Spring is in the air!

While we had quite a bit of rain and a couple of cold mornings over the last few weeks, it's definitely warming up now though and some tell-tale signs are all around.

'Man. Made.' has gone from being my working title for the next Calder book to my preferred choice of finished title. There's a little play on words there but the two, one word sentences, sums up the book perfectly and so I think we can call off the search for the title now. Obviously I reserve the right to change my mind without any notice!

Recent work has intensified and I'm really enjoying the process of getting all the chapters together. I'm not giving anything away at the moment but I've been able to write this book without much thought given to the chapter order until now. All will become clearer in time...

Stripe Climate Partner

You may have noticed my website is partnered with Stripe who manage the payment side of things. Stripe offer a Climate partnership program to their clients to reduce the effects of climate change.

I am proud to be a Stripe Climate Partner, meaning a percentage of every sale goes towards removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. I'm all in favour of doing as much as I can to confront the global warming battle the world is currently waging, and hopefully leave the world in no worse condition than it was when I was young.

Every little bit helps and I do believe the small things we individuals do are just as valuable as the big things governments and huge corporations do. This is one world war where we should all be on the same side

The sixth sense is real

There's certainly a lot of truth in the suggestion of Police Officer's having a sixth sense and it being an invaluable weapon in our arsenal. 

I can remember several times in my career when using my instincts helped me. One incident I recall was a night-time smash and grab burglary that had just happened in the centre of Southampton, UK that led to a number of Police units descending on the scene.

The offender was seen to run away and I thought if it had been me, which way would I go to try and escape and avoid capture? I set off in the completely opposite direction to where most of my colleagues were going and hid myself behind a gateway exit between a park and a residential area. Listening to my radio I'd switched to low volume, I knew the offender was still at large. I waited for a couple more minutes before I heard and saw a panting figure running towards me.

He was as surprised as I was happy to jump out and make the arrest!

Lastly... the BIG news

Leaving the best 'til last, I have a big announcement! I'm absolutely delighted to have secured the services of Richard Arcus as my new editor.

Richard's based in London and his CV is fantastic. Having worked for some of the best publishers in the business, before striking out as a freelance editor, his catalogue of clients includes authors who've either won or been listed for literary prizes such as the Booker Prize and Crime Writers Association Daggers. Other clients' books have been best sellers and sold a million plus copies.

I know 'Man. Made.' is going to be in exceptionally good hands and can't wait to get to work with him.

Take a look at my recent social media post about the process of writing and how many people it takes to get an idea to the final printed page. It's a real team effort.

Until next time. Best Wishes.
Ian.

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