Pauline Rowson's Blog – July 2008 Archive (10)

Murder Mystery Evening A Huge Success

When a body of a woman was found in Portsmouth Central Library, on the evening of 25 July 2008, I and fellow crime writer,June Hampson were on hand to help solve the puzzle, but we were banned from doing so. Why? Because this was a murder mystery evening organised by library staff. And a hugely successful event it was too.

Over sixty guests were asked to follow a trail of clues scattered around the three floors of the library to uncover the… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 27, 2008 at 9:05pm — 1 Comment

Murder Mystery Evening

I've just returned from a meeting with Portsmouth Library to discuss the final planning for the Murder Mystery evening to be held this Friday. It sounds as though it is going to be great fun. Tickets were sold out almost immediately and there is a waiting list for the next one! So well done Portsmouth Library. I'm looking forward to it. They'll be Pimms on the balcony after the event and time for guests to buy signed copies of my books if they wish. I only have a very small part to play in the… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 23, 2008 at 4:23am — No Comments

From PowerPoint to Paperback

Yesterday I was invited to talk at a businesswomen’s networking lunch sponsored by the legal firm, Warner Goodman in aid of the magnificent and worthwhile charity, Kids. My talk was on my unusual route from businesswoman to best selling crime writer and how I apply my marketing and PR skills to the business of being an author. For many years I ran a marketing agency, have been a professional trainer and public speaker and publisher, all of which come… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 17, 2008 at 5:08pm — No Comments

Publishing News to cease

PUBLISHING NEWS, THE UK book trade weekly magazine, is to cease publication. The news has just popped into my in box. The statement says that the publication, founded in 1979, has been hit by the same problems that have affected all magazines and newspapers, as advertisers have shifted increasing proportions of their spend to online and direct sales. Being in the 'book business' I have worked with Publishing News for about the last ten years and will miss them. Good luck to the editorial staff… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 16, 2008 at 5:14pm — No Comments

Crime Writer's Dagger Awards

Well the Crime Writers' Association Awards evening is now over (10 July 2008) and the winner of the Duncan Lawrie Dagger is Frances Fyfield. Well done to Frances. Well done also to Craig Russell who won the Dagger in the Library Award, which, now the hush-hush secrecy is all over and done with, I can reveal that I was nominated for it. OK, so I didn't make the shortlist but I was delighted and excited to get to the long list having not been around in crime… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 14, 2008 at 12:54am — No Comments

Calling UK Crime Writers

There's some really good stuff here on crimespace and some lively debates and interesting articles. If and when I have more time I'll join in - promise. I'm curious to know if any UK crime writers are on crimespace. If so give me a shout. I belong to the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain, if there are also any other members of this organisation out there say 'hello'. I'll also post something on my wall.

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 12, 2008 at 1:18am — 3 Comments

Audio Books and E Books

My second Inspector Horton novel, Deadly Waters is out in audio format as a download and as a CD and in cassette form on www.audible.co.uk where you can listen to an excerpt of it being read by the British actor Gordon Griffin. It's strange hearing your work… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 9, 2008 at 3:44am — No Comments

It's been book signing week

It's been book signing week with Hythe Library on Tuesday, the Plessey Retirement Association yesterday, and today I've been in my local bookshop, The Hayling Island Bookshop, to do another signing on the publication of my marine mystery, Deadly Waters. It went really well and I was delighted to meet up with so many of my readers and meet new ones. Being on home ground it's a more relaxing signing than on strange ground where you're always wondering if anyone will turn up.

There was… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 6, 2008 at 2:06am — No Comments

A View To Die For

Returned from London this morning after a reception held in Penguin Publishers office yesterday evening. Their offices are in the Strand and in what used to be the Shell building. The function room has a balcony overlooking the Thames and it was a scorching hot sunny evening with a view to die for. It looked out onto the London Eye, with the River curving its way past the Houses of Parliament on one side and up to St Paul's on the other. I only wish I'd had my camera. I could have stayed on the… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 3, 2008 at 4:11am — No Comments

What comes first plot or character?

It's a question that I often get asked when I give talks and readings and it's a difficult one to answer or at least to explain. The two are so interlinked that it is impossible to say, well for me at least. This week has been a fairly clear week so I thought I'd crack on with the new Inspector Horton novel. The idea for the novel came easily, based on something I'd been told - more than that I can't say otherwise I'll give the game away. Beginning to turn the idea into a workable plot started… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 1, 2008 at 1:25am — 2 Comments