I'm a first time self-published author of the crime novel REAPER which is set in Derby, England and came out in January 2007. The book's success has taken me by surprise. Waterstone's were so impressed they gave me my own account so I could get stock into several Midlands stores and things have mushroomed since. REAPER is now to be stocked across the country by Waterstone's and now Borders want to stock it. It's been quite a ride considering I couldn't find an agent or a publisher. Tiring but fun and I don't know of any other self-published books that have risen so quickly.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
The Poet by Michael Connelly
Most of Henning Mankell's stuff
It's not a long list of crime thrillers, there's a lot of rubbish out there that still seems to have enormous advances thrown at it at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Non-crime my favourite books/authors would be American, The Magus by John Fowles would be an exception otherwise it's Joseph Heller, Mailer, Vidal, Capote and Tom Wolfe.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
The Sopranos, The Simpsons, NYPD Blue, The Shield, Law and Order etc. You can keep most of the cliched British stuff with its stilted dialogue and "personal relationships"
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I Stephen. Thank you for your comment. It crtainly sounds like 'The Reaper' has been doing extremely well. I will be reading it. Are you interested in a Q&A session for my website?
I am so sorry not to have replied earlier to your message asking me how the sequel to Accident Man was going ... The answer is that I've been slaving over it like a lunatic the past couple of months, which is why I've hardly been on Crimespace at all and so didn't see your message until today. Anyway, I'm about three-quarters done, with the whole thing due by Jan 15. How about yours?
Hey Steven, there is a movie out, called the Reaper. Is that your work? It's about a girl, end times in bibical prophecy. I must say, it was a good movie. I thought of you and if it was your novel.
I don't think my last comment went through, so here goes again. congrats on you book release. Remember to be creative in your marketing and be smart getting your name to the reader... *hint... public transportation is a great place for pamphlets. Swarm the town, your doctors office, everywhere you go! It's raining Steven Dunne!
Congrats on your book. I'll look for it. You just took a big step, now you'll need to take even bigger steps to ensure that your name get's out to the public and knows your book is there to buy. Get creative!
Congratualtions Steve and beating all the odds. As for my awards, my book, Blood of Others (Pinnacle NEW YORK) set in San Francisco, won the 2003 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel, from Crime Writers of Canada. My short story Lightning Rider (concerns a Las Vegas armored car heist) published in the Michael Connelly edited Murder in Vegas, won the 2006 Arthur Ellis for Best Short Story. My novel, The Dying Hour, was a finalist - didn't win - for a 2006 thriller award from the International Thriller Writers, for Best Paperback Original.
Oh yes, and congrats on your book as well! So many go through the self publishing and regret it. You are an inspiration to those who have and maybe make a new market... who knows? Is it in the USA yet? Sounds like an interesting book.
Kristine
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I Stephen. Thank you for your comment. It crtainly sounds like 'The Reaper' has been doing extremely well. I will be reading it. Are you interested in a Q&A session for my website?
www.markporter.weebly.com
I know a lot of folk are sniffy about self publishing but you seen to have done alright.
HB x
Stay true to yourself. Keep your friends close.
Have a great holiday season,
Kristine
Warm wishes,
Kristine
Warm wishes,
Kristine
Kristine
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