A year in the life of a crime writer, Pauline Rowson looks back over 2011

[Pauline Rowson]

With the New Year almost upon us it's that time of year to take a look back over the events of 2011, and for me it's been a busy and productive year. 

Here are some of the highlights of 2011.

January saw the launch of the second Crime Writers’ Association Young Crime Writers Competition 2011. I was the judge of the South Coast entries with the winner going forward for the National prize which was announced during National Crime Writing Week 13 - 19 June.

During January my media appearances included an interview with Sally Cronin on Portsmouth Live TV, with Julian Clegg on BBC Radio Solent  and with Darren Gamblen on Express FM 93.7FM.

On the book front January saw the publication of another Inspector Andy Horton crime novel.

Footsteps On The Shore, the sixth in the Inspector Andy Horton series was  published in hardback by Severn House both in the UK and in the USA where it received great reviews.

February kicked off with another media interview on Express FM (93.7FM) when I was on the Terry In The Afternoon Show, and on 24 February Dead Man's Wharf ( the fourth in the Inspector Andy Horton series) was published by Severn House in Large Print

More media interviews followed in March on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent and there was a trip over the Isle of Wight to be interviewed by David Nove on Angel Radio.

Dead Man's Wharf  hailed as 'an exemplary procedural' in the USA was published in mass market paperback.

April saw the publication of Blood on the Sand  number five in the DI Andy Horton series in mass market paperback.

Also in April there was the London Book Fair and following this on Sunday 17 I gave a talk on what inspires me to write my marine mystery crime novels at the Isle of Wight Festival, Ventnor - The Arts Festival by the Sea at the Royal Hotel, Ventnor.

Also in April was the announcement of the winner of the Young Crime Writers' Association Competition and the presentation of prizes and certificates at Portsmouth Central Library.

George Neame, the southern area winner of the CWA Young Crime Writers Competition receiving a certificate, a £10 book token and a copy of two DI Andy Horton crime novels by Pauline Rowson, Dead Man’s Wharf and Blood on the Sand.

In May  I appeared on the Book Programme on Live @ Five on Portsmouth Live TV  and again on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent.

My public appearances included  at talk given to the The Probus Club of Havant where I talked about the inspiration behind my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime series and how I write my crime and thriller novels.

May also saw the annual crime convention - CrimeFest  where I was on a panel and met up with DI Andy Horton fans from as far afield as America and Australia, other crime authors and my publisher.

Pauline Rowson with Stella Heyle from Connecticut, USA.

Crime authors Pauline Rowson and Matt Hilton at Crimefest 2011

Kerrie Smith from Mysteries in Paradise Blog Australia with crime author Pauline Rowson

Pauline Rowson with her Publisher Edwin Buckhalter of Severn House

13- 19 June was National Crime Writing Week, organised by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain (CWA), of which I am a member. During the week I ran a Crime Writing Workshop at Quay Arts Centre on the Isle of Wight.

This interactive and fun workshop was packed with lots of practical advice and tips on constructing plots and sub plots; building believable characters; generating suspense and tension, adding red herrings and clues, and exploring writing techniques that grip editors, agents and readers alike.

Then on June 20  it was another trip across the Solent  to Newport on the Isle of Wight to present prizes to the winners of the Wight Fair Writers Circle Crime Writing Competition.

I also appeared on the Alex Dyke Show on BBC Radio Solent  talking to Alex and listeners about my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novels and thrillers set in the South.

In August Footsteps on the Shore, number six in the DI Horton series, was published in paperback, and in September  Footsteps on the Shore was published as an e book and on Kindle.

Also in September,  I appeared on Portsmouth Live TV on the Adrian and Sally Show when I was joined by Fingerprint expert, Jane Aston from Hampshire Constabulary.

Pauline Rowson with Jane Aston, Adrian Knight and Sally Cronin on Portsmouth Live TV

In October I was on BBC Radio Solent  talking to Julian Clegg , on Express FM Radio, Vectis Radio IOW,  and on Angel Radio talking to David Nove with fellow crime authors Bob and Carol Bridgestock who also appeared with me at CSI Portsmouth in November.

From left to right: Carol Bridgestock, David Nove, Pauline Rowson and Bob Bridgestock

Pauline Rowson getting ready to go on air with Peter Walkden Vectis Radio

November brought with it the very successful annual event: CSI Portsmouth where crime fact meets crime fiction.  This was held on Saturday 5 November during Portsmouth BookFest. 

I gave a talk on 'Writing the Crime Novel,' and appeared on a panel with Mark Billingham, John Harvey and Michael Ridpath and with police and forensic experts. It was a great day.

Pauline Rowson giving a talk on Writing A Crime Novel at CSI Portsmouth

Crime experts and crime authors with  moderator Cheryl Buggy at CSI Portsmouth 2011

Other public appearances during the month included a very successful talk at the U3A Sarum, Salisbury  meeting on 16 November.

In December Blood on the Sand, the fifth in the DI Horton series was published in Large Print by Severn House.

And once again I was delighted to be one of Julian Clegg's guests at his Christmas Party on 23 December.

All in all a very productive and successful year.  Looking forward to 2012 with lots more talks, media interviews and guest appearances coming up, and of course the publication of more crime novels starting with the NEW DI Andy Horton marine mystery police procedural crime novel, number seven in this popular series: A Killing Coast published on 26 January 2012.

Wishing all my readers and very happy, healthy and successful 2012.

Calendar of events 2012

Pauline Rowson is the author of the popular marine mystery police procedural crime series featuring DI Andy Horton, set on the South Coast of England in the Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and Solent area.

A Killing Coast, the seventh in the DI Horton series is published in hardcover in the UK on 26 January 2012 and in the USA on 1 May 2012.

She is also the author of two standalone thrillers, In Cold Daylight, which came third in an on line poll of the UK's most favourite books for World Book Day and In For The Kill.

“Deserves mention in the same breath as the work of Ed McBain and Joseph Wambaugh...Peter Robinson and John Harvey.” Booklist Starred Review of Footsteps on the Shore

[Pauline Rowson]

Thanks, Patricia. Best of luck to you also in 2012.  I hope you have a happy, healthy and successful year.

[Patricia Gligor]

Pauline,

Congratulations on your success in 2011. That was quite an impressive list! Best of luck in 2012!