Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
#14 in an Occasional Series on writing non-fiction If you are an aspiring novelist, this is where your dreams can die. A minority of people who start writing a novel succeed in completing a readable book, and only a fraction of those will find a traditional publisher. Sadly, unless well written and edited to high... Continue Reading →
The name's Monaghan, Jason Monaghan. Conference Season morphs into Crime Reading Month and I was off around Yorkshire talking at library events. First stop was Wakefield, with panel sessions in the main library and useful chats with fellow writers out in the lobby where several of us set up stalls. Curiously for a crime writing... Continue Reading →
June is National Crime Reading Month, with events being held at libraries and bookshops all over the country. I'll be appearing at three events. The first is a free all-day event at Wakefield Library with a host of other authors - I'm on the 'Murder Mystery' panel. It will be a popular day so booking... Continue Reading →
Archaeological digs often feature in novels, or are portrayed on films or documentaries such as Digging for Britain. But if you imagine your own job portrayed in a seven minute TV slot, or serving as part of the backdrop of fiction you'll realise how much more there must be to the real experience of volunteering... Continue Reading →
Four days of panels and author interviews, up to three parallel sessions and a lively atmosphere where writers and readers of crime fiction mingle in equal quantities; that's Crimefest. I could fill the blog with simply a list of speakers and topics, but instead will focus on a few inspiring writing ideas coming from the... Continue Reading →
Conferences and festivals come thick and fast this time of year. Normally, April sees the Crime Writers' Association annual conference, but it wasn't to be held this year. As soon as we heard the news, half a dozen of us in the conference bar decided to bag the now vacant slot in the calendar. Over... Continue Reading →
Suddenly we’re out of winter and into conference season. It’s a joyful time of travel, meeting friends and colleagues, and talking writing or archaeology (and sometimes both). Conferences and festivals tumble one after the other in the run-up to Easter, which is why I haven’t been blogging and now have a backlog to report on.... Continue Reading →
Many people were surprised when I made last minute decision to go a cruise this January, not least myself. I'm unhappy on boats, dislike crowds, avoid organised fun and hate tipping culture. Winter had been tough, though, and I just didn't have the energy for a fortnight on dirt roads with an Explore trip. Almost... Continue Reading →
AI answers are now appearing on Google searches. I don't trust them, wonder where they get their data from and always dive in and look for references myself. As an experiment I went into 'IAsk AI' with the following question: 'Who is Jason Monaghan?' It was pleasing that it identified me as the subject of... Continue Reading →
2024 has whizzed past and I finished it at home with a particularly nasty flu that dodged around the jab, so those Old Langs had to Sine themselves. The year was packed with writing, travel, archaeology and new experiences, so no wonder it felt hectic. Tucked under a Game of Thrones fleece (known as 'Game... Continue Reading →