So I attended the Paul Charles reading at the Linenhall Library last night. And, like any event that David ‘No Alibis’ Torrans has a hand in, it was a cracker.
I arrived a little late, so I missed the wine reception. But it looked like the library had pulled out all the stops in that area. I caught a glimpse of fresh fruit, cheese and crackers. I inhaled a sniff of wine. I could sense the rosy-cheeked joviality in the air. But late or not, as soon as I arrived, David gave me a warm welcome and kindly introduced me to Mister Charles. As is the trend in crime fiction, he was a charming and friendly individual. I’ve yet to meet a crime writer I didn’t like. Maybe that’s a niche I should aim for, if I ever manage to sell a few books. To be known as the one and only obnoxious crime writer in Ireland. Shouldn’t require much effort. I just need to make sure I’m either drunk or hungover at all my signings.
As well as meeting Paul Charles, I also met one of my three CSNI readers. Hiya, Allen McKay. It was great chatting to you. Especially since I attended the event on my Jack Jones.
Paul Charles read from his latest Inspector Kennedy novel, The Beautiful Sound of Silence. A very humorous excerpt that the whole audience enjoyed. But the highest point of the evening was the Q&A. John Killen, the Deputy Librarian, warmed up Mister Charles with some excellent fanboy questions. Then he threw the poor man to the mercy of the audience. Mister Charles answered all questions very well, and I can honestly say I learned a little more about the elusive craft of writing. Very encouraging stuff.
So I got him to sign my copy of The Dust of Death, which I’m currently enjoying, and picked up a copy of The Beautiful Sound of Silence for future consumption. All in all, a great wee night.
David Torrans? When's the next event, eh?
I arrived a little late, so I missed the wine reception. But it looked like the library had pulled out all the stops in that area. I caught a glimpse of fresh fruit, cheese and crackers. I inhaled a sniff of wine. I could sense the rosy-cheeked joviality in the air. But late or not, as soon as I arrived, David gave me a warm welcome and kindly introduced me to Mister Charles. As is the trend in crime fiction, he was a charming and friendly individual. I’ve yet to meet a crime writer I didn’t like. Maybe that’s a niche I should aim for, if I ever manage to sell a few books. To be known as the one and only obnoxious crime writer in Ireland. Shouldn’t require much effort. I just need to make sure I’m either drunk or hungover at all my signings.
As well as meeting Paul Charles, I also met one of my three CSNI readers. Hiya, Allen McKay. It was great chatting to you. Especially since I attended the event on my Jack Jones.
Paul Charles read from his latest Inspector Kennedy novel, The Beautiful Sound of Silence. A very humorous excerpt that the whole audience enjoyed. But the highest point of the evening was the Q&A. John Killen, the Deputy Librarian, warmed up Mister Charles with some excellent fanboy questions. Then he threw the poor man to the mercy of the audience. Mister Charles answered all questions very well, and I can honestly say I learned a little more about the elusive craft of writing. Very encouraging stuff.
So I got him to sign my copy of The Dust of Death, which I’m currently enjoying, and picked up a copy of The Beautiful Sound of Silence for future consumption. All in all, a great wee night.
David Torrans? When's the next event, eh?
9 comments:
Whats it like in there? Cheekily I had a scene in Bloomsday in the Linen Hall but I havent been in there since I was about 14.
Good report on mr c.
Ger
And I was wondering if you shouldnt add Ronan Bennett to your list of N Irish Crime Writers. I just read the Catastrophist which is Graham Greene style thriller set in the Congo. Another one I read last year was called Havoc in its Third Year about a coroner trying to solve a baby killing in pre Cromwellian England.
Two caveats: Bennett considers himself a writer of literary fiction and might hate the "crime writer" label and second he doesnt really need the publicity as his wife is a senior editor at the Guardian.
a...
Adrian - The Linenhall is still a pretty classy looking library. I don't think it's changed much in the last wee while. I remember that scene, and I didn't notice any glaring errors. But then, the scene in the van afterwards kind of overshadowed it.
Ronan Bennett. I've just been reading his Wikipedia entry. I'll see if I can get in touch with him. If he doesn't want to be considered a crime writer, well, that's his loss.
But thanks for the heads up. I found a good number of writers this way.
gb
Ger
He's very good. Especially Havoc. Kind of a controversial guy as you probably got from Wikipedia. I definitely think of him as a thriller/crime writer type in the Brian Moore/Graham Greene/Le Carre mould.
a...
Is he the edge's da?
Paul Charles not Ronan
Colman - He could well be. He's certainly cool enough.
gb
I enjoyed the night, great to meet you. Keep up the good work!
I have to say the first thing i thought about when i arrived was not the food and wine, but about the scene in Bloomsday Dead!! although i did enjoy the wine... thanks again to the Linenhall and David.
Now I have another book in my to read list...
Allen McKay
Allen - That's what this gig is all about; spreading the word about the talent on offer in the NI crime fiction scene.
Great to meet you too.
Nice McKinty reference, BTW.
Cheers
gb
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