DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY CALL

Here in the UK, the Crime Writers' Association has just opened nominations for this year's Dagger in the Library Award.

Sponsored by Random House, the £1,500 award recognises an author's body of work. Recent winners have included Stuart McBride, Craig Russell and Alexander McCall Smith. (oh, and me!) This year, the panel of judges will be chaired by Mark Benjamin, Team Librarian at Hexham Library.

Libraries have until 11th April to make up to three nominations for each of their reading groups. Libraries that nominate shortlisted authors will be entered into a draw for tickets to the glittering awards dinner in London, and for a £300 prize. Entry forms can be downloaded at the CWA website:

http://www.thecwa.co.uk/

THE REAPER IS COMING...

Congratulations go to Derbyshire crime writer Steven Dunne, who is one of the latest signings for HarperCollins imprint Avon.

Steven is a fine example for other aspiring authors who dream of getting that big publishing contract. After a number of rejections, he decided to go it alone and self-publish his first novel 'Reaper', a detective thriller set in Derby, featuring Detective Inspector Damen Brook in a hunt for a long-dormant serial killer. The book ended up being stocked and championed at Steven's local Waterstone’s.

He then placed his book on HarperCollins' new writers' networking site authonomy.com in the hope of reaching a wider audience. And 'Reaper' was spotted by a HarperCollins editor, who has signed Steven up for at least one more book. 'Reaper' will be hitting shops across the UK this summer.

I read the book a couple of months ago, and it's great stuff! I even think the cover of the self-published version is pretty cool too (and that's not something you can always say). I'm looking forward to seeing what HarperCollins do with it.

A graduate of Kent University, Steven Dunne works as a supply teacher in Derby. He uses a number of recognisable locations in the city for his book.

I think you'll be hearing more of him after this summer.

You can visit his website here:

http://www.the-reaper.com/

HITCH UP THE TRAILER

Well, it's the latest thing for all of us modern, thrusting, 21st century authors. It's the thing you've just got to have, if you want to get noticed by the YouTube generation. Yes, folks, it's the book trailer.

Okay, so my movie making skills are, let's say... limited. But with the help of a bit of clever software courtesy of Bill Gates (thanks, Bill), I've had my first stab at a trailer. Nice pictures of the Peak District. Good soundtrack. And a big plug for the books. Do I get my Oscar now?

Flushed from my success in the director's chair, I'll be busy planning my storyboard for a new trailer to publicise THE KILL CALL in April. Meanwhile, let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ssD8g65LK8

OFF TO THE LIBRARY

You'll hear a lot about libraries on this blog. They're a cause close to my heart, and many of them around the UK are now under threat (and that's even before the financial crisis and all those local authorities mislaying millions of pounds of our Council Tax money down a geyser in Iceland).

So I'm chuffed to say that my very first reader event of 2009 will take place this week in a brand new library, just opened by Leicestershire County Council in the Leicester district of Oadby. Here's a picture of their smart new facilities:












And here's one of the outside. Looks a bit like Marks & Spencers, but we'll forgive them:












So, at 7pm on Thursday 5th February, I'll be 'in conversation' with John Martin at Oadby Library, as part of a week-long series of events for readers. If you fancy being there, phone 0116 305 8763 to book a place.

The official opening will be performed by Barbara Follett, who has the wonderful title of 'Minister for Culture, Creative Industries & Tourism'. But she's in Oadby on Wednesday, so I'm afraid I'll miss her (and I do so like meeting politicians).

Click here to see the new Oadby Library for yourself

SIZZLE & CRUNCH

Well, here's something new to brighten up your year (we certainly needed something didn't we?). Yes, it's the brand spanking, all-singing, all dancing, almost sinfully fascinating Stephen Booth Blog.

In the midst of all the credit crunch crises and rumours of rampant recession, this is the place where I'll be bringing you little glimmers of light. There'll be snippets of news picked up on my wanderings through the weird world of UK crime fiction, tantalising glimpses into the alarmingly labyrinthine life of a writer, and lots of other sizzlingly esoteric smatterings to keep you sitting up and paying attention.

Some of it, though, will be written in quite short sentences.

And there might never be any more alliteration, ever...

...but I might occasionally mention goats.

It could be quite a journey!