Daynote - Thu 14 May
A busy day in the city.
I was absolutely DELIGHTED yesterday to get a hardback copy of my second book, SOLITARY AGENTS (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon) in the post from my editor, Toby Jones at Headline Books!
My big box of author copies is still on its way, but Toby sent me a copy so I could have one just to hold and I'm so glad he did. It's such a gorgeously produced book and I love the canary yellow hardback case, when you take the slipcover off (see second image above). Gorgeous!
Back into town today for a day in the office, followed by an event this evening - I'm off to see Nick Binge talking about his new book ABYSS with Gareth Brown, tonight at Toppings Edinburgh. If you're going along, I'll see you there!
I'll also very likely spend some time on my lunch break perusing the tables at the annual book sale at the New Town Church on George Street, which is always amazing. It finishes tomorrow, so if you're in central Edinburgh I'd highly recommend popping along.
ON DECK: A slow one this morning (due to commuting) - just 28 words cut across one chapter. I might get a bit more done on the train home later tonight, but I'm usually very out of steam in the evening, so this might just be one of those days where a tiny, tiny little bit of progress must be valued for its symbolic progression, rather than a day when I actually push things forward significantly. It happens.
Yesterday I did have a very fun return visit recording with the amazing Page One Podcast, which should be out shortly before Book 2 comes out!
LISTENING: Brilliant episode of the In My Good Books podcast with Chris Brookmyre, talking about his new book QUITE UGLY ONE EVENING, thirty years after the first Jack Parlabane novel. I still remember the first time I read a Brookmyre novel (at high school, it blew my mind) and I'll never tire of hearing him talking about his work.
WATCHING: A bunch more BOB'S BURGERS last night. I'm really enjoying the current series. Just excellent, hilarious, touching animation. Can't beat it.
READING: More of SLOW GODS by Claire North (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon) and, wow, its scope is incredible. Loving it on several levels.
LINK: Make sure you grab your tickets for Callum McSorley's Edinburgh event, which is next Friday at Waterstones - West End!
I'm really looking forward to quizzing this award-winning crime writer about his process, his inspirations and the manic energy of his third book, RAT RACE (Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon)
UP NEXT: One more event this week, then two more podcast recordings. And tomorrow I'll need to make some serious headway on the edit. Thankfully it's a Writing Friday, so I think I'll be able to do that.
Onward!