Booker and Cash #1
Writer’s diary: stardate: 24.01.2014
After a year and a bit of weekly blog posts I sometimes struggle to find things to write about. (My mum thinks that’s been evident for a good while.) So it is a relief to have something special to blog about this week. Special to me, anyway. I’m releasing my sixth novel. It’s called Bad Sons and it is the first of my Booker & Cash stories.
I finished the first draft a year ago. Something I find quite incredible. The fact that it’s taken this long for me to get around to getting it out there bears testimony to how busy I’ve been with my author-publishing in the last twelve months. Still, I always think that newborn stories and authors should spend time apart – a bit like authors and newborn babies, although for different reasons.
I was inspired to write Bad Sons after reading a Raymond Chandler, which I was pretty smitten with. I remember being bowled over by his style and turn of phrase. I remember thinking, I can do that. I’ll have a go. Actually, I can’t do it. Not yet. About the closest I’ve come to any of Chandler’s books with Bad Sons is that the chapters are short. It’s a start. (Look at me being all positive for a second.) Regardless of me failing to emulate Chandler’s style, wit, turn of phrase, characterisation, plotting and sense of drama, I honestly think that Bad Sons isn’t a bad read.
When I self-published my Acer Sansoms, I blogged about whether I should have written them under a pseudonym. I’m glad I didn’t. Now, I’m wondering/worrying whether I should publish Bad Sons under a pseudonym. (Raymond Chandelier sounds good to me.) But for different reasons. Maybe I’ll be sorry that I didn’t this time. And here’s why.
The book is based in my ‘home’ village: Dymchurch – a small seaside settlement on Romney Marsh, Kent. That’s in England. (I just can’t stop writing about Romney Marsh, Romney & Marsh. Next book is an alien invasion novel called Romney Martians.) In fact the ‘bookshop’ that is the main location in the story is a property I own. (I’m taking write-about-what-you-know to the limit with this one.) It’s not a bookshop at the moment, but I can dream.
The reason I’m slightly anxious about putting out Bad Sons under my own name is that I have not been gushingly complimentary about the area in which I spent over forty years of my life – and still visit a couple of times a year. In places I may come across as a tad…unenthusiastic. Some local people might take offence. Some might take the gate, if it’s still there. Some people might take it upon themselves to put the odd brick through my front window. (That wouldn’t hurt me, by the way. I don’t run the business that operates out of the ground floor and you’d have to have a bloody good arm to reach up to my bedroom window with a house-brick.) I feel some of what I’ve written about the area, but I’ve also exaggerated a bit. It’s a work of fiction. Every location I’ve referred to, bar one, exists and I have described them as I see them, as I know them. Every character in the book is made up. (Should I put that bit in block caps?)
For the record, my personal feelings for Romney Marsh, as I get older and wiser and more appreciative, are overwhelmingly positive. More on that in book two. But you’ve got to start somewhere.
Bad Sons should be on Amazon tomorrow, Saturday, all things being equal. It will be £1.99. (This week I aligned all my books’ prices at £1.99. More on that in another post.) But I don’t want any of the followers of my blog, you good people who have been so supportive of my writing, to pay for the book. I’m enrolling it in Amazon’s KDP Select programme so that I can give it away for free on Sunday. This will probably be the only day I do give it away, so get it while it’s hot. It’s something of a thank you, a token of my sincere gratitude for your continued support.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Brilliant. A new series to read!!!!!
Wow! That was quick! I only just pressed ‘publish’. Hope you like it, Elaine.
I’ve not commented for a while due to commitments. Having read all of your previous books I know this book will be as good as the previous works of yours. I’m super excited to get my hands on the book and give it a read. Looking forward to more R&M!
Dan
Hi Dan
Thanks for your kind words. I look forward to seeing what you think of this one. R&M 4 is written in first draft form. Should be out in a couple of months.
Best wishes.
I can’t wait for Sunday! Thank you Oliver 🙂
Thanks, Liz. My pleasure.
Best wishes.
hey I was only in Dymchurch this afternoon – Hubs went to the Bookshop that does exist, as we do most weeks! I used to work in Dym, I wonder if I’m in the book thinly disguised. It was one of my favourite places to work (not the crap job) for the never ending adventures and Dylan Thomas type characters. ♥
Hi
I always look forward to the Hospice bookshop when I go home. I preferred it before the refit though. It was much more like a second-hand bookshop. I’ve had some great bargains there. I look forward to seeing what you make of Bad Sons.
Best wishes.
quote – Paul Nash “Poor Dym is swamped not with water, but with people. Oh what people, I almost wish the sea would come over the wall and drown the bloody lot”
I love that quote. I’ve mentioned Nash a couple of times in Bad Sons. Dymchurch must have been truly beautiful and unspoilt before the motor car.
Do you read Dymchurch online? When all else pales it can be hilarious (to me anyway) eg At the recreation ground play area, bottles have been stuck to picnic tables with super glue. And in the forums the seasons pics of drowning vehicles sinking in to the mud as the tide comes up.
No. But I’m going to search for it now. I love to see a drowning vehicle at least once a summer. It’s like hearing your first cuckoo.
I’ve just read the “free sample”. Brilliant, and looking forward to the rest of it. Has your wife read it?
Thanks. ‘Has your wife read it?’ That made me laugh out loud on a couple of levels. I know why you ask. All I can say is it’s not meant to be autobiographical. 🙂
I found Dymchurch online. I filled out the contact form inviting them to read my book.
Oliver, just read the first two pages of Bad Sons, the writing is so tight: love it; fantastic. I know It will be a page turner. You’ve surpassed yourself this time.
Thanks, Pat. I appreciate your comment. I was trying a different style. I like the spare prose of the greats.
Best wishes
Looking forward to Sunday. Just downloaded a sample. Another Romney and Marsh on the way. I am happy.
Thanks, Katie. I hope you get it for free tomorrow and enjoy it. R&M 4 is coming on nicely. A couple of months and it should be on Amazon.
Best wishes.
It’s been Sunday for nearly 2 hours … bloody Amazon!
I just looked it up on Amazon after suffering a mild heart attack on realizing the promotion hasn’t started yet. Apparently, promotions are based on Pacific time which is GMT+8. Amazon advise this time is approximate. Phew!
Sorry to be a bit negative here, but to quote Amazon “Borrow for free from your Kindle device Join Amazon Prime”. I read your books on my iPad Mini and Amazon Prime costs £49 a year. That does not add up to ‘free’ for me.
I’ll save up my pennies and (possibly) pay full price (which, granted, is not very much).
Regards from a (developing) fan of your books…
Jim R.
No problem, Jim. The promotions go live based on Pacific time which is Amazon head office location. GMT+8 or there abouts. Look back later in the day and it should be free.
Best wishes.
Got it! Thanks.
Jim
Good to know, Jim. I had a bit of a panic attack this end until I found out about the time difference involved. I hope you enjoy the read,
Best wishes.
Just downloaded the book here in the UK for free! Looking forward to reading it!
Great news, Dan. Thanks. I hope you enjoy it.
Best wishes.
Sorry about the heart attack – just downloaded it (free) Thanks for the gift. ♥
It’s a genuine pleasure. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Best wishes.
Just downloaded the new book. If it’s half as good as the R&M’s and the Acer Sansom’s I’ll be best pleased. Now then, stop fannying about and get the 4th R&M done? 😉 Seriously though…..damned fine work Mr.Tidy….damned fine!
Haha…thanks, Andy. I hope it is. I think it is. Good to see you got a copy. I’m actually working on the finished first draft of the 4th R&M today.
Thanks for your encouraging words.
Best wishes.
50% in to it – I just jumped out of my skin and had to come out for daylight. Gripping stuff … Excellent.
50% already!?! That’s great. Good to know it’s holding your interest. Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing how the rest of it works for you. 🙂
Just finished it – really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down for long. Encore …
and thanks again ♥
Wow! Super fast reading. Really pleased that you enjoyed it. Thanks for your continued support.
Best wishes.
And congrats to the editor (or typist?) too, I only found 2 tiny typos in the entire book. Dymchurch will never be quite the same. I’ve walked on most of the ground you covered, loading up furniture and so on!
I shall pass your comments on to Martin. He does my proofreading for me. Haha, yes, I really did stay close to home for the details of this one. If you’ve loaded furniture out the back of the charity shop you’ll know that crunching pea-shingle and the builder’s yard over the back.
I mentioned you on Dym online, in a forum. The admin on that site only works 4 days a year max possibly. Anyway, Dym may have in you a new Russell Thorndike and thus another bank holiday spectacular. Would that work? x
Thanks very much. I read somewhere that the most valuable resource to an aspiring writer is word of mouth. Much appreciated.
I won’t hold my breath for the admin on Dym online to get back to me. I was wondering why they hadn’t replied. A new Thorndike? Works for me. haha What would we call the bi-annual day – ‘Day of Death’ perhaps, or ‘Day of Synners’. Maybe I could run guided tours over the Booker and Cash plot geography. I’m sure the Hospice wouldn’t mind me traipsing through the furniture shop. 🙂
from Dymchurch online
“Oliver has self-published this and I believe other books. He has managed to get them available on Kindle which is pretty good. I know his mother, he’s from round here but lives in Budapest now. I think all his books are based on the Marsh. ”
ps you have grass growing in your gutter hopper, the walls will get damp!
That”s great. Thank you. Much appreciated.
As for that grass in the rainwater hopper, Im just waiting for it to stop raining and i will get up there. Can”t tell you how much Im looking forward to that – because im not.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver, I never get my weekly blog till Monday morning, so no chance of a freebie! No problems though, because if Bad Sons is as good as R & M, and Acer Samson, I am quite happy to pay for it. I know Dymchurch well, so look forward to getting stuck into it.
Regards
Andy
Hi Andy
Sorry you missed the free promo. If you do download it, I’ll be interested to learn what you make of it, especially as you know the area. And thanks for the kind words regarding my other books. Much appreciated.
Best wishes.
Hi Oliver,
Finished Bad Sons last night, it was a page turner and kept me guessing. Liked the tight writing style. Never been to that part of the country but your descriptions of it were fantastic. Left me wanting more.
Best wishes.
Pat.
Hi Pat
Many thanks for your great comment. Much appreciated. I”m glad you liked it.
Back in UK at the moment. Not loving the weather.
Best wishes
Hi, Oliver, finished Bad Sons yesterday. Couldn’t put it down. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book. Kind regards, Debs
Hi Debs
Thanks for letting me know. I’m glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for the great comment on Amazon. I appreciate it. R&M 4 next. Should be out in a couple of months.
Best wishes
Enjoyed B&C (though thought the Derek Jarman comments were rather uncalled for and unfair). I also like R&M 1 and 2 but I did not like R&M 3 at all – vastly over egged. But I’ll certainly give 4 a go. I’ll probably try Samson too next.
Hello
Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate your thoughts (noted) and your interest in my writing. R&M 4 should be out in a couple of months. If you give Acer a go , please let me know what you think.
Best wishes.
hello oliver so glad to have discovered your books,never read much before my daughter bought me a kindle,have read all your books and living in ramsgate can picture all scenes.just finished bad sons,and had to google operation pluto to see if it was true and found a wonderful old black white film all about it thank you so much.
Peter,
Many thanks for getting in touch. I’m genuinely pleased to learn that you’ve enjoyed my books. Thanks for letting me know. It really does make all the difference to me. (And thank your daughter for me, please.)
I have to say that I was pretty amazed to learn about PLUTO. A fascinating project all but forgotten. Those old bungalows that were built to house the pumps and the soldiers are now converted residential properties.
I feel an odd sense of having done something worthy in remembering the efforts of those men and women in print. It’s not a feeling I often experience.
Best wishes and thanks again.