managed to keep me so engrossed.

Many of the books I read have a whodinnit element.  It's a great way for an author to create a page-turner if they can hook a reader in by making them care enough.  I guess a lot of you will recognise that.

So what was it that AC did for me in this book, one I'd ordinarily have poo-pooed?

First off, the relationship between Poirot and Hastings is a pleasing one.  On the one hand there is a need for evidence and a deep desire to understand the psychological elements involved (including the why?) and on the other, an almost naive sidekick who chips in with child-like observations every now and then to give Poirot other angles.

Hastings has a more important role in terms of the structure.  He's the voice.  As such, he can give us all the information that Poirot is prepared to articulate without ever being able to reveal his deeper thoughts.  It's a teasing process that works really well.

Then there's the desire to be smarter than the author.  It's as if we can outsmart the writer by working it all out before the end.  Better still, right at the beginning.  AC plays on this vanity perfectly.  Everyone who turns up to see Poirot (and they usually do) is a suspect.  They all have their motives, character flaws, loose mouths.  We're given clues about them all.  When they were dropped I collected them as if it were me on the trail - one for my pocket that I'll bring out later to prove I was right all along.
Now that's where she's really good.  She filled my pockets with clues.  I had a net full of red-herrings, enough to feed the 5000.  In turn, thought Poirot, she showed me that she knew exactly what I'd been thinking, known that I'd picked up on it and rubbed my nose gently in it.  Great work.

Perhaps it's her modus operandi - build up each individual as if they'd done the deed, and make them everything but.  By the way, I racked up five or six suspects in the end; got the whole thing completely wrong.

The setting, wealthy classes and glitzy settings is also really entertaining and far from the twee irritation I half-expected.  It means the butler could always have done it because practically everyone has servants in some form or other.

Telling the vast majority of the story through conversation also helped keep it lively and thrilling.  That's difficult to explain.  I work on the idea that too much exposition in dialogue is a bad thing.  It leaves me wondering if it's exposition she's actually giving thought the dialogue or something else entirely.  To answer that, I'll probably have to read more of her books and I fully expect to now that I've dipped in my toe.  I even look forward it.

All I need to do now is book another break in Arnside and slip the book back onto the shelf - wouldn't want any mustachioued smart-arse asking me where I was on the weekend of the 19th now, would I?