Diary 2010
January
Starting off the New Year with the publication of my eighth book, Greater London Murders. The copies I have been sent look excellent! 6 January - I have just learned that a paperback edition of The Crooks Who Conned Millions will be out in June. It has been re-titled Charlatans and Fakers: History's Greatest Rogues.
I am pleased to see that my Amazon listing has been tidied up - the odd entry which showed me as the author of a magnifier has been removed!
Delighted at getting so much feedback of interest in Greater London Murders. I am doing a radio interview on 15th on the Robert Elms show, and a signing on 23rd at Walthamstow Waterstones, in the Mall. Have just done a telephone interview for the Sutton Guardian and hopefully more to follow.
13 January. Doing a talk in January always has the potential for problems - usually it is because I get a sore throat and have to speak very quietly to get to the end of the talk. This time I was in good voice, but the weather forecast looked ominous. Would I be able to get to Harlow WI? Would the members be able to attend? In the end it all worked out well. There was enough of a thaw to make travelling possible and the ladies turned out in excellent numbers. They were very welcoming and I had a wonderful time!
15 January - interviewed by Robert Elms for Radio London - he made me feel really relaxed about it, it was more like a friendly chat, really. Great fun!
23 January - book signing at Waterstones Walthamstow went really well. Lots of people stopped to talk to me and we sold most of the shop's stock of books - had to take spares out of the window display! Many thanks to Waterstones for organising this and looking after me so well.
February
Sometimes everything seems to happen at once, and that is this February! The History Press want me to finalise the page proofs and index of Middlesex Murders by the end of the month, and the British Library want the first draft of my book on the Illustrated Police News in the same time-frame. I have also been offered the opportunity of giving a talk on Westminster crimes to the official Westminster guides which I am very excited about. So all hands to the pump and I think I can get it done in time as long as I don't do anything silly like relaxing.
24 February
Attended a Society of Authors talk on how books are marketed which was very interesting. Some changes in the air on Waterstones some of which are under wraps but I like the idea that local shops will make more of a feature of local subjects and authors. Although my local Waterstones is part of a chain it has the feel of a shop which serves the community, which is great. Once the talk was over, time for a quick gulp of orange juice and then off to do my talk at Westminster archives. Struggled with a sore throat until someone produced a pack of pastilles called Vocalzones, which really saved my voice!
11 March Did a talk on Essex Murders. For logistical reasons it wasn't possible to refer to my notes a great deal but found to my surprise that I could do it extempore!
6 April Just back from the Easter SF convention where I delivered a talk on 'Escaped Lions and Runaway Elephants' - true tales of people who meet wild animals when they are least expecting it. Not only was this the first time I had delivered this new talk it was also the first time I have done a talk with Powerpoint. I think it went very well and the presentation worked as I had hoped.
9-11 April - at the Crime Writers' Association annual conference and AGM where I delivered my talk on Chloroform and Crime, which went well. As ever the conference was a very enjoyable experience for everyone, with some fascinating speakers, outings and good food. At the AGM I became a member of the CWA committee.
14 April - at the Metropolitan Police History Society where I gave the talk on Chloroform and Crime. A great honour to be asked to address the society! This is a picture of me and my Schimmelbusch mask.
15 April at Foyles to see a writers' panel advertised as contrasting crime fiction with crime written by 'non-fiction crime writers'. To my surprise this didn't mention books at all, it was about fiction and crime journalism. It was an interesting panel but the advertising was misleading.
19 Working hard on a follow up book to Essex Murders called More Essex Murders.
20 At the London Book Fair, which was quieter than usual due almost certainly to the cancellation of flights, but still lots of people to see.
28 Attended a lunch at the Savile Club, an event hosted by the Biographers' Club, with Julian Fellowes as guest speaker. Very enjoyable event!
29 A tour of the Reform Club in the morning and then into Victorian costume for an authentic magic lantern show in the evening.
MAY
4 To Chadwell Heath to give a talk on Essex Murders for the Charren Ladies club - a great audience - very friendly and welcoming!
6 My first ever meeting as a committee member of the Crime Writers' Association. Then to the Gore Hotel Kensington to the CWA reception for the award of the prestigious diamond dagger to Val McDiarmid.
Oh woe is me! Managed to sprain my ankle on the way back from the Gore Hotel. I know that research is often thought of as a sedentary occupation but I am suddenly finding I can't get about to the archives I need to visit! Resting the ankle as much as possible is the only thing. Had to postpone a visit to the Essex Police Museum.
12 Hobbling on a stick but managed to get to the Police History Society end of season soiree which included a tour of the Crime Museum. Now back to resting the ankle and writing.
26 After two days in the archives squinting at the tiny print in Victorian newspapers and squiggly handwriting I felt ready for a different kind of treat and had a great time at the Biographers' Club picnic which was at the lovely Charleston farmhouse in Sussex. A Prosecco tea, a tour of the house and a fascinating and entertaining panel by some superb biographers all added up to a highly enjoyable event. Grateful thanks to the organisers!
JUNE
8 To Wickford Library for a talk on Essex Murders. Large and appreciative audience!
9 Erith Library for a talk about Erith Greenwich and Gravesend murders. A lovely little location and a very enjoyable visit.
19 Delighted to see the front cover design for Fraudsters and Charlatans on Amazon. My name is above the title, too!
23 I have just printed out the last page of the book on the Illustrated Police News. In a way it is wonderful to see it finished but there is also always a twinge of regret at the end of a much-loved project. Still, it will always be with me in one way or another!
Busy day as I was at Romford this evening to deliver a talk on Essex Murders.
28 Delivered the manuscript of the Illustrated Police News to the editor at the British Library. I can't wait to see the proof copies now - very exciting!
JULY
5 After many months of discussion we think we have the final title for the book in the Illustrated Police News -Cruel Deeds and Calamities. Due out in January 2011.
This evening I was at Hoddesdon to speak to the members of the Ladies' Club on the subject of Essex Murders. Technically we were in Hertfordshire, but only just. A lovely evening!
12 Spoke to some delightful ladies about Essex Murders in the setting of a peaceful bowls club at Wanstead Park. Very Agatha Christie!
14 This is the first time I have given a talk on Middlesex Murders - I did this at Uxbridge Library and it went really well! A very appreciative audience who asked many questions afterwards.
16 To Essex Police Museum to do picture research. Becky the curator could not have been more helpful. Have just learned that Greater London Murders has sold out of the first edition and will be reprinted - that's good going as it was only out in January!
21 Interviewed today for a feature in the Uxbridge Gazette about Middlesex Murders
22-25 At Harrogate for the Crime Writing Festival. This is my third one and it is always a highly enjoyable and stimulating experience. Good to see the friends I have made, and meet new people and be in the company of so many enthusiastic people who all read avidly and write as well.
AUGUST
23 Back from a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where I saw 27 productions. Inspired in spare moments to write a monologue. Wonder if it will ever amount to anything!
27 A day in the British Library. I was impressed by the level of surveillance. The use of pens is forbidden there, and as I was working in the electronic resources room a security man dashed in to look at what implement a user was writing with. Apparently he couldn't see on the CCTV whether or not it was a pen and needed to check. I have certainly seen people admonished for using a mobile phone there.
28 Spoke to a friend who told me she had been reading a library book which she had enjoyed and thought it was just my kind of thing and was about to recommend it to me. Looking at the front cover she then saw that it was one of my books - Crooks Who Conned Millions!
30 Toured round Essex taking pictures for More Essex Murders. Got even more done than I had hoped so only one more trip needed.
SEPTEMBER
4 Attended Thames Valley police open day which was fascinating and fun
8 Delighted to see my next book Cruel Deeds and Dreadful Calamities (about the Illustrated Police News) advertised on Amazon for the first time!
11 Another photography trip. To Widdington where I took pictures of the grave of James Mumford and also Hollow Lane where he was murdered in 1823. Then to the delightful Fleur de Lys pub where his body was carried. Drove to The Highams Park and had a nice stroll beside the River Ching wher I took pictures of where George Stanley Grimshaw met his unhappy fate in 1922.
20 Talk at Upminster Library on Essex Murders - a very welcoming and interested audience and that staff could not have been more helpful.
21 Important day as I now have the signed contract for a really big new project, a biography of the infamous Marquess of Queensberry which has been commissioned by Yale University Press. I am very excited about this as it has been something I have wanted to do for many years!
27 Attended the Society of Authors AGM which had an interesting panel discussion on ebooks, apps and the digital future. The take-home message was that things are so fluid and unpredictable right now that no-one really knows where we will be in even three years. Authors are advised not to lock themselves into long-term contracts with fixed ebook royalty rates.
OCTOBER
4 Transport strike today but managed to get to and from Elm Park to give a talk on Essex Murders to the Aquarius Ladies Club. Nice big hall, very active group and a warm welcome!
11 At Cheshunt for my talk on Chloroform, which I always enjoy doing. Another wonderful group of ladies!
14 My Essex Murders talk up at Billericay Library - a really large audience and we all had a good evening. I got some great feedback. I would very much like to go back next year when More Essex Murders is out.
NOVEMBER
4 Attended the Ellis Peters historical crime fiction awards ceremony, which was very enjoyable. The short list was a very strong field indeed and I didn't envy the task of the judges in deciding the winner.
12 Very exciting development! My novel - a Victorian murder mystery has been accepted for publication and I have just received the contract. I so enjoyed writing it and do hope that others will also enjoy reading it.
16 A fun meeting at the British Library about Cruel Deeds, dealing with a few minor issues in the manuscript and planning the publicity. Soon, I'll be doing my first podcast!
18 The title of my novel will be The Poisonous Seed, and it is currently scheduled for publication in March 2011.
21 Update on The Poisonous Seed - it is now scheduled for April and I am starting on the follow-up book! Took part very briefly in the debate on the ethics of using real crimes as entertainment in film/tv on Sunday Morning Live. This can be viewed on BBC iplayer. I am a big fan of iplayer which supplies interesting programmes to keep me awake while I am doing boring stuff like spell-checking!
26 The Poisonous Seed is listed on Amazon for the first time. I have been waiting for this moment ever since I scribbled my first novel at the age of 12!
29 A meeting at the British Library to discuss the cover and design of Cruel Deeds - I can hardly wait to see the result!
30 I have seen a draft copy of the cover design of The Poisonous Seed and it is exactly what I had hoped for. It combines the two important elements of the story, a Victorian chemist's shop and a young woman as the main character.
DECEMBER
2 I have just completed the final text of More Essex Murders and can deliver to my publisher. In the last few weeks I have been working on five things at once which has been a crazy schedule but I have now brought that down to only two, which is quite enough!
6 Biographers' Club Xmas party - very enjoyable and met some fascinating people.
14 Crime Writers' Association Xmas Party appropriately at the excellent Sherlock Holmes Hotel Baker Street.
15 Xmas with the Forest Writers' group. I think anyone wanting to develop their writing should look for a good local group which can give so much support.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday! I was recently asked if I 'take a holiday' from writing. Well of course I do take holidays but writing is something I enjoy so much I never think of getting away from it!
Linda Stratmann