Dear Reader,
Thanks so much to everyone who joined me and Charles Cumming last night at Toppings, Edinburgh for a fascinating chat (if I do say so myself) about KENNEDY 35, the third book in Charles’ brilliant BOX 88 series. I’m a fan of Charles’ writing and it was great fun to ask him about finding fresh ground in the spy genre, getting the tap on the shoulder from MI6 after graduation, and his research process.
We also talked about John le Carré’s influence, the grandfather of all spy writers in many ways. I was first introduced to John le Carré’s work as a teenager when my great uncle gave me a box of secondhand books he thought I’d enjoy. I ate it all up, and then drained Black Gull Bookshop in Camden of all further le Carré. The box also introduced me to Elmore Leonard, leading to more hunts for his fast-talking down and outs. Two such different writers but in the same genre.
Crime writing is a broad church (see what I did there, David Tennant fans?) and readers will gravitate to different sub-genres. Whilst I’m not a big fan of anything too grizzly or creepy, my crime reading does span widely. There’s spy fiction, where John le Carré, Peter O’Donnell and Ian Fleming have had most influence on my writing. Then there’s action thrillers: Lee Child is a favourite. And whatever it is Elmore Leonard is writing – criminal capers?? He taught me dialogue. Then there’s the hardboiled school of detective fiction, where Raymond Chandler is the once and future king. Of course there are so many writers I could list, but these names are among my greatest inspirations or comforts, and so many of them go back to my teenage years or early twenties, that fundamentally informative time.
One of my joys now is to chat with other writers and to share my influences and creative process with readers. This Thursday 16th November, I’ll be at Bath Spa University Library, where I’m giving a workshop on creative research, and a talk about writing the Double O series and A WILD & TRUE RELATION. Both are open to the public and you can book in-person or online tickets. I’d love to see you there.
Next week, I’m appearing at Hay in Winter, in Hay-on-Wye, Wales. On Saturday 25th November, I’m interviewing Louis de Bernières about his new novel LIGHT OVER LISKEARD. Hugely excited, moi?
Then I’ll be talking about writing spy fiction alongside Ava Glass, author of THE TRAITOR. I’m chuffed to say the event is sold out, but if you’re at Hay do swing by and see if there’s space to squeeze in, or stop into the signing tent for a hello.
On Sunday 26th November, I’m delivering a workshop in Hay Castle on writing crime fiction 10.30-4pm. If you’re interested in writing anything under the crime umbrella, please join me for what should be a fun day!
Hope to see you there!
From Kim, With Love x
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