A MATTER OF EXTREMES...
It is now a week since I returned from the US. Two weeks through New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Indianapolis...and before that a couple of weeks in France. I have gone from one extreme to the other. Utter confusion, rushing from one place to another, one event after the other, dozens and dozens of people to see and talk to, and now I am home...
All is quiet.
The only sound of significance seems to be me thrashing a Telecaster!
It seems to mimic the many years I spent writing and writing, and then suddenly - unexpectedly - I am dashing all over the place talking about what I've written and meeting about three hundred people a day!
I have returned to 'Bad Signs' and am working on that again. I hope to have it complete by the end of November at the latest. I am also awaiting word back from France on the screenplay for A Quiet Belief In Angels. There will be work to do, I am sure.
Last night was excellent, by the way. Due to the fact that I was away for much of October, and October is the month of the Birmingham Book Festival, the organisers - primarily Jonathan Davidson and Sara Beadle - set up a launch event for The Anniversary Man at the Birmingham Library Theatre. I did a reading, and was then interviewed by the wonderful Amanda Smyth, author of 'Black Rock'. She gave me a copy of her book and I have started reading it. Most excellent. Anyway, we had a very good turn out, and I have received many e-mails from those who attended to say they enjoyed the event.
I also received an e-mail from my US publisher. He was away while I was in the US and thus we did not see one another, but he e-mailed me to say that things are going well over there, we are making friends and allies, and that we have a lot of hard work ahead of us! Music to my ears!
So I am back in the UK now. Wales Crime Week will see me in Tylorstown and Pontypridd on the 9th of November, and then I am in Milton Keynes on the 12th, at the University of Leicester on the 14th, and then I have an event in Netherton, another at the Screenwriters' Forum, a guest appearance at the Society of Young Publishers and Lord knows what else. All over the place as usual.
Still I know we have a long way to go. Still I know that we have a very small foot in a very big door. Teeth gritted, fists clenched, never slowing or stopping or considering that we have earned a rest...there's another book to write, another event to organise, another person to speak to who might give my work a go if I am able to sufficiently enthuse them. This is the way it is. Perhaps the way it will always be.
A thoughtful mood perhaps, but thankful as well - to everyone who has bought and read the books, and has recommended them to their friends. It is for you that I write the next one, and the next one, and the one after that.
So all that you do is appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you very soon at some event, or perhaps on the train or in the street as has been happening recently!
Best wishes, as always,
Roger.
12 comments:
Hi Roger
I was at your event on Wednesday evening along with some of the members of our book group and several other friends too. I'd first heard you speaking to the Bookcrossers at Hudsons last month, and enjoyed this one just as much.
I didn't manage to pluck up courage to ask you a question at the time, so I've included that in my latest post, in which I write about that event,and A Quiet Belief in Angels - Take a look if you get a moment.http://www.christinecoleman.net/serial-killers-great-raconteur/
I saw it! Tremendous post. Thank you so, so much Christine. You are too kind! So was there some question you wanted to ask and didn't? Ask away, or e-mail me at roger@rjellory.com.
Yes, the question was in the middle of the post on my website,but it looks more like a statement than a question!(I don't know how to insert a direct link from here to my site, so I've pasted the relevant bit here:
"I would have liked to ask R.J. if he was familiar with David Wilson’s opinions on these and related topics, and if so, what were his views about these, and had they ever met each other? I’d imagine that they would have a lot in common."
Although, as I said, I admire 'A Quiet Belief...' I have some sympathy for David Wilson's view about the public's fascination with serial killers and I wondered what you think about that.
No, not familiar with David Wilson's work, but from what you say we would probably have a great deal to agree upon. What should I read of his?
hi Roger,
You say you're doing an event at Netherton which is about five minutes away from me. But I can't see any note of it on your calendar. Can you tell me when this is going to be?
Cheers
Martin
Hi again, Roger
I don't actually know much about David Wilson - I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to picking up odd bits of info - I listen to radio 4 a lot when I'm driving around between various work venues, and this was on Mid-week a couple of weeks ago - You might like to find the relevant part of that programme and listen to what he says about himself. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n8b3d
This is what you'll see about him on that site - he seems to be a 'local' so you could probably meet up for a drink and see if you do get on with each other. I'd guess you'd have a lot to discuss (and probably argue about!)
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University and director of the University's Centre for Criminal Justice Policy. He is widely recognised as the UK's leading expert on British serial murders. His work as a criminologist and profiler, and previously as a prison governor, brought him into close contact with several infamous serial killers. In his book A History of British Serial Killing, published by Sphere, he investigates some of these crimes.
Do you know, I have heard of him, and I think I even have one of his books. Thanks for the link. I shall begin stalking him now...
Martin - we spoke about this event by e-mail, and I'll get the calendar updated.
Hello,
Like to say thanks for writing The Anniversary Man, can't put it down.
Never heard of you & bought this by mistake. Made quite a few over the years but none that have given this much pleasure. Tell a lie there was one way back but we won't go their again. Please keep writing.
James...
That makes me laugh! 'Oh no, there was one mistake I made that was as pleasurable, but we won't go there again!' Brilliant!
Anyway, I would love to know what you think of the book when you're done, and if you feel like continuing to make similar mistakes when buying books, then I'll be more than happy. And you can e-mail me on roger@rjellory.com as well if you have any questions...or if you do feel like telling me what the 'pleasurable mistake' was!
Hello Roger,
congratulations for having finished Bad Signs! I'm looking forward to reading it!
What are your future plans!
Best wishes
Vincent
Vincent...Good to hear from you! Well, with 'Bad Signs' done I am now contractually unemployed until 2012! No, seriously, I will start another book after Christmas. I have some other projects on the go now, and I am waiting for word back on what needs to be done with the film script. I am hoping that something will progress on that before the New Year.
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