Blog posts
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I have finished my edits on the latest Jack Harris novel (due out November 2026) and thought it was worth reminding emerging writers of the importance of the process. Editing has meant working with the excellent team at Joffe Book (Polly and Tarek) and I always ask myself the same questions as part of the…
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Myself, pictured here, and fellow crime writer Ian Robinson, pictured below, recently staged an ‘in-conversation with’ event at the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway. The theme was ideas and we based it on a comment by Robertson Davies, Canadian novelist, playwright, and critic, who said when asked where he found his ideas:…
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Authors (from left) May Rinaldi, Linda Duncan McLaughlin, Denise Mina, Frances Crawford and Kirsty Lockwood launch Bloody Scotland 2026 (Picture: Paul Reich) Crime fiction fans will head for Stirling on Friday 18 September for the Bloody Scotland festival. Last year, the festival introduced a guest programmer, in the shape of Sir Ian Rankin; this year…
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As the debate rages about the malign influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), two Freelance Champions have been appointed to speak on behalf of more than 700,000 self-employed freelancers in the shaping of future government policy. Among the organisations welcoming the appointment of Leila D’Aronville and Lizzie Crump are the Society of Authors (SoA); many authors…
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I am delighted to see more and more authors joining literary agents, publishers, booksellers and editors in the campaign through articles on their websites and social media to educate the public about the risks presented by fraudsters at work in the industry. Scammers can be plausible so are difficult to spot and I am sure…
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Have you ever fancied sitting down at dinner with a crime writer and exploring the darkest recesses of their murderous imagination over the dessert? A unique event in Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway will offer guests the opportunity to do just that with two best-selling crime writers and one of the most highly respected editors…
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I am looking forward to Thursday (September 10) because it is Publication Day for the latest crime novel featuring Detective Chief Inspector John Blizzard. The Informer, the 27th of my books to be published by The Book Folks, a Joffe Books imprint, is the 13th featuring Blizzard and is set as usual in the fictional…
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There is still time to enter one of the UK’s biggest writing competitions, which seeks to find the next best-selling crime writer of colour. The aim of the competition, which was established in 2021 by the crime publisher Joffe Books and is now in its sixth year, is to discover and launch talented crime writers…
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The industry we love is being blighted by scammers who adopt the names of authors, agents, editors and publishers in order to con the unwary into helping them to bring about financial benefit for themselves. I have come across several in recent months because, in addition to being a crime writer I also write children’s…
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Joffe Books, who I am proud to call my publisher is one of the sponsors of a new entry into the calendar of crime fiction events. Preston Crime Fiction Festival happens in the Lancashire city between September 25 and 27 and will start with moderator Harry Navinski, and fellow authors Guy Hale, Sarah Mellor, Roger…
