Peter James: Novelist and Film Producer: Working Flat Out On The New Roy Grace Novel

Peter's blog

Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Working Flat Out On The New Roy Grace Novel

Apologies for the absence of a new blog post. I am closeted away trying to finish my new Roy Grace novel, "Dead Man's Footsteps", by August 12th and having to put everything else aside in order to write flat out.

I will resume my blog as soon as possible, and also forgive my tardy reply to many of your emails for the same reason, which I hope you can understand - so please forgive me!

posted by Peter James at 10:43 AM 30 comments

Comments:

All is forgiven.....Dead Man's Footsteps, yah can't wait :-)

Linda

By Anonymous, at 7:18 AM

We don't mind in the slightest that the new novel takes predecence over the blog - not in the slightest!!!
Dead Man's Footsteps! Is that the official title?
I can't wait and the BEST news (for me!) is that I'll be back in the UK by the time it's released and shall be at a book signing!!!!

By jo, at 5:49 AM

Good grief I can't spell, I think I was supposed to write precedence...

By jo, at 5:51 AM

Don't worry, Jo, I am hopeless at spelling too! Ten years ago I culdn't even spel orfer, now I are one!

By Peter James, at 9:22 AM

Crikey, I thought you'd treat yourself to a holiday after the last novel or something... not be writing the next one!! Ha ha! No rest for the wicked, eh?

Looking forward to it already!

Andy

By Anonymous, at 10:10 PM

Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
No doubt it will be as entertaining as the last books
Keep up the good work :D

By Dominc, at 12:12 PM

Come on, Peter. Only one book a year! That's just lazy, mate!

If Agatha Christie could get one done in two weeks, six months can't be too much to ask?

By Michael, at 5:26 PM

You slave driver you... do you want quantity or quality????? :-)

By Peter James, at 7:30 PM

"You slave driver you... do you want quantity or quality????? :-) "

BOTH!!!! ;-)

By Dominic, at 10:32 AM

In the words of Dave Gaylor. bound to be a corker!

Best

Stewart

By Anonymous, at 9:41 PM

He'd better say that!!!!

By Peter James, at 10:36 PM

Hey Dominic, if its quantity you want read James Patterson....note I said nothing about quality :-)

LL

By Anonymous, at 10:54 AM

Absolutely! Anonymous,

And on that note, I invite everyone to a sacraficial burning of Mr. Patterson's "novels" ... whoever has been writing them!!!

You know that feeling when you've eaten to much junk food at McDonalds and you look up and see you've still got more to eat?
Well, I've still got four more of the bloody things waiting to be read on my shelf!

As well as being a vegatarian, I am now a Pattersonarian. Yeeck!

Maybe their being typed out by some demon, some dark, supernatural conspiracy to turn people's mind to mushy-goo? The Patterson face is obviously just a human-mask and beneath...something...hidious...

Now that sounds like a good Peter James Supernatural', if you ever decide to try them again...

By Michael, at 11:01 PM

"Only one book a year?" ~ but how many authors do you know who would take up valuable writing/family time blogging and giving his public a valuable insight into the life of the writer and taking the time to personally answer emails on this scale.

PJ: Hope you get a chance to take a break and refresh the batteries. Sorry that we, your public, had you slogging away on the few nice days of the year.

By Anonymous, at 9:34 PM

Thanks for such kind words, and generous understanding!

All very best

Peter

By Peter James, at 3:55 PM

Found Looking Good Dead in a charity shop for £2.00, where we go for our holiday reads...both of us were totally engrossed in the book. Sorry to admit we had not heard of you before but we are fans of PD James, Minette Walters so knew by the blurb, we would love your book even though it is a lot darker. Looking forward to catching up with the other Roy Grace novels and discovering your other books. Can't wait for the series and totally agree with your decision to have an unknown actor make the part his own.

By Iggsy, at 9:05 PM

oops ...sorry if I offended you re charity shop, Peter...promise to buy the next one at full price lol

By iggsy, at 9:16 PM

No offence at all! I'm always curious how new readers come to my work and this is a great one! The charity benefits from the sale and I benefit from getting a wonderfully enthusiastic new reader - who takes the time and trouble to write as well!

All very best

Peter

By Peter James, at 8:48 AM

Thanks, Jo!

By Peter James, at 8:49 AM

Hi Michael

Love your comments about the Patterson books!!! Not that I would want to slag off a fellow writer, but when an author turns his name into a brand name and co-writes, or in some cases, doesn't even write them at all (Jordan?) Shirley Conran (Lace 2 - which was written by Celia Brayfield) I think that is just plain conning the public.

Best

Peter

By Peter James, at 9:04 AM

Hi Peter, I dont know if you have said yet but when do you think the next edition of the Roy Grace series will be released? Also without revealing to much will there be more to the series after the next one or will you end on a high? Not that I am criticisng your writting as I would not want to do that as I love your books but I find that after several series authours find themselves trapped as they have to stick to the character of the books before as anything new would be out of the ordinary. As much as I love the roy Grace books I am thinking that it can not go on for that much longer like for example the Harry Potter books what got somewhat predictable towards the end of the series

By Heidi, at 9:48 AM

Hi Peter,

I think that Iggsy must frequent a very up-market, charity shop. I, also, have to admit that my 3 Peter James books cost me £1-50 each from various charity shops. I do apologise that you will not get the royalties on these but it is the only way that a poor OAP like little old me can afford to read your gripping novels. I am so glad that I discovered you on the pages of TNES in The Real Me and will now go on a hunt to get hold of as many of your books as I can.

By Diana E.Backhouse, at 9:41 PM

Hi Diana - I'm always delighted to have a reader who enjoys my work - that is the most important thing - and it is great to know some of my books are getting recycled throught charity shops and finding new readers, rather than sitting on shelves, forgotten!

Hi Heidi

Thanks for your above comments. The next Roy Grace "Dead Man's Footsteps" will be published in June 2008. I haven't yet decided how many I will write - I don't know if I will match the 20 of Rebus. It varies so much for each writer - Conan Doyle only wrote four Sherlock Holmes novels. For me the deciding point will be a combination of whether I am enjoying writing the Roy Grace book and more importantly, whether my readers enjoy them. At the moment I am loving writing this series more than anything I have ever written before.

All best.

Peter

By Peter James, at 9:12 AM

Its great that you love to write the series. I can see it reflected in your work. Don't get me wrong the series are great reads. The only thing I was worried about is that you could take it on for that one book to far, and like most series they are always rememberred for that one bad book and I dont want that to happen as I have really enjoyed the adventures of Roy Grace.
I doubt that the readers will stop reading your books. The feedback you have had on this blog alone has been great.
I also really apreciate you replying to my message. I feel its a really nice (I hate using that word, but its the only one that really fits!!) that you get in touch with your readers.
Out of interest, what inspired you to create Roy Grace? Is he based of anybody you know?

All the best
Heidi

By Heidi, at 10:31 AM

We will always love your books! Have no fear, Roy Grace is part of our fictional world forever.

.. and I hope I have remembered correctly, but shouldn't you be taking some time out today to celebrate your birthday?
If so HAPPY BIRTHDAY and have a wonderful day!

Jo

By jo, at 4:04 AM

..oh and that's for August 22nd !!!

By jo, at 4:05 AM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OFO - I'VE MISSED YOU ... HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU WHEN YOU ARE BACK IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING! TAKE CARE - CNOE X

By Anonymous, at 9:13 AM

Hi Heidi

Yes, Roy Grace is based very loosely on former Chief Superintendent David Gaylor of Sussex CID. I was lucky enough to shadow David for many weeks over several years, during which he rose from Detective Inspector to Detective Superintendent. His office is Roy Grace’s office, and one of his areas of specialization was cold cases – also shared by Grace. But there the similarity ends – David is happily married and has no particular interest in the occult – although he is very open minded. But it is fantastically helpful to have a real human being a role model - and I run by everything that Roy does with him.

All best

By Peter James, at 4:07 PM

Hi Peter,

>>I was lucky enough to shadow David for many weeks over several years, during which he rose from Detective Inspector to Detective Superintendent.

I hope he knew about this!

Joking aside, I just want to say a belated thank you and great to meet you at the Snodland festival earlier this year. My girlfriend and I had a really nice time. Although she's not a fan of crime fiction she enjoyed your talk very much, Peter. And swooned when she saw your car in the car park.

And if you recall, how odd you should recognise me from a pair of red shoes I hadn't told you about (I did check the previous thread, and no, I didn't mention them!).

Again, thanks for your time and generosity.

Best,

Mark

By Mark, at 7:28 PM

Hi Mark - can always tell a man of distinction by his red shoes!!!

I didn't realize you had shadowed Dave - he is such a great guy. I will ask him if he knew about this shadow.... :-)

And it was great to meet you both - I thought the audience at Snodland was quite delightful, one of the nicest groups of people I've ever had the privilege of addressing.

All very best to you both. And to the shoes!!!!!

By Peter James, at 9:30 AM