Category: A.B.Patterson AUTHOR - A.B.PATTERSON

A lively library talk at Cessnock!

17/6/2019

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Cessnock Library last week, to chat about my writing, crime, and Harry's Quest.
It was a small crowd of about a dozen (that winter weather doesn't help), but were they lively?! Hell, yes! Susan Davy (the Events Manager at the library - and thank you so much for the invitation, Sue) had to pull me up for being out of time at the hour and a half mark.
Yes, bucket loads of great chat about crime, and corruption, and my writing.
And just about everyone bought a Harry book. Bonus.
It was great, too, that some of the audience were people who had come along to my first talk at Cessnock a couple of years back. They wanted to come back, and that is the greatest compliment.
Love you, Cessnock. I'll be back soon.
Cheers,
ABP

USA here I come - less than a week now!

16/6/2019

Madly trying to get a whole lot of things done here before the big trip on Thursday.
Yes, my first author trip to the US is almost here.
Can't wait to unleash, in person, my PI Harry Kenmare on our great cousins over in the US.
So, the evening of 28 June is the Switchblade authors evening at Skylight Books. I'm lining up with some serious talent - I've read them all - so hugely excited about this evening.
Then it's Noir at the Bar LA on 07 July. Not sure who's in the line up yet, but going on past events it'll be awesome.
Harry is heading for the home of hard-boiled. Cool.
Cheers,
ABP

Los Angeles here I come, along with PI Harry Kenmare!

9/6/2019

Less than a fortnight now until we're on that big metal bird heading over the vast Pacific Ocean from Sydney to California.
This is my first visit to the USA and I am seriously excited about it. Despite recent events, the US for me represents one of the beacons of western liberal democracy, alongside France. The symbolism of the gift of the Statue of Liberty is strong between these two great countries and their stand for freedom. And we as authors must value freedom, because without it our voices are silenced. I love liberty and free speech.
But enough of the philosophy soap-box.
The US is also the home of hard-boiled and noir crime fiction, my reading and writing milieu.
I am thrilled to be lining up with so much talent in the indie crime writing world for the Switchblade evening on 28 June at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. I've read stories from all my fellow Switchblade veterans, and the prospect of meeting them all, and having a drink or three, still seems almost surreal. Still, I'll be flying the Aussie flag at the bar. Rest assured my American friends, I'm a seasoned campaigner!
And I'll be unleashing my PI Harry Kenmare in the place where so much of the hard-boiled tradition started.
Then a week later, on 07 July, I'll be reading again at the Noir at the Bar evening, also in Los Angeles. I haven't seen the final line up for that event as yet, but it'll be another cool evening not to miss.
If you're in or around LA, I'd love to meet you at one or both of these evenings.
Cheers,
ABP

My short story, "Blue Angel", is out in "Econoclash Review" Issue # 4.

8/6/2019

Absolutely thrilled to have my short story, "Blue Angel", published in the excellent Econoclash Review magazine (Issue # 4).
If you haven't tried this anthology yet, then get yourself onto Amazon and try it out. The editor, J.D.Graves, does a great job at putting together a collection of pulp stories across several genres, so it's not just crime in here.
And my first offering in Econoclash is my first (published) attempt at merging genres, with a crime story mixed with the supernatural. You'll find my usual blend of detectives, vice and corruption, but a sexy ghost joins the party! Go on, take a read.
I'm also humbled to be lining up alongside some names whose work I love and respect: Rex Weiner, C.W.Blackwell, Matthew X. Gomez, and Jon Zelazny. I'm looking forward to reading their stories here, and to discovering the other voices in these pages.
The editor, Mr Graves, in the Amazon blurb says, "A.B. Patterson closes the show with the most transgressive thing I've read outside a public lavatory." I'll take that as high praise.
Take a look, my friends.
Buy a copy here.
www.amazon.com/s?k=econoclash+review+4&crid=2193MLQITGPO1&sprefix=econoclash%2Caps%2C766&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8

Cheers,
ABP

PI Harry Kenmare - in his element in the USA!

20/4/2019

Just a blog to showcase this superb photograph of my Harry books. And isn't Harry well and truly in his element here? Gun, booze, smokes, cuffs. Just needs a naked lady to round it out. This could easily be Harry's desk, but it's not Sydney, rather over the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
American crime writer, and fellow Switchblade veteran, Danny Sophabmisay, won the Harry books in the recent competition I ran in conjunction with Switchblade.
And he paid me back with this truly fantastic picture - Danny, you're a champion, mate.
I just love it, and so had to share it with you all. I've added it to the "Works" page on my website as well.
Now I just hope Danny enjoys the books!
Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson - author talk at Cessnock Library - 13 June 2019

19/4/2019

Another confirmed library talk for 2019.

Yes, back on the circuit with my new novel, Harry's Quest.

Heading up to the Hunter Valley for a morning in June and chatting with the good folk of Cessnock. Last time I visited we had a big crowd there, so hoping I created a good enough impression that they all want to listen to me again!

Cessnock Library - Thursday 13 June 2019, starting at 10.30 a.m.

Hope to see you there for coffee, crime, and a chat.

Cheers,
ABP

Author talk at Waverley Library - 22 May 2019.

6/4/2019

My first confirmed library talk for 2019.

Yes, back on the circuit with my new novel, Harry's Quest.

Had a great crowd last time I spoke at Waverley, so looking forward to meeting those local readers again.

Waverley Library (at Bondi Junction) - Wednesday 22 May 2019, starting at 7.00 p.m.

Hope to see you there.

Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson is bringing Harry to California!

4/4/2019

Woo hoo!
Tickets now booked and paid for.
My first visit to the U.S.A. and I'm going to be joining an amazing lineup of fellow Switchblade authors for a reading at Skylight Books in Los Angeles on 28 June.
I'm also firming up to appear at the Noir at the Bar evening organised by Eric Beetner on 07 July.
I can't even begin to describe how exciting this is for me. All these indie noir authors whom I've read with
such enjoyment - and now I'm going to meet a whole lot of them.
Yeah, that is well worth the 15-hour flight across the Pacific!
And I'll be packing every spare bit of space in my luggage (and my partner's luggage) with copies of Harry's World and Harry's Quest.
Cheers,
ABP

I love the English language - here are some Australian colloquialisms from the Harry novels!

25/2/2019

I love, that's LOVE, the English language - so much sheer vocabulary, delightful irregularities, variety and nuance; and then there are all the regional versions in the wide spread of English-speaking countries around the world.
Down here, that's "down under" here, we have our own little quirks: Australian words and phrases that a visitor from another English-speaking land hears and says, "WTF does that mean?!!!" Of course, all our cousins around the globe have their own gems, but here are some Aussie colloquialisms as used in the Harry novels, Harry's World and Harry's Quest. These all appear in the "Glossary" section in both books, but I've culled the lists to leave the particularly Aussie stuff. I concede a few may also be colloquial elsewhere. And some of them are definitely local police slang.
Enjoy.

arvo - afternoon
baccy - tobacco
Baygon - brand of insecticide
bewdy - a beautiful thing
biffo - fist-fight, punch-up
binos - binoculars
bogan - red-neck, rough-neck
Brizzie - Brisbane (capital of Queensland, an Australian state)
brumby - wild horse
bush (the) - the Australian countryside
chicken - child victim (paedophile slang)
circle work - doing 360 degree burn-outs in a car
D / demon -slang for ‘detective’
deli - delicatessen (corner store, convenience store)
dero - tramp, itinerant
dinkum - the real thing, genuine
doona - duvet, Continental quilt
doss house - lodging house, somewhere to sleep
dossing - lodging, crashing somewhere to sleep
doughnuts - see ‘circle work’
drum - information
dunny - toilet
eckys - ecstasy tablets (the drug MDMA)
fair suck of the sav - fair go, fair chance
Feds - Australian Federal Police
gat - handgun
GDs - general duties (uniformed police)
good sort - attractive girl or woman
grog - alcohol
hammer - heroin
job (in the) - in the police force
klicks - kilometres
Malachi Crunch - sexual position sandwiching a female between two males
MO - modus operandi(method of operation)
moolah - money, cash
ped - paedophile
pineapples - Australian $50 notes (yellow in colour)
piss - alcohol
Plastic Fantastics - derogatory term for the Australian Federal Police, used by the state police forces
pom - English person
Port Jackson - the first historic name of Sydney
P-plate - the “P” sign provisional drivers must attach to their cars
recce - reconnaissance
rego (plate) - registration number/plate (of a car)
rock spider - paedophile, child molester
‘roger’ (in dialogue) - police jargon for ‘affirmative’, usually used over the police radio
roger (to) - to have sexual intercourse (originally English slang)
root - sexual intercourse
rort - trick, deception
rorter - someone who pulls off a rort
rubbernecking - bystander watching behaviour at a scene
sav - short for ‘sauvignon’, in wine terms
schooner - a beer glass (in NSW 425ml, or 15oz)
shadowing - following, as in surveillance
sheila - girl, woman
shout - a round of drinks at a bar / to buy a shout
skippy - slang term used by immigrants to Australia to refer to Australians (from the TV show about a kangaroo called “Skippy”)
sledging - throwing insults
Special Constable - armed officer with limited police powers assigned to protection duties
stubby - a 375 ml bottle of beer
super - short for ‘superannuation’, an Australian pension system
thunder-box - an outdoor toilet
town bike - promiscuous girl or woman
tradie - tradesman
true blue - genuine

Cheers,
ABP

Video of "Harry's Quest" book launch!

11/2/2019

Finally, I have loaded up the video of the book launch a couple of weeks back - hours of technical hell with file formats, sizes, etc. There are days I hate technology!!! Okay, strop over.

So, for those who couldn't join us at the delightful Nude Bar at the Australian Youth Hotel, here it is. The video is split into two parts, due to the file length. It's about 1 hour 8 minutes in total.
The acclaimed thriller author, L.A.Larkin, a writing friend of mine, introduces the new novel, and I chat about writing it, as well as meandering off who knows where! The event is held together by my MC, Allan Yates, friend and fellow corruption investigator.
After the chat, there are audience questions and some very lively answers.
Watch here on the website: MEDIA
Or there's Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7sdJeZfWbE

Enjoy the watch.
Cheers,
ABP

The book launch for "Harry's Quest" - a merry affair!

23/1/2019

Yes, Sunday afternoon saw the official book launch for Harry's Quest, and about 50 people turned up to listen to the chat and have a drink or two.
The Nude Bar at the Australian Youth Hotel was a perfect venue, as always - can't complain about all those erotic artworks! Harry would certainly approve.

I thank you all for coming along, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
It was videoed, so that will be loaded onto my media page soon. In the meantime, I have attached a gallery of photos to this blog.

Cheers,
ABP

Radio interview - A.B.Patterson - 89.7 Eastside FM

22/1/2019

I'll be back on air tomorrow afternoon, chatting with Eric Gyors on Eastside FM in Paddington.

Wednesday 23 January 2019, from about 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

I've enjoyed two previous interviews with Eric to talk about my crime writing with my first novel Harry's World.
Eric was one of the guests who came along to the official launch of Harry's Quest on Sunday just gone.
And I'm looking forward to another great discussion tomorrow.

Tune in if you're around Sydney, or you can listen online anywhere in the world!
Eastside FM

Cheers,
ABP

"Harry's Quest" giveaway competition exclusively for "Switchblade" readers!

22/1/2019

This is a special promotion I'm doing in conjunction with the venerable noir magazine, Switchblade - and a different way to celebrate the world of noir writing!
Serendipity reigns this month with the official launch of Harry's Quest coinciding with the publication of Switchblade: Issue 8, which has one of my Harry short stories lining up with a serious collection of talented noir crime writers - always a great honour to be selected to appear with such outstanding company.

I feel very at home in the Switchblade world, and I reckon many Switchblade readers would take to PI Harry Kenmare with gusto. Harry's Quest is the new novel, sequel to Harry's World.

So, the competition?
In conjunction with Switchblade, I'm giving away 10 signed copies of Harry's Quest exclusively to Switchblade readers, and I'll post them anywhere in the world.

All you have to do is to purchase Switchblade: Issue 8 (either Kindle or print) and/or a Switchblade T-shirt (I've got 2 of them, and they're great).
Then send your proof of purchase to Switchblade magazine.
The closing date will be soon after the print version is released - exact date TBA.
After that, the esteemed managing editor of Switchblade, Mr Scotch Rutherford, will then draw the 10 winners, and I'll send out the signed copies of Harry's Quest. Easy!

Now, you don't need any extra reason to buy Switchblade magazine - it sure as hell speaks for itself - but now there is a bonus incentive!
So, noir-loving folks, get buying Switchblade: Issue 8, you'll love it. And go hard and buy a T-shirt as well.
Looking forward to 10 of you winning a copy of Harry's Quest!

Cheers,
ABP

The new "Switchblade" issue is out, and PI Harry Kenmare is lurking in its pages!

19/1/2019

"Wankers" - my new short story in Switchblade Issue 8.

Fortuitous (and how) timing has resulted in my latest new short story being published in the incomparable Switchblade magazine on the eve of the official launch of my new novel, Harry's Quest. My stars must be aligned, or something...

Yes, PI Harry Kenmare is back for his third appearance in short story format, and in the first person again. This time it's peep shows, army veterans, government cover-ups and corruption. Nearly forgot, sex, too! As well as justice, Harry-style.

This story, like the last, is only available in Switchblade, so Amazon is the place to grab it, either paperback (yet to be released) or Kindle (available right now!):
www.amazon.com/Switchblade-Issue-B-Patterson-ebook/dp/B07MXRYJ4H/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=switchblade+issue&qid=1547898772&sr=8-6

Enjoy!

Cheers,
ABP

Copyright notice: The cover image at left is the copyright of Switchblade magazine.

Book Launch - "Harry's Quest" - Sunday 20 January 2019 - Australian Youth Hotel

10/1/2019

Above: The Australian Youth Hotel (copyright ABP).

Right: The Nude Bar - photo courtesy of the AYH website (copyright of the AYH).

My first blog post for the year - appropriate that it's to announce the details for the official book launch for Harry's Quest.

We'll be back at the Nude Bar upstairs at the Australian Youth Hotel in Glebe, the scene of the launch of Harry's World 3 years ago. And how fitting, given that this pub, my local watering hole, is also Harry's local in the books, the Emerald Bar.

The big day is Sunday 20 January 2019 at 3 p.m. Drinks and canapés provided.

The acclaimed thriller author, L .A. Larkin, who I know through my writing circles, will be introducing the new novel. And Allan Yates, who I know through my investigator circles, will be the MC for the afternoon, to preside over lots of talk about crime fiction!

I'd love to see you there, so if you can make it, here is the link to register to get a place for it:
Eventbrite

Come along and enjoy.

Cheers,
ABP