Off Topic Hull's number one book ...

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tigermaul

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2011
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Live Twickenham, born and raised in Cottingham
... at Hull Waterstones at least is my latest, Death In Blitz City, set in 1942 Hull. It's a crime thriller, but nothing to do my Stasi series. It does, however, mention Hull City AFC (very) tangentially, but there are also lots of local references to the city during the war, with several scenes in Cottingham and Beverley too.

Anyway, the booksellers in Waterstones say it's been their number one bestseller since it came out in July, and is on course to be their biggest seller of the year (many thanks to those on here who helped to promote it!), and may even be their biggest seller of all time (which I find very hard to believe). Lots of signed copies available there as they asked me to come in on Friday and sign a pile of 60, which is the most I've signed of any novel to date. Another 40 went at the East Riding Festival of Words on Saturday (a sell-out).

So if you need some escapism from the depressing story that is Hull City of recent weeks, it might be an option!

Sadly I'm now out of contract so this could be my last novel. But the ride has been fun.

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Steven Toast said:
Any tips for a budding author?
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Go on a course, preferably an in-person one so that you meet agents, and get feedback from published authors and your fellow students. But if not try an online one first, although they tend to have less access to agents. Curtis Brown (literary agents) and Faber (publishers) both run courses (and have had a lot of successful students) but I think all the in-person ones are in London -- they do have online ones though. I did a Creative Writing crime fiction MA but it was a very practical one (you had to write the complete novel to graduate), and the trend seems to have been for them to become more academic again, so you end up spending lots of money on something that may not be entirely relevant. The other tip is don't expect to make any money from it -- if you do, it's a bonus.
 
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tigermaul said:
Go on a course, preferably an in-person one so that you meet agents, and get feedback from published authors and your fellow students. But if not try an online one first, although they tend to have less access to agents. Curtis Brown (literary agents) and Faber (publishers) both run courses (and have had a lot of successful students) but I think all the in-person ones are in London -- they do have online ones though. I did a Creative Writing crime fiction MA but it was a very practical one (you had to write the complete novel to graduate), and the trend seems to have been for them to become more academic again, so you end up spending lots of money on something that may not be entirely relevant. The other tip is don't expect to make any money from it -- if you do, it's a bonus.
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Well I've tipped a few pennies in your account and bought this latest tome of yours.

If it's only half as good as your others, it'll be money well spent. <cheers>
 
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My daughter's other arf took it on holiday with him - he really enjoyed it (and he prob only reads 2 books a year). Loved the local references, and he found out a few Hull Blitz facts as well (e.g. Prudential which he knew nowt about).
So well done, I think he may delve into your earlier works which I can then borrow off him :emoticon-0137-clapp
 
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Sumatran_Tiger said:
Xxxxxx, thanks for your Audible purchase.
We hope you’ve found the perfect next listen.
Order Details
Order Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1. David Young - Death in Blitz City
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Many thanks! I haven't listened to the audio yet, other than a test sample where Weighton was pronounced as though weighing a ton rather than wee-ton. Hopefully they've corrected it.
 
tigermaul said:
Many thanks! I haven't listened to the audio yet, other than a test sample where Weighton was pronounced as though weighing a ton rather than wee-ton. Hopefully they've corrected it.
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You're welcome
I listened to a bit of a sample, not a Hull accent but better than an American one!
 
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For anyone interested who hasn’t yet read/bought it, the e-book of my Hull-set WW2 crime thriller Death In Blitz City has been reduced to just 99p for a limited period, definitely on Amazon Kindle, but possibly on other e-book outlets/formats as they usually price-match. This is the first time it’s been in a 99p deal. I think you can gift to friends at this price too if you want. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B099KSJT1C/?tag=not606-21
 
Steven Toast said:
Any tips for a budding author?
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Don't contact Literary Agents....Waste of time and effort. Unless, you personally know one or have friends in high places. You can publish your own stuff on Amazon Kindle, cuts out the middle man..... ie that's the way one goes...eg Neal Hardin books...Good luck.
 
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Steven Toast said:
Any tips for a budding author?
Click to expand...
I've wrote a couple of City books and sought a local publisher. Don't want to devalue tigermaul's achievement either because to even get his book on the weekly best selling list in Waterstones is a huge achievment. My first book, 'From Boothferry to Wembley' was also the best selling book in Watersones at the time, I actually sold 3,000, which was the full print and probably should have done a re-print. I was told I beat Terry Pratchet ? one week in sales, whoever he is? I don't even know who he played for.
Reaching the top of Waterstones best selling list upset one local author because he launched a personal crusade to stain my follow up book by claiming it was 'racist'. it was nothing of the sort, but as we all know, throw enough mud, and eventually some of it sticks. Apparently a book he had written was also said to be the 'Hull's number one' and he took it personally. Long time ago, water under the bridge, but it did cost me finacially. I'd actually bought his book which was not about City.
Advice? Don't expect to make a penny. Use a good proof reader, mine was Stevie Wonder, write for enjoyment not profit, if fact based, check them. I wrote entirely from memory and it does play tricks on you so of course Mister expert is bound to tap you on the shoulder in the pub and tell you so. Be prepared for that.
Enjoy the experience. I did and good luck. Congratulations to tigermaul too.
 
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Urika Peece. said:
but it did cost me finacially. Advice? Don't expect to make a penny. Use a good proof reader, mine was Stevie Wonder, write for enjoyment not profit, Congratulations to tigermaul too.
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ST....That is sound guidance/advice from UP...Don't expect to make loads of dough, unless you get very very lucky...and build up some insider contacts.
I've had one book published by a small publisher based in York.....Took about 18 months from my enquiry to actual launch date. I'm still waiting for the royalty cheque!!!! i won't hold my breath!!! The rest ie 14 books, I've self published, through KDP.. ie Kindle publishing, over the past 5 years. Pen name Neal Hardin. You ought to see my bank statement : 36p, 40p here and there. Maybe a £1.50. Though there is a share of the Kindle fund..As UP says....Do it because you enjoy doing it...not thinking the royalties will roll in.
 
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The B&S Fanclub said:
ST....That is sound guidance/advice from UP...Don't expect to make loads of dough, unless you get very very lucky...and build up some insider contacts.
I've had one book published by a small publisher based in York.....Took about 18 months from my enquiry to actual launch date. I'm still waiting for the royalty cheque!!!! i won't hold my breath!!! The rest ie 14 books, I've self published, through KDP.. ie Kindle publishing, over the past 5 years. Pen name Neal Hardin. You ought to see my bank statement : 36p, 40p here and there. Maybe a £1.50. Though there is a share of the Kindle fund..As UP says....Do it because you enjoy doing it...not thinking the royalties will roll in.
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I am also a frustrated author. Hundreds (literally) of rejections from publishers/agents, usually signed by ‘Abbie’ or ‘Lucy’. Clearly not even been read. Resorted to self-publishing my five novels on Kindle but without any joy.

Maybe I’m a lousy writer!!

On the subject of local interest, although four of my books have been in the ‘frothy, light-hearted’ P.G. Wodehouse-style, one is serious being the story of my Grandfather and his life and demise during World War One. Based on his actual record, family history etc with plenty of local history, if anyone interested.

The title is ‘Beguiling of Innocents’ by R.P. Kitching
 
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The B&S Fanclub said:
Don't contact Literary Agents....Waste of time and effort. Unless, you personally know one or have friends in high places. You can publish your own stuff on Amazon Kindle, cuts out the middle man..... ie that's the way one goes...eg Neal Hardin books...Good luck.
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I don’t agree with this. If you want to be traditionally published, get in bookstores nationwide, and make a career of it (very difficult) then it is worth approaching agents - indeed it’s virtually the only way. But first make sure the product you have is saleable to publishers and the best it can be. In most cases these days I’d say you need to go on a course first, preferably one that introduces you to agents. My wife has just secured representation with a top literary agent without friends in high places. But she did do an MA in Creative Writing, and then rewrote the novel about four times. I was perhaps luckier when I got my agent in that I won the course prize on my MA (for my debut Stasi Child) which included representation, but that then led to getting seven novels published and one six figure deal within that. So it is possible to do.
 
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Kitto said:
I am also a frustrated author. Hundreds (literally) of rejections from publishers/agents, usually signed by ‘Abbie’ or ‘Lucy’. Clearly not even been read. Resorted to self-publishing my five novels on Kindle but without any joy.

The title is ‘Beguiling of Innocents’ by R.P. Kitching
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I could paper my walls with the 'thanks, but no thanks' replies from Publishers....The worst thing is that most of the Literary agents (95% of them snotty tossers from London) haven't got the common decency to let you know. I've tried in the US, they are not much better than here..Maybe I'm crap.
 
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