I’m going to be giving a crime writing workshop in Dundee this Friday (the 10th June) with author and lecturer in creative writing, Eddie Small . We’ll be delving deep into the nuts and bolts of writing, and as a special treat Professor Sue Black, probably the UK’s top forensic anthropologist, will be on hand to answer questions.
This is a three hour course (from 14:00 to 17:00), held at West Park Conferencing and Events – 319 Perth Road, Dundee, DD2 1NN (find it on a map here)
A lot of people seem to think that IN THE COLD DARK GROUND was the last ever Logan McRae book, but they’re very, very wrong. Stuart has just signed a new three-book deal with the lovely people at HarperCollins, two of which will feature Logan and one of which will be a standalone (or maybe even another Ash Henderson). This means Stuart will be producing books all the way up to 2020!
Stuart’s editor Sarah Hodgson said: “I am over the moon to have secured a new three-book contract with the impossibly talented Stuart MacBride. We’ve worked together for well over ten years now, and I can honestly say that he continues to get better and better with every book, as his many fans will attest. He’s truly one of a kind, and nothing could give me greater pleasure than the knowledge that we have more of his wonderful novels coming our way.”
Stuart’s agent Philip Patterson said: “I am absolutely thrilled for Stuart MacBride and Sarah Hodgson and her hard-working team at HarperCollins. With superb writing and excellent publishing behind it, Stuart is deservedly a major bestseller. As each novel goes from strength to strength, I will look forward to continuing this excellent relationship.”
Stuart’s Stuart said: “At the risk of turning this into a cheesy mutual love-fest: I couldn’t be happier right now. Not only does the new three book deal mean I get to continue working with all the lovely people at HarperCollins, it also keeps my cat in shoes for the next few years. I’m really looking forward to more publishing hijinks and shenanigans with my excellent co-conspirators Sarah Hodgson and Philip Patterson.”
And Stuart’s cat Grendel said: “Prrrrrrrrp, meep!”
So there you go…
Stuart will be touring around the publication of IN THE COLD DARK GROUND this January – come dressed in your best tartan to celebrate the 10th Logan McRae book!
The new Logan McRae novel from the No. 1 bestselling author of CLOSE TO THE BONE and A SONG FOR THE DYING.
One mistake can cost you everything…
When you catch a twisted killer there should be a reward, right? What Acting Detective Inspector Logan McRae gets instead is a ‘development opportunity’ out in the depths of rural Aberdeenshire. Welcome to divisional policing – catching drug dealers, shop lifters, vandals and the odd escaped farm animal.
Then a little girl’s body washes up just outside the sleepy town of Banff, kicking off a massive manhunt. The Major Investigation Team is up from Aberdeen, wanting answers, and they don’t care who they trample over to get them.
Logan’s got enough on his plate keeping B Division together, but DCI Steel wants him back on her team. As his old colleagues stomp around the countryside, burning bridges, Logan gets dragged deeper and deeper into the investigation.
One thing’s clear: there are dangerous predators lurking in the wilds of Aberdeenshire, and not everyone’s going to get out of this alive…
Every year the World Stovies Championships are held at the Huntly Hairst. For those not in the know, Stovies are a traditional dish of potatoes, onion, and meat, and nearly everyone in Scotland has their own version. Some get passed down through the generations, some are closely guarded secrets, and everyone’s version is the ONLY RIGHT WAY TO MAKE THEM. And that’s entirely correct. As there’s no set recipe for Stovies, so you can pretty much do what you like with them, setting brother against brother, sister against sister, sister against brother, and brother against family dog.
And this year, I’m delighted, honoured, and a little aroused, to announce that the 2014 WORLD STOVIES CHAMPION is me. BWAHAHAHAHA!
Now, if anyone kicks off with ‘My grannie makes the best stovies in the world!’ I can go fetch my shiny trophy and plonk it on the table. ‘Well, speaking as the World Stovies Champion…’ Etc.
And now here’s a photo of me with the Big Wooden Bowl of Winning (which I have to give back next year) and the Tiny Metal Trophy of Boasting (which I get to keep).
Our Bearded Protagonist with his trophies
My recipe for these World Beating stovies, will appear in the upcoming cookery book by the people behind Crimespree Magazine – which promises to be a cornucopia of edible delight, with recipes from crime writers all over the world!
Yes, the second Ash Henderson book, A SONG FOR THE DYING will be out in paperback on the 31st of July. If you haven’t already read it, here’s the blurb…
HE’S BACK…
Eight years ago, ‘The Inside Man’ murdered four women and left three more in critical condition – all with their stomachs slit open and a plastic doll stitched inside.
And then the killer just … disappeared.
Ash Henderson was a Detective Inspector on the initial investigation, but a lot can change in eight years. His family has been destroyed, his career is in tatters, and one of Oldcastle’s most vicious criminals is making sure he spends the rest of his life in prison.
Now a nurse has turned up dead, a plastic doll buried beneath her skin, and it looks as if Ash might finally get a shot at redemption. At earning his freedom.
At revenge.
Oh yes, it’s back – the PowerPoint presentation that just won’t quit! Well, it’s had two outings so far and it seems a shame to leave it languishing in the depths of my hard drive, unseen and unloved. The Edinburgh International Book Festival website is all, “Oh, he’s so gory and scary” but don’t you listen to them. This will be family-friendly fun, with very little swearing and possibly a sing-song.
WARNING: may contain instances of mild zombie rampage!
Tickets are available on the festival website: here.
Yes, it’s Bloody Scotland o’clock again and I’ll be doing something exciting in the Hotel Colessio with naughty old Mark Billingham. We’ve no idea what we’re going to talk about, but you can bet your best pair of socks there’s going to be a barney at some point over just how disturbed you have to be to eat sinful Marmite.
According to the website:
“Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride are a funny pair – literally. As a stand-out crime writer and stand-up comedian, Mark Billingham has a unique reputation for the mixing of thrilling storylines with humour. Stuart MacBride has carved out a reputation for darkly comic dialogue in his gruesome crime thrillers set in the granite city – his latest novel A Song for the Dying is more of the same. Join Mark and Stuart in conversation about their latest novels and how they find humour in the darkest places.”
But don’t worry, there’s still going to be that Marmite fight. Like mud wrestling, only stickier and more smelly.
Tickets available here: Buy some lovely tickets for Stuart and Mark’s argument(s).
Yes, it’s that time of year again, when the PowerPoint presentation of DOOM is unleashed once more upon the unsuspecting public. This time, it’ll be the good people of Huntly and the surrounding environs who’ll be feeling it’s wrath.
I’m not doing a lot of events this year, so this is probably your last chances in 2014 to find out why swearing isn’t big or clever, but is hardwired into our brains, and why you should never get in a lift with Jurassic Park superstar Sam Neill.
Tickets are £7.00 (all of which goes to help pay for the rest of the book festival) and it’ll be at the OAP Hall on Church Street, Huntly, AB54 8DU
For more information, try the festival website: www.HuntlyBookFestival.co.uk
Come along and join me for an in-depth chat about the Ash Henderson novels: BIRTHDAYS FOR THE DEAD and A SONG FOR THE DYING.
This bookclub event is open to all comers, but will contain spoilers. So make sure you’ve actually read the books first! Come ask questions.
Tickets are £10.oo with all proceeds helping to fund the rest of the festival. It’s at 17:00 till 18:00 in the Brander Library
For more information, try the festival website: www.HuntlyBookFestival.co.uk