Pauline Rowson's Blog (366)

Edited Highlights of 2009 - a busy and interesting year

At this time of the year I like to look back over the year's major writing achievements and activities (before looking forward to the coming year) so I thought I'd do a quick round up of all that has happened regarding my writing in 2009. I hope it doesn't bore you, but if it does you can always click off.

February 2009

The Suffocating Sea, the third Inspector Andy Horton marine mystery crime… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on December 18, 2009 at 12:51am — No Comments

Turkish Delight for Crime Novels

Two of my crime thriller novels, In Cold Daylight and In For The Kill, are to be published in Turkish in the New Year.

Turkish Publisher Babiali Kultur Yayinciligi of Istanbul has acquired the rights to them with the deal being done through Filiz Karaman of Nurchian Kesim Literary Agency, my… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on December 2, 2009 at 12:48am — 2 Comments

The secret of getting your novel onto supermarket shelves

Most authors would love to see their books sold in supermarkets because that usually means increased sales. But there's not a lot of space for books in supermarkets and it costs the publisher vast amounts of money to get what shelf space there is, so only the top names (or potential top names) are carried and promoted. But now all is revealed on how to crack this particular nut and it comes straight from the mouth of the key book buyer in one of the major supermarkets in the UK -… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 30, 2009 at 10:40pm — 3 Comments

National Crime Fiction Week 2010

The Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain, (CWA) of which I am a member, has launched a new intiative for 2010 with the introduction of National Crime Fiction Week, taking place from 14 June to 20 June 2010. It is designed to raise the profile of crime fiction further, already a popular genre in the UK, and will be a celebration of crime writing.

During the week members of the CWA, including yours truly, will take part in readings, discussions, readers' group… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 24, 2009 at 12:56am — No Comments

Page proofs and the jitters

The page proofs have arrived for the new Inspector Horton crime novel Blood on the Sand which is being published on 25 February 2010.

This is the final stage before the novel goes to print and perhaps the most nerve racking (apart from publication that is) because it is too late to make major changes, or even too many small ones apart from typo… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 14, 2009 at 3:56am — No Comments

Hidden Gems in International Markets

I'm attending the annual autumn seminar organised by the Independent Publishers Guild of Great Britian in London this week, and this year its topic is 'International Trade- The Hidden Gems.'

The Seminar will help independent publishers to make the most of their overseas business, identifying some territories they might not have considered in addition to providing up to date information on established export markets including North America, Australia and Ireland. It will provide some… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 9, 2009 at 11:14pm — No Comments

The jacket cover for the new Inspector Horton marine mystery crime novel

I've just received the jacket image for the cover of the new Inspector Horton marine mystery crime novel, Blood on the Sand, which is to be published by Severn House on 26 February 2010. I hope you like it. The design follows through from my previous crime novels using the marine theme. My crime novels are all set against the backdrop of the sea on the south… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 4, 2009 at 12:53am — 2 Comments

Good news for crime writers

Crime writers in the UK in particular will be pleased to learn that The Times has linked with CrimeFest for 2010 to provide media coverage. The increased publicity this will bring for the genre is to be welcomed. The Times will also be covering the Crime Writers Association (CWA) Dagger awards, which includes the CWA Dagger in the Library, which yours truly was delighted to be long listed for in 2008.

Since it first came to the UK in 2008 CrimeFest has become an… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 29, 2009 at 3:27am — No Comments

Some interesting facts -Crime/Mystery Books in the UK

Crime/Mystery Books

•In the 52 weeks to 13th September 2009 consumers

purchased an estimated 20.5 million crime/mystery books.

•6% of these books were bought as Christmas gifts.

•Retired people accounted for 23% of crime/mystery purchases.

•The average price paid for a crime/mystery hardback was £9.92.

•12% of crime/mystery books were bought online.

Source: BML's Books and Consumers survey.

For more information on this… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 21, 2009 at 12:36am — 3 Comments

THE END - or is it?

I was asked the other day how I feel when I tap out the immortal words THE END at the completion of a novel.

The timing of the question was quite eerie because I was just reaching the final pages of the copy edits of my latest DI Horton marine mystery crime novel Blood on the Sand which is being published by Severn House in February next year. It is the fifth in the Inspector Horton series.… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 21, 2009 at 12:21am — No Comments

Large Print, Reviews and Frankfurt

I received the large print edition of The Suffocating Sea, the third in the DI Andy Horton series of marine mystery crime novels last week, and it looks good. This will now be on sale on line or to order through bookshops, and also available on loan through libraries. In addition, The Suffocating Sea is available as a talking book, which can be bought as a… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 12, 2009 at 8:15pm — No Comments

Book contract signed for the new DI Horton

I’m delighted to announce that I have just signed a contract with Sutton/Severn House for the publication of the fifth DI Andy Horton Marine Mystery crime novel, BLOOD ON THE SAND, which will be published on 26 February 2010 at the same time as the paperback version of DEAD MAN’S WHARF.

For those of you who would like a taste of what is to come for Andy Horton look no further…

Blood On The Sand by Pauline Rowson

The fifth Inspector Horton Marine Mystery Crime… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 7, 2009 at 12:02am — 5 Comments

Guest Appearance at Mayors' Reception

I was delighted to be asked to the Mayor of Havant’s reception and the grand opening of the newly refurbished arts and heritage centre in Havant, Hampshire, called The Spring, on 2 October.

The mayor of Havant, Jackie Branson, was entertaining all the mayors from around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – twenty two of them I believe. It is a tradition that each mayor takes it in turn annually to host an event and to give a small gift to… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 4, 2009 at 12:58am — No Comments

Mini Book Tour A Success

There was certainly a welcome in the hillside and on the banks of the River Tyne for me in the north of England this week during my mini book tour, which kicked off at Newcastle City Library and ended at The Richmond Walking and Book Festival. I met some fantastic people who made me very welcome and very kindly bought tons of my books. Thank you.

The new city library at Newcastle is most impressive and a million miles away from the libraries of… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on October 2, 2009 at 11:51pm — No Comments

Novel Ideas

Ideas for novels come from a variety of sources: overheard conversations, stories relayed by others, personal experience, locations and the news. On my blog I recently mentioned the Windsurfing Festival on Hayling Island as a potential idea for an Inspector Andy Horton Marine Mystery crime novel, well here's another idea that popped into my Google Reader - Murder on the Hayling Seaside Express. For the first time since 1963 a steam passenger train is to return to Hayling Island.

Then… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on September 16, 2009 at 12:16am — No Comments

A busy Autumn ahead

It's official, Autumn is here (according to the Metrological office in Great Britain) and it's shaping up to be a lively time with several book signings and talks lined up, as well as the release of The Suffocating Sea (an Inspector Horton Marine Mystery) in Large Print and news (hopefully) when the NEW Andy Horton crime novel, Blood Upon The Sand, will be published.

September… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on September 1, 2009 at 7:16pm — No Comments

Optimistic and excited

I’ve been wrestling with the plot of my next Inspector Horton Marine Mystery crime novel over the last few days – hence the silence on my blog, and the silence around the house. I get so absorbed in it, that I find it hard to think of anything else. I’m just over two thirds of the way through writing the first draft and I’ve got to that stage where I need to know exactly where I’m going and with whom. You’d think I would have it all worked out by now, having written nearly seventy thousand… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on August 10, 2009 at 9:37pm — 8 Comments

New Audio Book ( and business books)

Today sees the official publication of the unabridged audio book version of The Suffocating Sea, the third in the Inspector Horton Marine Mystery series of crime novels set in the Solent area of the UK. It is also the publication date of three new marketing and sales books written by me.

The Suffocating Sea has been published by Isis Publishing as an Unabridged… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on August 2, 2009 at 1:45am — No Comments

Celebration Time

Hayling Island Library was buzzing with activity yesterday (although it doesn't look like it from the above photo-but it was, honest!) Throngs of local people turned up to celebrate its re-opening after its major refit.

The library has been completely redecorated and a new community room added with its own separate access allowing the library to run more group activity. There are now toilet facilities (handy when you're in the library a… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 28, 2009 at 8:10pm — No Comments

The Suffocating Sea To be Published in Large Print

I'm pleased to say that The Suffocating Sea, the third in the Inspector Horton Marine Mystery series of crime novels set in the Solent area of the UK, is to be published in Large Print in September.

I've also been told that it's coming out as an unabridged audio book but am waiting confirmation of the date. When I know it I'll post something here and on my web site at http://www.rowmark.co.uk/

I was chuffed when… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 19, 2009 at 3:38am — No Comments