‘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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Class Plaintiffs: Apple Should Pay $840 Million in Damages

If the plaintiff number is granted, it would put the total damages in this ebook conspiracy at over $1 billion. Five publishers have already paid $166 million. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon451 Unveils College Writing Contest

Simon & Schuster's new science fiction imprint, Simon451, has launched a writing contest for college students. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Richard Branson by Bower - journalists have not held him to account

Tom Bower, the author who so often strikes fear into his subjects, has taken a second critical look at Richard Branson.His new book, some 14 years on from his first biography, is being serialised in the Sunday Times, with the second instalment due in two days' time.I think all journalists would... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Britain's Great War; Food & Drink – TV review

Jeremy Paxman offers a view of the first world war that has its insights but avoids important questions that need answeringThe battle to carve up the 100th anniversary of the first world war began early this month with education secretary Michael Gove accusing historians and Blackadder – he... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Exprima Talks: Behind the Ink Enhances Ebooks

In this Exprima Talks episode, Corey Pressman talks to startup Beneath the Ink about their ebook enhancement technology, and to author Emma Boling about how she used it in her book, Mistress of France. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Study of greatness for The Friday Project

The Friday Project has bought a book by journalist and author Chris Wright, in a deal for world... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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ProPublica's Richard Tofel: 'Our mission is to end abuses of power'

The president of the non-profit investigative journalism website on measuring impact, team work – and Edward SnowdenRichard Tofel has had a dream. It came upon him the night before we meet and he is still a little rattled by it. In it, he found himself performing his old role at Dow Jones, where... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mariah Carey to write Christmas book

The singer will release a children's book later this year, based on her twins Moroccan and Monroe. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Does digital publishing mean the death of the author? | Richard Lea

We used to know what it took to be a writer – you had to publish a book. But electronic publishing is piling pressure on myths of the author's lifeWhat's the difference between making money out of books and writing books that people want to buy? Turns out it's about 40% – if, that is, you... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lee Schrager's 3 Essential Cookbooks

The founder of the Food Network South Beach and New York City Wine & Food festivals shares his cookbook inspirations. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Radio Times seeks to fuel digital success with print profits

Radio Times, which accounts for 60% of its publisher's profits, is undergoing a transformation to woo younger readersWhile other magazine publishers chase the digital-savvy generation of under-25s Radio Times is swimming against the tide somewhat, targeting a slightly older, thirtysomething... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roddy Doyle commits to co-write Roy Keane memoir

Booker-winning author to help legendary midfielder with 're-evaluation of the meaning of success'The Booker prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle is to team up with Roy Keane to write a motivational memoir which, according to its publisher, "re-evaluates the meaning of success". The midfield... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Roddy Doyle to write Roy Keane memoir

In an eye-catching pairing, Man Booker Prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle is to partner with ex-... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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X-Files star Gillian Anderson to write science fiction novels

Agent Scully actress will use her 'ingrained knowledge and rhythm' for SF to pen multi-volume EarthEnd SagaAfter delving into the paranormal for years as The X-Files' resident sceptic Dr Dana Scully, actor Gillian Anderson is set to create her own science-fictional universe – but this time in... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DBW 2014: Survey Finds Most Authors Want to Earn More

The Digital Book World/Writer's Digest 2014 survey, which polled just over 9,000 authors, found that many, given the chance, would still opt for a traditional book deal. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Class Action Suits Filed Against B&N

A number of law firms have filed class action lawsuits against Barnes & Noble that charge the company misled investors between February 25, 2013 and December 5, 2013. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writing in Vonnegut’s World

If these are the end times for literature, then we must be traveling in circles, for the death of storytelling looks an awful lot like its birth. The novel itself isn’t all that old. Sure, we can find a handful of examples going back thousands of years, but you have to stretch your definition of... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2014-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Richard Nash Joins Byliner Staff

Richard Nash, former Small Demons v-p, content and community, is joining Byliner, the digital subscription reading service, as v-p, partnerships. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House launches creative writing course

Random House Enterprises is to launch its first interactive online creative writing course. The... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Richard and Judy propel Picoult to UK number one

Jodi Picoult has become the first writer to top the official UK Top 50 in 2014. The mass-market... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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