Dear Reader,
The cashier said, ‘You know these are three copies of the same newspaper?’
‘Yes,’ I said, smiling awkwardly. ‘You see, I’m in it, so I wanted more than one copy.’
The cashier and her nearby colleague both laughed like this was a highly improbable joke, and went back to discussing the rota.
But reader, I am in it. Today, an extract from Double or Nothing is in The Times Saturday Review alongside an interview with me in a double spread that is the lead story after the Game of Thrones prequel (can’t argue with that). I’ve seen myself in the papers before but never something like this. You’ll be able to tell from the video on Twitter that I totally failed to play it cool, and am, in fact, VERY EXCITED. The extract is a chapter that introduces 004, Joseph Dryden, as he is briefed by Moneypenny, who is now head of the Double O section (surely no one has ever been more overdue a promotion..). I’m so accustomed to seeing this chapter as a Word document, it’s incredibly surreal to read it in newsprint, and in fact I’m not going to read it at all, because I’ll just want to get out a pen and move the commas around. Editing never ends in an author’s mind. The interview was a really enjoyable experience, and I’m grateful to Dominic Maxwell for his thoughtful questions and this lovely write-up. (I have to say, I do like the sound of ‘classic with a twist’…) It feels amazing to begin to send Double or Nothing out into the world. Just ten days left until publication…
This week, I’ve been writing the second novel in the Double O trilogy, alongside – slightly more prosaically – marking dissertations and – excitingly – preparing for a couple of events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. I’ll be interviewing Joanne Harris and Margie Orford about writing female characters who challenge the patriarchy. I HIGHLY recommend Harris’ The Narrow Door and Orford’s The Eye of the Beholder, and can’t wait to chat with them about these gripping stories. I’ve also read Anthony Horowitz’s latest Bond novel, With A Mind To Kill, which I hadn’t read until now because it’s a challenge to write something yourself while reading your childhood hero’s own version!
But, of course, as soon as I read the first line I was swept away. I love Anthony’s prose style and structure, and how he uses details of the era, and I can’t wait to quiz him about all these things. If you’re in Edinburgh this Monday 22nd, come and see both events! And if you’re not in town, you can watch via live stream.
The festival is selling early copies of Double or Nothing and I’ll be signing after both events, too, so maybe see you in the Waterstones tent. A lovely former student now working as a bookseller kindly sent me this pic from the tent – though I realise it’s only the fortunes of a surname, I’m still very happy to be sharing space with Ali Smith!
All of your answers to the proof competition we ran last week were so good, we’ve decided to do it again! Head over to my Twitter and Instagram to let me know your favourite Fleming moment for a chance of winning a proof. And if you’re a founding member of girl with the golden pen, I’m sending a signed proof to you this weekend, no prize necessary! Here it is in all its shiny glory…
Alongside signed proofs, founding members also receive personalised, signed copies of my novels, if you buy them through Lighthouse Bookshop at Bookshop.org.
I’m keen to support independent bookshops, so I thought for this weekend only I’d extend this offer to anyone who pre-orders Double or Nothing or A Wild & True Relation from Lighthouse before August 21st – just two days, so get yours now if you’d like a personalised, signed copy sent to your door! Just mention the newsletter and who you’d like the book signed to in the checkout notes.
Well, that’s been a very exciting start to a weekend! Now, back to writing…
From Kim, With Love x