Monday 3 January 2011

What a year I've had!

It's January 2011 and time to review 2010. And what a year it's been!
Looking back, I can't believe how much has happened. No wonder I'm feeling tired!
Cut Short sold out for the fourth time (or was it the fifth?) and was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger, which was a real thrill. I went to Harrogate to hear the announcement and met two charmers, Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham.
Cut Short is being reprinted again, this time in B format, with a new cover which was decided on in 2010, to match the cover chosen for Dead End. When Road Closed is reprinted again, it will have a matching cover, so 2010 was the year my books were "branded" (!)
I was lucky enough to have lots of online interviews and the reviews for both books continued to be amazingly positive!
I finished Dead End in 2010 and the MS for my next book, now with my agent.
2010 saw two bestsellers, two more books written, two new covers and an award nomination. In addition, I was very happy to receive lots of invitations to appear at literary festivals, talk to writers groups and judge competitions, visit bookshops and libraries, and talk to colleges and book clubs.
2011 will doubtless be as busy but I don't see how it can be as exciting!

11 comments:

Rose said...

Wishing you a happy, prosperous, peaceful new year Leigh! And please write some more crime fiction, i love it and became hooked on it since reading "Cut Short"! :)

Rose xx

Leigh Russell said...

Hope you enjoyed Road Closed, Rose. Dead End is out in May! Wish you a very very happy new year and thank you so much for commenting here.

Vidya Sury said...

2011 will be even better. Because your fans now have higher expectations (Am I thinking about a Maslow's Theory-esque example or what?) The more we get the more we want.

Great to "know" a real live Crime fiction FAMOUS author :-) And yes, you are in India, too :-D

Happy 2011!

Rose said...

To be honest, i hadnt read it yet, but i bought it last night and have started it. Really like this one too, specially the chapter about Dubrovnik, as it reminded me off the first time i went away with someone special on a trip around Easter Europe, which also included Dubrovnik :) Great work!! :)

Pat said...

I look forward to 'Dead End'.

Leigh Russell said...

Thank you for your support, Vidya, and I hope you have a very happy 2011. Keep in touch!

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks, Rose, I hope you enjoy Road Closed. Let me know what you think, and Happy New Year!

Leigh Russell said...

Thank you very much, Pat. Happy New Year to you!

Rose said...

finished it, and enjoyed it very much :) i like the fact that in the end, you find out your intuition about whodunnit is always right :) great twist!
Ive recently updated the blog entitled Scarlet skydiver, which im using, i no longer use any of the others. Ive updated it with more posts and added a glittery background, i remember you said you like glitter :) Feel free to have a look when you have time :)

Rose said...

i also love how everybody made up with their partners at the end, but i feel very sorry for Geraldine, who never seems to have luck in relationships. She deserves to find love sometime :)

Leigh Russell said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Rose. As for Geraldine finding love - just read Dead End which is out in May and see what you think!