Should I write a crime novel?
Also, 2025 Regional Press Awards, Journalist scoops book deal, Newspaper ABCs, Tik Tok book award winners, Business Book of year shortlist., Short Story Slam & more
My dear wordsmiths,
I have for you a bumper news, events and opportunities section today so if you do-nothing else - read that bit! How are you this week? I’m trying to get this done early as I’ve been a bit deadline challenged recently. Like most journalists, I see a deadline as a whimsical time frame or theoretical concept to flirt with. In other words I’ll probably hit it but, if I can manage last minute and give everyone a heart attack, I will. This week I’m determined to up my game on this newsletter although, after 25 years working for daily news brands, it may be too late.
Anyway, life is very busy at the moment and like most people I’m struggling to get motivated with writing/querying, the latter being (as we all know) soul destroying. I’m doing what I always do which is move on with multiple projects at once while working more than full time and fighting my demons. Just like everyone else, I’m sure. But as I query my current novel, I am already thinking of the next and I keep coming back to the idea of writing a crime novel.
It’s the obvious thing for me to do as after all I’m a former crime reporter, I’ve handled and led large crime stories as an editor, I’ve co-written a non-fiction book about murders (Lancashire’s Most Notorious Murders) and written/presented/featured in crime documentaries. Duh, I hear you say. But the reality is I’m an instinctive fiction writer and my two completed novels (although both feature some death and mystery) are not cookie cutter crime novels. Also I’m a pantster (I don’t plan hugely) and the huge crime books hitting the charts at the moment are very much of the type planned by spreadsheet with mathematically determined twists. Food for thought..
Just a reminder you can catch my socials here (via LinkTree)
8 x news, events, and opportunities in brief
Journalism
2025 Regional Press Awards: Now open for entries, this is your chance to stand out in the world of UK journalism and have your work celebrated on a national stage. Whether you’re a seasoned journalist, a rising star, or part of an exceptional team, this is your moment to shine. Early bird discounts are available.
2024 Georgina Henry awards by Women In Journalism: Open for entries now with a deadline of September 20, the annual £4,000 prize is in memory of the Guardian’s late deputy editor, Georgina Henry, also a former Women in Journalism chair. The prize is used to support an initiative by the applicant. Applicants can be any age, working in either print or multimedia and the winner will also join the WiJ committee, and become an honorary Women in Journalism Fellow.
Journalist to have book published: Via industry site Hold the front page, Jersey Evening Post journalist Kelly Frost’s The Kings Head is set to be published by Atlantic Fiction.
How are UK newspapers faring? Via Press Gazette, the latest monthly rundown of newspaper ABC’s - the metric for counting newspaper sales. The Sunday People suffered the biggest decline in print circulation among the UK’s national newspapers in July.
Books and writingICYMI Tik Tok book award winners: Via BBC, A psychological thriller by Lisa Jewell and an adult fantasy novel by Rebecca Yarros were among the winners at the TikTok Book Awards for 2024. The winners at the ceremony in London were voted for by thousands of members of the #BookTok community on the video-sharing app.
Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year: Via FT, Books on Donald Trump’s finances and Bill Gates’ influence go head to head with titles about the challenges of artificial intelligence, the impact of demographic change and how business can do the right thing.
Lancashire Short Story slam : Part of the Lancashire Fringe Festival, this short story slam brings shy, reclusive writers out of from behind the cold comfort of their laptops and into the light in front of a live audience. There are 12 writers - and ultimately only one winner, with a £100 prize. Event takes place on Friday, October 5, 2024.
Scots poet Len Pennie on raising awareness of mental health issues: Via my colleagues at the Scotsman, the best-selling Scots poet on dealing with unexpected success, the horror of online trolls, and the importance of poetry as a means of raising awareness of mental health issues
Have an event or opportunity to feature here? Or are you a writer, agent, publisher or journalist who would like to to feature in the Q&A?
Thanks for reading as always! Nx