Ahhhh... Spring!

Wow, am I ready for Spring or what!

For us here in New Zealand, it feels like it's been raining forever and yet still I know where I am. We have got off very lightly compared to other parts of the country who've experienced life changing weather over the course of late 2022 and all of 2023. Let's hope a new season is the forerunner of a great rest of the year and a long period of more settled weather.

It's a good time to remind myself that having Stripe as my online payment partner means a proportion of every sale goes towards the battle against global warming and initiatives to combat climate change.

If nothing else, buying a book is helping the planet in a small way!

PROUD STRIPE CLIMATE PARTNER

This year Spring means only one thing... 'Man. Made.' I can't begin to explain how excited I am for this book! The cover design has been decided upon and everything from the back cover blurb to a very special acknowledgment are ready to go too. I think it's just going to be a matter of weeks now before I can tell you the proposed publication day and also sort the details out for pre-publication orders.

Spoiler alert - there's a little giveaway planned that has been a big part of the lead up.

'Man. Made.' is different to the previous Dan Calder books in many ways, while retaining the essence of his particular style of crime story. The location is unexpected and very interesting. I can't remember a book where the location or setting is as much a character as any of the people. I think you're going to find lots to love and also lots to learn about dear old Dan in 'Man. Made.' 

I have a confession...

Ok so Spring might not be only about 'Man. Made.' after all.

A few months ago I started writing another book, which I previously mentioned in the last newsletter. Recently, I visited a suburb of Auckland called Glendowie, where that book is going to be set. As I got such a great response from utilising a local Facebook group in West Bridgford, Nottingham for 'Man. Made.' I thought I'd do the same for this new venture. 

Upon entering the 'We Love Glendowie' Facebook Page Group, they have welcomed me into their community with incredible enthusiasm and I've already been able to gather lots of interesting nuggets, which I can use in one way or another to bring that new book to life. As an example, Glendowie's history includes a signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Maori and the British in 1840. The steep and winding footpath down to Karaka Bay where the Treaty was signed is crying out to be written, so, maybe you'll be reading that in another year or so!

Originality for the win

I read recently about an international rail terminus being shut down due to a threat of a terrorist attack. It reminded me of an incident/investigation I was a part of in the NZ Police back in 2004, that involved a hoax reporting of such a serious nature, a large commercial and business area was closed down for some time.

My last book 'Bonded' dealt with a carefully staged hoax closing down Auckland Airport in a similar way. It got me thinking about the whole life imitating art thing or whether there are actually any original ideas left.

I was finally convinced originality will always remain because of another old Police adage... Just when you think you've seen and heard it all, somebody will do something you've never seen or heard before! Long may that be the case with Dan Calder too.

See you next time.

Follow me on Social Media