‘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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The Voyeur's Motel by Gay Talese – digested read

‘Gerald and I looked through the vents and saw a male having intercourse. I noted that Gerald ejaculated at 7.51pm’I know a married man with two children who bought a 21-room motel near Denver many years ago in order to become its resident voyeur. I first became aware of this individual in 1980... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This Week's Bestsellers: May 30, 2016

A pair of on-air personalities make the leap from broadcasting to the bestseller lists this week. Plus Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee returns with ‘The Gene,” Bram Stoker Award Winner Joe Hill introduces readers to ‘The Fireman,’ and much more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Behind the Spanish Bestseller, 'All My Futures Are With You'

A book of poetry by singer-songwriter Marwan has now spent over 43 weeks on the bestseller lists in Spain thanks, in part, to the star's social media following. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Mein Kampf,’ ‘The Defector’ Tops in Germany

A number of new titles hit the top of the bestseller lists in major European markets at the end of February. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-03-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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International Bestsellers: Nobel Laureate Alexievich Tops Swedish List

Bestseller lists from France, Italy, and Sweden, where Svetlana Alexievich was the #1 nonfiction title in December. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Winners and losers: publishers pick the 2015 books they loved, missed and envied

Which books did well, which were left on the shelves, and which made editors green with envy?Visit bookshop.theguardian.com to browse all these books or call 0330 333 6846. 20p from every book you buy until Christmas will be donated to our Charity Appeal.The book that made my year: In a year... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-12-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How do I love thee? Let me Instagram it

Mobbed at signings, followed by millions and topping the bestseller lists: Instapoets such as Lang Leav, Rupi Kaur and Tyler Knott Gregson are poetry’s new superstars, publishing their love poems and haiku on social media. But are they any good? In 2013, Lang Leav self-published a small debut... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-11-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Poets Move from Tumblr to the Bestseller List

Several poets including Tyler Knott Gregson have transitioned from Tumblr to bestseller lists, selling hundreds of thousand of books in the process. The post Poets Move from Tumblr to the Bestseller List appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-11-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Oprah Winfrey takes stake in Weight Watchers as company refocuses on wellness

Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement was once enough to boost books to bestseller lists and send sales soaring of products dubbed her “favorite things.”Now Weight Watchers International Inc. is counting on that influence to propel its waning weight-loss brand past the competition of free diet and fitness... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-10-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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News Briefs: Week of August 24, 2015

‘NYT’ changes kids’ bestseller lists and more in this week's publishing news briefs. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Haruki Murakami's agony uncle answers become eight-volume book

Bestselling Japanese novelist’s responses to readers’ queries published as a lengthy ebook, with an abridged version available in printHaruki Murakami is riding high in the charts again, after a digital edition of his latest work that stretches to eight volumes has raced up the bestseller... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ted Cruz wants to see his book on bestseller lists, denies bulk-buy allegations

Sen. Ted Cruz's memoir "A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America" has sold 12,000 copies, reports Time magazine, and is ranked at No. 16 on Amazon's list of bestselling books. Readers interested in the Texas Republican's autobiography can find it at most bookstores, but there's one... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-07-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Coloring Book Phenomenon Takes Over Brazil

In Brazil this past April and May, 17.34% of all books sold were coloring books — a genre which has dominated the bestseller lists for months. The post The Coloring Book Phenomenon Takes Over Brazil appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Randall Munroe's upcoming book 'Thing Explainer' is already a bestseller

'Explainer,' the upcoming book by 'What If?' writer Munroe, is already near the top of bestseller lists despite not being published until November. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-05-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Transworld pair top fiction charts

Lee Child and Paula Hawkins have given Transworld two chart-toppers in this week's bestseller lists. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sara Gruen's 'At the Water's Edge' sells well despite mixed reviews

The book by the 'Water for Elephants' writer has held steady on bestseller lists, though some critics gave the book negative reviews. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-05-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Colouring books for adults top Amazon bestseller list

Surge in popularity of genre attributed to ‘anti-stress’ benefits and nostalgiaThe bestselling title on Amazon in the US right now is not Harper Lee’s hugely anticipated second novel, Go Set a Watchman, or George RR Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, or even Zoella’s much-mocked but... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amy Poehler's 'Yes Please' continues to thrive on bestseller lists

'Yes' was released almost six months ago but it's still holding steady on multiple bestseller lists. Poehler starred on the NBC sitcom 'Parks and Recreation' as well as 'Saturday Night Live' and films such as 'Anchorman 2' and 'The Secret World of Arrietty.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Debuts Top February Charts

New titles dominated the top spots on bestseller lists across international markets last month. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' stays strong on bestseller lists

'Tidying Up,' which gives readers a one-time solution to de-cluttering their home, has been a mainstay on bestseller lists since its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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