A New Era

Today represents quite a significant landmark in my career as a writer, since it is my last day as a full-time partner in a law firm. As from tomorrow, I reduce to four days a week, and although the nature of the job is such that one has to be very flexible about working arrangements, it’s a change I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

I’m hoping to focus more on my writing from now on, as well as on ancillary and very enjoyable activities like attending crime conventions, giving talks, organising workshops and so on. Now, one extra day a week won’t make a huge difference right away, but it will definitely help. And I’m certainly grateful to my colleagues at my lovely new firm of Weightmans, who knew of my plans from the time I first started discussing merger with them, and have been very supportive.

I’m now working on Lake District Mystery number six, and although I have future projects in mind, I do find undertaking research in the Lakes one of the most agreeable of tasks. I’ve recently had a look round the fascinating museum at Keswick, and I’m also aiming to feature the town’s marvellous Theatre by the Lake.

On the subject of the Theatre, I’d like to give a plug to David Ward’s latest fund-raising effort. Noisy Owls and Dead Nuns is a light-hearted publication which gathers entertaining material from stage managers’ reports over the years. The compilation has been independently financed and all profits after printing costs will support the work of Theatre by the Lake. Copies cost £2.50 plus 70p for postage and can be ordered by phone on 017687 74411 or by post from Theatre by the Lake/Noisy Owls, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ.

Finally, a word about The Hanging Wood. It has just been long-listed for two Crimefest 2012 awards: the Audible Sounds of Crime Award and the Ebook Award. It’s a nice note on which to start a new era.