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I've got a new page on my official website entitled ' Writing Tips' . At the moment it comprises of a checklist for writing a good crime story, but this might be added to in due course. There are also interviews and further tips on the blog on my website . I drafted this checklist to help those entering the CWA's ( Crime Writers' Association) Young Crime Writers' Competition 2011 so it is angled slightly towards writing a short story rather than a crime novel.  Sadly the Young Crime Writers' Competition is not continuing for 2012, which is a shame because I felt it was just gaining momentum. However there is going to be a National Crime Writing Month in June 2012 with lots of author and writing events taking place across the UK. I'll post more details here and on my website in due course but you can check this out and other events by visiting the CWA website How to write a good crime story by Pauline Rowson There are many different types of crim...

It's almost that time of the year again when crime will descend on the otherwise respectable spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England. Not a crime wave as in the criminal sense, although that could happen I guess, but an invasion of crime fiction writers and crime fiction fans. Yes, the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival will be taking place from 22 July to 25 July at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate.  And there are some A lister crime authors there: Karin Slaughter, Jeffrey Deaver, Ian Rankin. You know they're the BIG A List authors because their names are in BOLD RED on the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival website. The lesser known mortals are in ordinary black.  I'm imagining what it must be like to have your name in red, picked out as the star attraction - a pretty good feeling, I suspect. That is if you like public speaking, which I adore. I've not heard any of the big names speak, but I am sure that what they have to say will be interesting and ...

Random House US is launching a major advertising campaign in the USA on 23 November, with Dan Brown and other notables from the world of fiction, showing consumers that books make an ideal Christmas present. And I thought well what's good enough for Dan Brown is good enough for me. So, in my own little way I thought I'd beat the drum for the UK. According to a survey in the UK by Deloitte, (one of my former employers by the way) books are desired by 65% of consumers and will be bought as gifts by 63% of people. With retail sales struggling books are still deemed to be good value gifts. So, if you fancy curling up with a Marine Mystery then please go ahead. At £6.99 retail price you could probably pick up a copy for a fiver on line. Unless you pitch for Deadly Waters, or The Suffocating Sea, my two latest marine mysteries featuring my rugged detective Horton, and they are a little more expensive at the moment. Books are always popular gifts at Christmas because they offer such g...