It's seven in the morning at Crimefest in Bristol, one of the
biggest gatherings of crime writers in the UK. Yesterday I
appeared in conversation with one of my literary heroes, the
formidable forensic crime writer and author of the David Hunter
series, Simon Beckett.
Simon, although he regularly appears in the Top Ten here, is
better known in Germany where, on his last visit, he was actually
mobbed by fans. How cool is that?
I did "a turn" with Simon a couple of years ago in Leicester. I
was still pretty new to it all then, and very nervous. "Stay calm,"
I told myself. "Everyone will be there to see Simon, he'll do 90
per cent of the talking and all you need to do is look interested
and ask a few semi-intelligent questions."
Five minutes before we were due to start, I get a phone call.
Simon's car has broken down on the motorway and he's stuck in rush
hour traffic.
I had to face the sizeable crowd alone, knowing everyone there
was thinking, "Who the devil is she?" I, meantime, am thinking:
"He's the best selling British author in Germany, you'd think he
could afford a car that works!"
In the event, it was fine: I talked briefly about my new book
(Awakening), did a short reading and then saw him slink
guiltily down the stairs. I soon learned that when two authors
genuinely like each other's work, they will always find plenty to
talk about, no matter how many people are listening.
Yesterday, he arrived before I did, looking very dapper in spotty
shirt and pale blue jacket (him, not me, I wore a dress). We were
interviewed by the young, bright and
far-too-handsome-for-his-own-good, Jake Kerridge of the Daily
Telegraph. Jake had prepared rigorously for the interview and all
flowed well. Photograph thanks to Ayo Onatade of Shotsblog.
Later, in a panel called Without Reservations, No Holds
Barred, I was hoping for some strong and juicy stuff. Not a
bit of it. The five men on the panel all came came across as very
gentle and gentlemanly. Won't touch rape, child abuse, torture,
sadism. Won't write a sex scene. Dislike gratuitous violence.
Bloody Nora, guys! We're supposed to be crime writers.
Guess it's down to us girls then!
By the way, the shortlists for various dagger awards were
announced last night, and I am one of six in line for the Dagger in
the Library. This award is for a body of work, and is judged by
librarians and reading groups. The competition is pretty stiff: RJ
Ellory, Mo Hayder, Philip Kerr, Susan Hill and Jason Goodwin. But
here's hoping!