Summer seems to have arrived at last and I’ve now moved into my writing shed at the bottom of the garden (my daily commute has doubled but it’s well worth it!) I’m not sure why but I find it easier to write in the shed with its view of greenery rather than my office overlooking the street (too many distractions there probably with all the comings and goings). I suppose writers are naturally curious creatures so any unusual arrival at a neighbour’s sets the imagination running. ‘What if?’ is the eternal question a crime writer asks him (or her) self.
Anyway, the next Wesley novel (entitled Dead Man’s Lane) is on its fifth draft now and will soon be ready to send to the publisher. The other good news is that THE MECHANICAL DEVIL will be out in paperback on 2nd August and I’m hoping to arrange a series of book signings to celebrate the occasion. Keep an eye on my website to find out when and where (https://www.kateellis.co.uk/events)
For those of you waiting for the follow up to A HIGH MORTALITY OF DOVES I’m pleased to confirm that THE BOY WHO LIVED WITH THE DEAD, the second book in the Albert Lincoln Trilogy, will be published at the beginning of December – just in time for Christmas.
It was lovely to meet readers at Waterstones in Shrewsbury in April when I visited that lovely historic town for the annual Crime Writers’ Association conference. I’ve visited Shrewsbury a number of times and I have happy memories of taking my sons to the Brother Cadfael Experience (where they could dress up as little monks and practise their calligraphy in the scriptorum!!!) Sadly the Brother Cadfael Experience is no longer open but being in the town reminded me of those Ellis Peters mysteries that I’ve enjoyed so much. Unexpectedly I was asked to do a radio interview for BBC Radio Shropshire while I was there which was great fun.
Since then I’ve spoken at Sale Library in Manchester for National Crime Reading Month and attended CrimeFest in Bristol where I moderated a panel (on bringing a supernatural element into crime fiction) and took part in another panel on ‘Historical Noir’ (moderated by my fellow Liverpudlian, the excellent Barry Forshaw). I was delighted to have a short story in CrimeFest’s tenth anniversary anthology Ten Year Stretch(mine is called Crime Scene and is set at a Crime Writing Festival in Paris) and it was an honour to see my story alongside those of such crime writing greats as Lee Child, Jeffrey Deaver and Ann Cleeves.
At the end of May I travelled to Ilfracombe in North Devon for the wedding of my late friend, Ruth’s, son which was a lovely occasion blessed by Mediterranean sunshine. While I was there I spoke at Ilfracombe Library. It was lovely to meet lots of readers there and afterwards to have dinner with my friend and fellow writer Ruth Downie who writes the fantastic Russo series set in Roman Britannia.
June will be busy with a Detection Club dinner in London followed closely by a (non-writing) visit to Granada – although I can’t guarantee I won’t get a few ideas while I’m there. After I get back I’m looking forward to presenting a Murder Mystery Evening at Neston Library (in the Wirral – not my fictional Neston in Devon!) on 21st and to taking part in Lymm Festival with my fellow writers Martin Edwards and Sarah Ward on the 28th. Do come along if you can.
Happy reading!