Monday 30 April 2012

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.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Martin - I'm so happy to hear you have the opportunity to focus moreo n your writing. Congratulations on your nominations for The Hanging Wood and I look forward very much to Lake District novel #6

Patrick said...

Congratulations, Martin, and I wish you the best of luck in your 'new era'! I'm a long-time follower of your blog (especially by Internet standards) but I must confess I have never read any of your books thus far! I'll have to correct this oversight in the near future. :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the new beginning!

Kerrie said...

welcome to your new life Martin. Won't be at CrimeFest this year- a bit far to come from the antipodes but all the best with the awards.

Pauline Rowson said...

Good luck in your new era. See you at CrimeFest.

Fiona said...

Good luck with your future plans Martin! That sounds a very positive step, and is great news for us fans!

J said...

Congratulations on the new scheme, and good luck!

crimeficreader said...

Martin, wishing you all the best in the new era!

Christine said...

Congratulations - on both accounts!
Chrissie

Paul Beech said...

Martin – Congratulations! It might only be one day a week you’re gaining initially but I’m sure you’ll make it tell.

I’m delighted, also, to see that ‘The Hanging Wood’ has been long-listed for those two awards. Your Lake District mysteries have a quite distinct charm, which I’d love to see translated onto the small screen – anything in the offing? I hope No 6 is coming along well, but will be fascinated to see where your future projects take you. Somehow, I suspect you’ll always have a special feeling for the Lakes. (I will too, as my dad spent the last two and a half years of his life very happily in a wonderful Cumbrian care home before passing away peacefully two weeks ago, aged 89, in a local cottage hospital, with all the family at his bedside.)

Hope to catch up with you at an event soon.

Very best wishes,

Paul

Peaches Ledwidge said...

Wishing you much success with your writing!

Dorte H said...

Congratulations!

And I hope that the day will come soon when you can give up your day-job altogether - if you want to.

Martin Edwards said...

Thank you all very much for your kind remarks. Greatly appreciated.