As well as giving you my news, I’m thrilled to be interviewing bestselling author, Peter James. So open a bottle or brew a cuppa, settle into a comfortable chair, and read on…
Getting to know Peter James
Peter James needs no introduction as the creator of Roy Grace. But what is he really like?
I started by asking Peter what he would like to have done if he hadn’t been a writer. It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about Peter to learn that he would like to have been a racing driver.
Which of your many achievements are you most proud of?
The first time I got to number one on the Sunday Times Bestseller list was a highlight. Winning the CWA Diamond Dagger was another one, as was winning the Sussex Police Award for outstanding public service when I worked on a project to help make youngsters aware of date rape.
You do a lot of travelling associated with your writing, and work tirelessly to support the crime writing community. When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I love animals, and we have a menagerie at home which includes three dogs, five alpacas, and three emus. I love spending time with my animals. I find them incredibly therapeutic against the really dark stuff I sometimes write. I remember waking to that horrific news about the Manchester bombing, for instance, and just going out and mingling with the animals, and stroking and feeding them is an immensely normalising experience.
By any objective standards you are a phenomenal success as an author, which must have significantly affected your lifestyle. Has this experience changed you as a person?
My dream as a child was to become an author. I didn’t have much confidence when I was young and never thought I would be a success. When I was starting out, I was helped by many established authors, like James Herbert. So now I really try to help other writers who are on their way up the best way I can.
Which of your many exploits would you say was the most dangerous?
Cycling! My wife and I are keen cyclists, but I feel far safer driving in a racing car at 130mph than cycling at 5mph on a London street.
To find out more about Peter James and his books visit peterjames.com or his amazon page. You can also follow him on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And if you’re as intrigued by the alpacas and emus as I was, check out his pets’ Instagram page!
A writer’s life…
Recently I was invited to become a Royal Literary Fellow. I’ll tell you all about my role supporting students struggling with their writing when I take up my part-time post in late September. In the meantime, in July I went along to the Royal Literary Fund summer party, where I learned that crime writers are not the only writers who enjoy a good party! With wonderful food, plenty to drink, and a roomful of fascinating people, it was a memorable evening. Fortunately the venue was air conditioned as it was one of those days when the temperature in London hit the mid 30s – far too hot for me!
Still in July, the Crime Writers Association hosted a reception at Waterstones in Piccadilly, where the CWA Dagger Award shortlists were announced. As Chair of the Debut Dagger judging panel, I read out the names of the authors shortlisted for this award for new writers.
And in August, my panel of judges met for lunch to select a winner. It’s a privilege to play a part in this process to support emerging new writers.
So what with becoming a Royal Literary Fellow, and joining the Board of the Crime Writers Association, I seem to have become part of the literary establishment. I’ve always been something of a rebel, so I’ve no idea how that happened! I wrote once that I fell into writing like Alice down the rabbit hole, and that feeling of surprise hasn’t gone away yet…
In addition to my work supporting other writers, and spending time with my family (cue photo of my gorgeous grandaughter), I’ve been writing, of course!.
Deadly Alibi came out in paperback in May. Class Murder, the tenth Geraldine Steel crime novel, will be published in December as an ebook, with the paperback out early in 2018.
And this month I completed the first draft for the eleventh Geraldine Steel book, out in 2018. For obvious reasons it doesn’t look quite like the first draft of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd pictured below. I can’t imagine handwriting my books now!
LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION WINNER!
Finally, thank you to everyone who entered the competition to win a complete set of my re-designed backlist! And congratulations to the winner…
Margaret Worthington!
