Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
Blackshirt Rebellion was published by Level Best Books in the USA on 17 September, the third in my Room Z thrillers set in a 1930s Britain under the shadow of fascism. It effectively rounds off the set-up that began with Blackshirt Masquerade and took a big twist in Blackshirt Conspiracy. Many thanks to everyone at... Continue Reading →
A best-selling author advised me that an alternative history thriller was always going to be a hard sell. History has a framework of established facts which authors of historical fiction adhere to as closely as practical for the purpose of their plots. However, all historical fiction is alternative history to some extent. Other than facts... Continue Reading →
Charles, Viscount Wickersley is a recurring character in my 1930s thrillers. I named him after my home village in South Yorkshire, the place where the first of the Room Z series was written during lockdown. The line of the de Wickersley family that stemmed from Norman owners of the village has died out, giving me... Continue Reading →
An economic crisis, three million unemployed, a Tory government doing little for the poor, a split Labour party, the rise of populist leaders offering simplistic solutions and the scapegoating of immigrants and minorities…welcome to 1935. Blackshirt Masquerade is a thriller set within the British fascist movement. One thing I was advised to do is to... Continue Reading →
#10 in an occasional series on writing non-fiction This week's blog looks at creating a Style Sheet, which is something authors of both fiction and non-fiction books should consider. It is worth creating a Style Sheet as you begin drafting your book. Some publishers will have their own which they will supply, but you should... Continue Reading →
#9 in an occasional series on writing non-fiction Your book may have no illustrations beyond cover art, but much non-fiction relies on illustration to support the text. In cases of say a book on fine art or photography, the text can be there largely to support the illustrations. The book may require photographs, maps, diagrams,... Continue Reading →
No.8 in an occasional series on writing non fiction You are going to carry out the sharpest, most comprehensive research you can. You are going to write to the best of your ability and follow all the stylistic rules to make the book entertaining as well as informative. So, here’s a question; have you done... Continue Reading →
The biggest drawback of the online world is fighting a daily battle against hackers and scammers. In a previous life I worked in risk and compliance and even 20 years ago my staff passed on so many attempted scams they had blocked I was able to fill two A4 arch files with examples to use... Continue Reading →
It was a pleasure to be invited to the UK Crime Book Club Live event in Leeds this weekend. The convention was a consistently jolly affair, with plenty of laughs considering the grim topics under discussion. In thirty years of writing I've only spoken on five panels, so it was a double pleasure to be... Continue Reading →
It's quiet...too quiet. Yes this blog has been silent for the last month because I've been away from home and didn't want any of the cat burglars or nervous insurance underwriters who follow it to know. On the first of May, Dig Alderney's team of volunteers started to excavate a large Roman building. We'd explored... Continue Reading →