Paul Stretton-Stephens - Writer

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Paul

Cover Reveal of Lethal Promise (Book #3 in The Jack Jago Series)

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Cover Reveal of Lethal Promise (Book #3 in The Jack Jago Series)

I have great pleasure in revealing the cover for LETHAL PROMISE, the next installment in the Jack Jago Thriller Series. And I have added the blurb for the book below.

Please let me know what you think?

Lethal Promise Cover

 

Lethal Promise – A Jack Jago Thriller (Book #3)

A deadly cocktail of business and ideology, where revenge is the only option.

Disaster strikes while Jago is enjoying a holiday in Australia with his friend Hunter and their respective partners. A well-orchestrated and merciless attack on innocent civilians results in multiple casualties, some of whom are close to Jago. Now he wants to know: who did it, and why?

Jago’s immediate pursuit of the culprits is the tip of the iceberg, and the authorities enlist him to track down the ruthless attackers. Governments often hire Jago to undertake risky contracts, but this time it’s personal. And for Jago, revenge is the only option: he’s made a ‘lethal promise’ to bring the perpetrators to justice – his justice – and he intends to keep it.

The hunt is on, and it tests Jago’s investigative and military expertise to the limit as he travels along the wild coast of Australia, to the exotic Maldives, and to the paradise island of Mauritius.

The question is, can Jago fulfill his promise before the attackers strike again?

Launch Date: End of May 2019

5 Events to Feed Your Crime Fiction Habit

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Crime Fiction Events

Are you a crime fiction fan like me?

Do you love murder mysteries, cozy mysteries, psychological, medical, legal, political, military espionage, or crime thrillers, then here are a few selected events to feed your crime fiction habit?

  1. Granite Noir

Founded in 2017 this event goes from strength to strength.

Granite Noir delivers a rich programme of author conversations with the like of Mark Billingham, Stella Duffy, and Stuart MacBride. There are family events, workshops, late night noir, exhibitions and much more. Events take place across Aberdeen over the last weekend in February, transforming the city into a hub for crime fiction lovers of all ages.

Venue: Across various venues in the City of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Date: 22nd to 24th Feb 2019

  1. Noireland

Belfast’s NOIRELAND, International Crime Festival is delighted to announce that it is returning in spring 2019, with another weekend of stellar names from the world of crime fiction including: Ann Cleeves, Anthony Horowitz, Belinda Bauer, James Swallow, Denise Mina, and Stuart MacBride

It is shaping up to be another superb weekend of crime fiction, with interviews and discussions featuring some of the greatest names from page and screen.

Dates: 8th-10th March

Venue: Europa Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland

  1. Murder and Mayhem in Chicago

Bringing murder and mayhem—the fictional kind—to Chicago.

MMC is a one-day event featuring some of Chicago’s top mystery/crime writers and a few of their friends, too. This event is perfect for crime readers and librarians hoping to find new books to read and aspiring crime writers hoping to learn about the mystery community and writing and publishing careers.

Date: 23rd March 2019

Venue: Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

  1. Left Coast Crime (Whale of a Crime)

Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, both readers and authors. It is held during the first quarter of the year in Western North America. Noir, cozy, thriller, historical and more.

Date: 28th to 31st March 2019

Venue: Hyatt Regency, Vancouver, Canada

  1. NewcastleNoir

There is no mystery about where the North’s crime fiction fans will soon be heading – Newcastle Noir is back. The hugely popular literary weekend is returning for its sixth year and the event is on the move.

Authors in attendance include: Lilja Sigurdardóttir, Vanda Symon, Mel Sherratt, and Jaqui Rose

Dates: 3rd-5th May 2019

Venue: Newcastle City Library, Newcastle, UK

 

Visit my Crime Fiction Events Page for more exciting events and please let me know what your favorite crime fiction event is?

Leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Traditional Publishing Versus Self-Publishing – The Debate Continues

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Traditional Publishing Versus Self-Publishing – The Debate Continues

I think that all authors/writers should research the market constantly, whether they be traditionally published or Indie authors. And I’ve been doing just that. If you haven’t, you might find some of the links contained in this post of interest to you.

I have just been reading a marvellous Forbes -based article, ‘50 Writing Tips From My 15 Years As An Author’ by Kevin Kruse. It’s a very enlightening and encouraging article for writers of all genres.

Then I came upon an article in the books section of the Guardian online by Ros Barber, entitled, ‘For me, traditional publishing means poverty. But self-publish? No way.’

Ros, talks of the pitiful advance that he has recently received from a traditional publishing deal and appears to be dead against self-publishing, citing some issues that she has with the indie industry.

Now both authors here are providing their valuable opinions, based on their beliefs and experiences to date, and as ever we can take from those what we wish.

However, when I was reading Teleread, I came across ‘An open letter to Ros Barber on self-publishing’ By Paul St John Mackintosh. Paul politely addresses the words or Ros on a point by point basis and does so very well indeed. I wonder if there will be a response?

You see, everyone has their points of view, and can substantiate those beliefs, views, opinions in many ways. At the end of the day, it is up to the individual which route they take, traditional publishing or self-publishing, or depending on genre(s), maybe a combination of the two.

Here are just some of the considerations discussed:

– dedicating time to writing

– marketing activities, book design, etc

– writing with the intention of being recognised in literature prizes such as Booker

at the moment

– for indie authors foregoing attendance at many literature festivals

– higher royalties versus lower royalties

– more control versus less control

I’ve decided to take the self-publishing route and keep my mind open to all possibilities.

Take a look for yourself and form your opinion. And feel free to share your comments.

Cheers

Paul

Thrombolites – Lake Clifton, Western Australia

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Thrombolites – Lake Clifton, Western Australia

After returning from a recent trip to Australia, I found myself busy sorting out the photographs into categories so that I can use them in my writing. I tend to use photographs in this way as they provide an excellent source of reference. On this particular journey, we had a fantastic opportunity to Living Stonesvisit the Thrombolites (Living Stones). Evidently, this is the only place on the planet where they can be found, and I can already see where they might feature in a future story. They are situated in a 20 km long lake at a place called Lake Clifton. Lake Clifton is in the Yalgorup Lakes National Park, less than half an hour’s drive south of Mandurah along Old Coast Road. The Thrombolites sit in shallow water along a 6km-long section of Lake Clifton’s eastern shoreline. They appear like giant stone footballs in the water where they multiply and attach to one another. By the way, if you do get the chance to visit the Thrombolites, there’s a beautiful winery complete with restaurant and music nearby. You can see more photos for my trip here.

An Island Castle – St Michael’s Mount

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An Island Castle – St Michael’s MountMarazion looking over to St Michael's Mount

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, Cornwall, UK is a place that features in my Tacrem Adventure Series. It’s an island with a castle that is separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway. When the tide is out, you can walk over to the island over large cobbled stones and when the tide is in you can cross by small boat.

Writer Page of P Stretton-Stephens

It’s an interesting place that conjures up all sorts of ideas.

It is full of history and fascinating to wander around. I have many times, and it never ceases to amaze me. I believe that some films and TV channels have used it as a location, films such as Dracula, The Adventurer, and Twelfth Night.  The decor, displays, defences, and views are spectacular.

You can see a small collection of photos from my last visit here courtesy of my good lady wife. Click here for more details regarding St Michael’s Mount 

 

Valencia, Spain

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Valencia, Spain

Hello, I haven’t posted for a while, and that’s for a good reason. I’ve been researching locations, resources and writing my new thriller, and yes I’ve been writing a lot! But let me tell you about where I’ve been studying. I’ve chosen some scenes in my current writing project to take place in Valencia, Spain, a vibrant city full of architectural wonders, fascinating people, and exciting culture. Oh, and I nearly forgot lovely beaches and in March a super fiesta in Fallas!

Here’s a short montage of this wonderful city? I hope that you enjoy it?