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

EXCITED! - Part 2: Interior images for my new book - the PI Harry Kenmare short stories.

11/3/2020

Harry Kenmare, PI - At Your Service

I blogged a while ago to announce my next publication project - the collection of Harry Kenmare short stories. The manuscript is still being polished up (final edits), so actual publication is probably 2 months away yet, allowing for printing time.
However, I am HUGELY EXCITED to have just received the final artwork for the interior images, and the cover (see previous blog).

I have been inspired by the anthology magazines I read and their penchant for including artwork/images between, or to head up, stories. Great examples are Pulp Modern, Switchblade, and Econoclash Review.

So when I was conceptualizing putting together my collection, I started thinking about maybe including artwork.
Long story short, I perused Pulp Modern long and hard and, suitably inspired, went seeking out the services of Ran Scott over in the US.
And, hey presto, I now have eight superbly dark and gritty images to go into my new book. Each story gets its own image (Ran read them all before he started drawing) and there's an image to go with Harry's own introduction in the book.
Anyway, at left are two samples (all eight will go on my website shortly): the Harry introduction image, and the one that accompanies the story "A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting".
I love Ran's work and I am thrilled to have his work incorporated into my new book.

Stay tuned for the book launch.

Cheers,
ABP

EXCITED! - Part 1: Cover for my new book - the PI Harry Kenmare short stories.

11/3/2020

Harry Kenmare, PI - At Your Service

I blogged a while ago to announce my next publication project - the collection of Harry Kenmare short stories. The manuscript is still being polished up (final edits), so actual publication is probably 2 months away yet, allowing for printing time.
However, I am HUGELY EXCITED to have just received the final artwork for the cover, and the interior images (see next blog).
So the superb cover work you see to the left has been done by a US designer, J.T. Lindroos. I saw some of his work on the covers of two of Alec Cizak's novels (Breaking Glass and Down on the Street), which have been two of my outstanding crime noir reads in recent times (see my book review blogs).
Anyway, I touched base with JT, and now here is the stellar result of his craft. I am so thrilled with the cover work, and it sets the tone for the Harry stories beautifully. Aside from a gorgeous woman and the jacarandas (if you've read the Harry novels this makes sense - the jacarandas, not the woman, that's obvious!), those of you local to Sydney may well recognize, on the back cover, my local watering hole, the Glebe Hotel (formerly the Australian Youth Hotel), renamed in the books as the Emerald Bar - Harry's local watering hole.
So, there are seven hard-core stories in the collection, and the back cover blurb says it all. If you love Harry, you're in for a serious treat with this lot. Three of the stories have appeared in the sizzlingly dark US magazine, Switchblade, and the other four are previously unpublished, although I did read from one of them in LA last year at the Switchblade authors' evening in June.
Stay tuned for the book launch.

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - Anthology Project

16/2/2020

Into 2020 and it's going to be a big year in this author house!

So, an update on a project I mentioned a bit over a year ago, but which I now want to fire up.

"Anthology in Blue: Cops Writing Crime" (working title only, but it could stick?)

If you follow my blogs and tweets, you'll know about my project "Cops Writing Crime". Starting in 2017, I set out to collect all the crime fiction authors I could find who had served (or are still serving in some cases) as police officers or related law enforcement roles. I've also included a handful of PIs. My interest in this category of crime writer, apart from being one myself, is the sheer realism that I've found in any crime fiction I've read from ex-cops.
Check out The Squad - Also: Cops Writing Crime

As at today (16 February 2020), I've collected 208 members for The Squad, from all over the world (and I've still got a few dozen more names to research). I'm not aware of any similar project on this scale, let alone an anthology dedicated to this cohort of crime fiction writers. Well, I'm going to change that and have a lot of fun in the process.

I'll firm up all the parameters in due course, but I'm keen to hear from members of The Squad who would potentially be interested in contributing.
I won't be able to pay you (this'll be a love project!), but it's an opportunity to have some fresh short story work published in what I think will be a unique collection. I'm intending original print paperback, print-on-demand, and digital versions, and I will send all contributors a couple of original paperback copies.

I'm also keen to have another author (or two) who could be an official co-editor with me (I'm happy to shoulder the work, but a source for second opinions and reality checks would be invaluable).

Looking forward to hearing from you sisters and brothers!

Cheers,
ABP

Bouchercon 2020 - A.B.Patterson will be taking his Aussie hard-boiled noir to the main event!

26/1/2020

Ever since I published my first crime novel back in 2015, I have been looking at the online publicity each year for Bouchercon in the US, and wishing like hell I was going to it. Bouchercon is the leading get together for the crime mystery genre, and its website says thus:
The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which holds an annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor and author.
Well, yesterday I made the decision, took the plunge, and registered for Bouchercon 2020.
In July last year I enjoyed a tremendous author trip to California, I loved the US, and I loved the amazing collegiate feel the crime writing community has over there. You are a great bunch, guys, and thank you so much for welcoming me in.
So, come October, I'll be heading back. Firstly for Bouchercon in Sacramento, but also hoping to be able to join in some crime author evenings in LA again.
And, of course, I'll be making a whole host of new author friends at the conference.
Roll on October!
Cheers,
ABP

PI Harry Kenmare heads for the town of Kenmare in County Kerry!

24/1/2020

Copyright: Above photo from County of Kerry Library website.

PI Harry Kenmare - possibly one of the hardest living private eyes you'll come across in the realms of hard-boiled crime fiction. And he's my main man - a flawed hero who loves women, booze, and tobacco. He loves justice and hates political correctness. And he's no fan of the Establishment. I'm liking him already!

If you've been at any of my public talks as an author, then you may have heard the question asked as to how Harry's name came about - it's been asked a few times.
I chose "Harry" for a good strong first name, and I think it suits this type of detective character well.
As for his surname, "Kenmare", we have to look to Ireland and my own heritage. I have a number of Irish lines in my ancestry. Five generations ago, Mr Patterson came from Belfast to the then colony of New South Wales. But generationally my closest Irish link, and my Irish citizenship source, was a great-grandma who hailed from Kenmare in County Kerry (see the map).
So it occurred to me in a flash one day late last year that Kenmare probably had a town library and how fitting would it be for the Harry Kenmare novels to be right there in the town for the Kenmare residents to enjoy (depending on reading tastes, of course!)
I made contact with the County Kerry Library Service and indeed the good folk at Kenmare Library (pictured at left) were keen for Harry to join their collection.
So today a parcel left Sydney headed for Kenmare with my donated copies to entertain any crime fiction fans in Kenmare.
And since a trip around the Emerald Isle is high on my priority list, at some stage soon I'll hopefully be able to give an author talk to the town of Kenmare.
Cheers,
ABP

2020 - The year ahead for this author.

19/1/2020

And we are off to a New Year - 2020. Happy New Year to you all.
As a kid, saying any year with 20 in front of it suggested science fiction reading. And I always loved that genre as a youngster. Still do, and definitely not young any more!

Alas, the back half of 2019 became inundated with my consulting work (which pays the bills, so can't be ignored!) and my author pursuits suffered somewhat. Anyway, the holiday period is now over and I've had a break to reset and refocus.

So here's the list of my main author projects for the coming year:
1. The manuscript for my collection of Harry short stories is done and in the final stages of editing. The cover work and internal artwork are also in progress. Expect the book, Harry Kenmare, P.I. - At Your Service, around late March.
2. Going to try and pull off the first ever "Noir at the Bar" event for Sydney - just trying to rustle up some local crime authors to join in. Unfortunately I haven't found much sense of a collegiate crime author community here, unlike the wonderful experience I enjoyed in LA last year. However, I'm nothing if not stubborn.
3. The third Harry novel, Harry's Grail, is now well underway. First goal is to have the manuscript finished before the end of the year. If I can also publish before then as well, all the better. But realistically, early 2021.
4. Push on with some more short stories, Harry and others, and hopefully get some published.
5. And push on with a novella project I started way back, The Scent of the Wattle. It's a crime story about paedophiles and corruption, but definitely not Harry. Heavily based on my detective experiences.

Now...time to pull the finger out!

If I can stick to plan, then it's going to be a big 2020 for this author. Hope you'll join me for the ride, or at least parts of it.
Cheers,
ABP

"Harry's Quest" named Finalist in the 8th Beverly Hills Book Awards!

24/11/2019

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Harry's Quest has been named as a Finalist (and, in fact, the runner up) in the Crime category of the 8th Beverly Hills Book Awards out of the USA.

Back in 2016, Harry's World also made Finalist in the same award, so looks like Harry goes down well in Beverly Hills!

Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson on the radio - Link to 2SER interview "Death of the Reader"

18/11/2019

Last month I had the pleasure of meeting Flex and Herds at radio 2SER here in Sydney, joining them for their weekly "Death of the Reader" show.

So, here's the link for that interview: CLICK here.
Or paste this into your browser: https://2ser.com/tales-from-two-pockets-by-karel-capek-part-two/

And they're running a competition on Twitter (see below) to win the Harry novels.

Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson on the radio this evening - "Death of the Reader", on 2SER 107.3FM

6/10/2019

During the week I had the pleasure of joining Flex and Herds for the recording of their show, "Death of the Reader".
We had a great chat about crime writing, including mine.
Here's the link for the show tonight

It's also available on podcast after the show.
Cheers,
ABP

Silver Medal for "Harry's Quest" in the Global Ebook Awards 2019.

20/8/2019

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Harry's Quest picked up the silver medal in the Mystery category of the 2019 Global Ebook Awards out of the USA.

Back in 2016, Harry's World picked up the bronze medal in the same award, so looks like the sequel has stepped it up a notch.

Here's hoping the next novel, Harry's Grail, might take out the gold medal.

Cheers,
ABP

My new book for 2019 - that's the plan!

17/8/2019

This is my publishing project for 2019, given there's no way I'm going to have my third Harry novel, Harry's Grail, finished in time. Too much of that damned paid work eating into my time since we've got back from holidays. Still, that pays the rent, so I won't complain.

But I do already have a number of Harry short stories done and a couple more in progress, so I figured a volume of these stories, with Harry in the first person, would be a great side venture. And Harry is up to all his usual mischief!

The tentative line up:

"Little Rich Street Girl"
"White Powder, Black Leather, Grey Badges"
"Wankers"
"The Missing Lily"
"A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting"
"The Lonely Corpse"
"The Reluctant Bride"

So, if you're a Switchblade fan, you'll recognise the first three, as they've been published in that great magazine.
"Sex Kitten" was the work I read from at the Switchblade authors evening in LA a few weeks back. And the last two are works in progress.
Should be about 40,000 words all up, and I'm aiming to have it out before the end of the year.
And my amateur cover effort at left is NOT the real deal - just my mock up for blogging.

Cheers,
ABP

Bookmarks for pulp lovers - with salacious one-liners from "Harry's Quest"!

16/8/2019

BOOKMARKS from Harry's Quest

Following in the footsteps of Harry's World and its set of red bookmarks, here is the matching set of blue bookmarks to celebrate Harry's Quest.

A custom-made colourful collection of high-quality card bookmarks quoting some of those delicious hard-boiled one-liners from Harry's Quest. What better to accompany you in all your reading travels?!
Adults only, of course: they're naughty!
There are 12 quotes in the collection (see below image), with both the PI silhouette version and the sexy girls silhouette version (think of those twins!). A set of 12 will comprise all the quotes, with 6 PI versions and 6 sexy girl versions. Or if you really want to go hard, you could have the complete batch with 24!

In Australia: 1 x set of 12 goes for just $4.00 (incl. GST & postage).
For overseas: 1 x set of 12 goes for just A$6.00 (incl. airmail postage).
Just drop me a line!

See my new merchandise page: Also: MERCHANDISE

For my author buddies!!!
If you're one of my author buddies (you know who you are from the Twitter universe, the anthology worlds of Switchblade and the like, and my Cops Writing Crime project) then you can have a set for FREE - just DM me with an email address and I'll drop you a line to find where your letterbox is at! Especially as many of you are in North America, my free offer means anywhere at all (except perhaps the International Space Station!). You know how to find me, fellow authors!

Cheers,
ABP

Noir at the Bar Los Angeles - a swell evening!

15/8/2019

Belatedly, I am posting on my fantastic evening at Noir at the Bar Los Angeles. The reason for my tardiness: that horrible distraction called "paid work" has been interfering ever since I got back to Sydney from our wonderful US visit. (And my thoughts on America in another blog shortly).

Noir at the Bar LA on the 7th of July at the Mandrake Bar on La Cienega was a swell evening. It was the 8 year anniversary of the Noir at the Bar events in LA, all arranged by Eric Beetner. Having read some of Eric's work, and seriously enjoyed it, meeting him was a real treat. His passion for the art form was inspirational, and you couldn't ask to meet a more down-to-earth and lovely person. He's also incredibly productive as an author (about 22 books so far), so I'm all up for his habits rubbing off on me.
And then I got to meet all the other authors reading that evening: Glen Erik Hamilton, Michelle Gagnon, Martin Jay Weiss, Wendy Heard, and Paddy Hirsch. I loved their readings and chatting to them during the evening. Getting to read alongside this talented lineup was an honour indeed.
And following only a week after joining the Switchblade authors for the reading evening at Skylight Books, I began to feel really at home in LA.
I will say that the collegiate feeling I had with the other indie crime authors in LA was both awesome and motivating. The encouragement and positivity of my new American friends was wonderful. I'd love to feel that way here - will work on that, and, on that note, I'm organising Noir at the Bar Sydney for the very first time!
Photos at left are of me reading at Noir at the Bar LA, and the first one is of our host, Eric Beetner.
Love your work, Eric, and thank you again for the invitation to join you all for that great evening.

Cheers,
ABP

An essay about me as a crime writer - Mystery Readers Journal.

31/7/2019

Today saw the publication of my essay, "Real Crime to Crime Fiction: An Aussie Ex-Cop Turned Crime Novelist", in the Summer 2019 edition of Mystery Readers Journal.
It contains a good few snippets about my writing motivations, background to my fiction, and some reading preferences. If you want to know a bit more about me as a crime writer, feel free to have a read of the essay. You'll even read about one of the creepier moments I experienced as a detective.
Here is the essay (as an excerpt from the journal) in the file below.
Cheers,
ABP

mrj_article.pdf
File Size:	491 kb
File Type:	pdf

Listen to the podcast of the Switchblade Authors Reading Evening at Skylight Books in Los Angeles

28/7/2019

Today I discovered, with great pleasure, that Skylight Books in Los Angeles has loaded the Switchblade Authors Reading Evening onto their website as a podcast.

So you can listen to the whole evening here:
Switchblade Evening
It's a hell of a collection of hard-boiled and noir crime writing assembled here.
Many thanks again to Switchblade Magazine and its wonderful managing editor, Scotch Rutherford, for organizing the awesome evening.

My reading was an excerpt from an as yet unpublished Harry short story, "A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting".
My segment starts at about 1:08:00 on the counter. But, do listen to all the readings - you'll love the talent I was honoured to line up with.

Cheers,
ABP