Visiting Bristol

I've just come back from a fabulous weekend in Bristol, packed with friends and events. Before catching the train from London to Bristol I found Dead End at number 70 on the WH Smith's chart at Paddington station. On the left I'm signing a copy of Dead End in one of the stores at Paddington, and on the right is a photo with a customer for whom I signed a copy in the other branch of WH Smith's at the station.

Meeting Ruth Dudley Edwards, Ailene Templeton and Linda Regan before our panel (left). Pauline Rowson hadn't arrived yet but we're all there at the event (right and below).

After the panel I went for a live interview on BBC Radio Bristol with Graham Torrington.

After my interview, we took a short detour to take a look at the amazing Clifton suspension bridge before returning to CrimeFest to catch a panel with Chris Carter, Tim Weaver, Howard Linskey and NJ Cooper talking about the thrills of crime writing.
By then it was time for the CWA reception where some of the 2011 Dagger shortlists were announced, we met up up with writing friends old and new, and shared a glass or two, courtesy of the CWA.

I spent Saturday at Waterstones Bristol Galleries where the staff were friendly and helpful, as always in Waterstones. I met lots of local readers who bought 65 copies of my books. Dead End sold really well, as expected, with its great cover.
Then it was back to CrimeFest to get changed for the Mulholland Reception (and more wine).
On the left you can see a few happy faces (photo courtesy of the unflagging Ali Karim) Matt Hilton, Ali's beautiful daughter Sophia, and a little person who forgot to pack any heels at the Mulholland Reception. Then it was on to the Gala Dinner where we heard Christopher Brookmyre, Lindsey Davies, Deon Meyer and Peter James. At least I'd remembered to pack my best frock to announce the winners of the Mystery Woman short story competition for 2011.
Returning home after such an exciting weekend, the programme for Harrogate Festival had arrived in the post. It was a thrill to see my name in it!

Hooked on Writing

Matt Lynn asks, on the Curzon blog, whether writing is an intrinsically depressing profession.
Depression is an ambiguous word. In our own ways, most of us feel depressed at times. This can be caused by external circumstances, not the same as clinical depression. Like any other illness, that strikes for no reason.
Creative problems can trigger feelings of depression. Is this an external trigger?
I arrived home yesterday after driving in conditions horrendous by anyone's standards. My car wasn't a wreck. I was. Dinner, favourite TV comedy, a nip of whisky, all failed to restore my equanimity.
Ten minutes on my keyboard, another chapter done, and I had returned to my normal, faintly warped, state of mind.
For me, writing isn't depressing. Not writing is.

amazon.co.uk still have some copies of CUT SHORT
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Short-DI-Geraldine-Steel/dp/1842432710
Mystery Women short story competition open to all
http://www.mysterywomen.co.uk/

Sales of Cut Short go intergalactic

My last post was rather sad so I thought I'd be more cheerful today and share some exciting news with you - sales of CUT SHORT have gone intergalactic! If you don't believe me, here's the photographic proof:
A dalek buying Cut Short from Leigh Russell and paying cash!
And here comes a jedi. He also bought Cut Short . . .

Spiderman wanted to buy a copy but he has no pockets so didn't have any money.

This pirate, on the other hand, had plenty of loot - and a parrot!

It was lovely to meet fellow members of the authors' group Mystery Women. I'm looking forward to signing with you all again.

Back on planet earth . . . I'm signing at

Waterstones HARROW Saturday,

Waterstones ST ALBANS Sunday.

Please come along and say hello if you're in the area!

Publisher's website: http://www.noexit.co.uk/titles.php/itemcode/488

Amazon.co.uk (also on amazon.com)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Short-DI-Geraldine-Steel/dp/1842432710

youtube - Leigh Russell reading from Cut Short

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW3Ixmq3OyA