‘I wanted to write a suburban Reacher’: Richard Osman talks to Lee Child about class, success and the secret to great crime writing

The two bestselling authors who both started in TV discuss writing as a second career, natural justice – and what they really think of literary fictionIn the four years since Richard Osman published his first Thursday Murder Club novel he has consistently topped the bestseller lists, and now his quartet of retirement-age detectives will be portrayed on screen by a cast including Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. Having grown up in Sussex, Osman started out in TV, where he created and co-hosted the gameshow Pointless. His forthcoming novel We Solve Murders – the start of a new series – features a writer billed as the world’s bestselling novelist, “if you don’t count Lee Child”. Child, the creator of former military police officer Jack Reacher, has enjoyed phenomenal popularity since he left his career – also in TV, where he worked on shows including Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown and Cracker – and started writing, with his first novel published in 1997. Raised in Birmingham, he moved to the US in 1998 and now lives between Manhattan and rural Wyoming. He wrote 24 Reacher novels before announcing in 2020 that he would be handing the series to his brother Andrew.Lee Child I feel that writing is always a second-phase career, or at least should be. It’s that rare thing that not only can you do it when you’re older, but you should do it when you’re older. Pick your cliche: your gas tank is full, your database is compiled. You are a person. You are ready to write.... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-09-14 09:00:23 UTC ]
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BEA talks bookselling with Teicher and Patterson

In two panels devoted to bookselling on BEA’s first day (Wednesday 28th May) - a keynote on... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Successful Longevity

In November of 2012 Herman Wouk, at age 97, spoke to Brooks Barnes of the New York Times about his newest book, The Law Giver, which had just been published by Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Her Ideal Reader: PW Talks With Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of five internationally bestselling novels, including The Husband’s Secret. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: A Satisfying Debut Collection: Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger

“We like each other and we drive each other crazy—that’s a good match for writing,” says Richard Scrimger, describing partnering with fellow Canadian author Marthe Jocelyn on Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book (Tundra, May), illustrated by Claudia Davila. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Strong Traffic, Talk of Amazon-Hachette

Show-goers have been impressed with BookExpo America 2014 so far, saying it's one of the most exciting and energetic in recent years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Authors Will Want to Be ‘Binked’

The terminology is fresh because the concept is fresh: “curated, additional content” on an ebook. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Uncovering Family Secrets: Garth Stein

The last time Garth Stein was at Book Expo it was 2008, and he admits he was happy to get “spill” from Tom Wolfe’s (I Am Charlotte Simmons) autographing line. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Want to help your local bookshop? Visit it | The New Reading

Yes, it's called My Independent Bookshop, but what does Penguin Random House's new site do for booksellers?I've just opened my very own bookshop at myindependentbookshop.com, the new book recommendation site from Penguin Random House. I enjoyed choosing the font for my logo (Shakespearean), the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cuaron 'in talks' on Rowling's 'Fantastic Beasts'

Director Alfonso Cuaron is deep in talks to direct a new film based on JK Rowling's Fantastic... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Talks with Marcus J. Borg: Overturning Common Christianity

In his new book, "Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most," biblical scholar Marcus J. Borg ("Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time") reflects on the events in his life that shaped his faith and his convictions about the future of American Christianity. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Baking and Blogging in Paris: PW Talks with David Lebovitz

In David Lebovitz's new book, 'My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories,' the blogger, former Chez Panisse pastry chef, and cookbook author recounts, through both personal stories and recipes, how he brings the city’s cuisine into his own kitchen in Paris. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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M.F.A. Survey 2014: Agents and Editors Talk M.F.A. Programs

Many agents and editors use M.F.A. programs as resources for finding new talent. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HC to host digital festival for romance writing

HarperCollins is hosting a virtual romance festival, with contributions from fellow publishers... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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MJ buys Linskey crime series

Michael Joseph has acquired a new crime series by Howard Linskey. Editor Emad Akhtar bought... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Founder of Just-Launched Authors Alliance Talks to PW

PW contributing editor Peter Brantley talks with UC Berkeley law professor Pamela Samuelson, founding member of a new author advocacy group, the Authors Alliance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Great War and Religion: A Neglected History

World War I is remarkable in military history for its massive scope and loss of life, with more than nine million combatants killed. But its role in religious history is less appreciated, and an array of books coinciding with the July centennial could change that. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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5 Writing Tips: Max Brooks

The author of "World War Z" and "The Harlem Hellfighters" says it's okay to have over 200 drafts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Talking with George Guidall

When the APA hands out the prizes at its annual Audie Awards Gala on May 29, actor and narrator George Guidall, who has given voice to more than 1,100 audiobooks, will receive a Special Achievement Award. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Eight Great Books About Comic Books

Along with the growing popularity of graphic novels, there's also been a boom in books about comics. Here's a short list of new and upcoming books that should have a place on the shelf of every serious comics enthusiast. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Child, Billingham & Mina on Theakstons longlist

Lee Child, Mark Billingham and Denise Mina are among the authors longlisted for the 10th... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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