Mes Amis
Rock on those lovely folks at The Big Issue, especially Doug Johnstone, for the recent (and wonderful) review of THE LOST SISTER.
Its a short 'un, but good, and to set up the context, it follows on from a review of a poetry collection:
"...Not poetic, but certainly compelling is THE LOST SISTER by Russel D McLean. Set in Dundee, its a hard-boiled and heavily stylised crime-noir tale, the followup to the author's debut. THE GOOD SON. Once more we journey with private eye McNee as he trudges through the underbelly of the City of Discovery, in an assured and uncompromising tale to whet the appetite of hardcore crime fans."
Oh, yes. I'm liking that. Especially the "assured and uncompromising" bit.
And the word "compelling," too.
Anyway, I am returning to the bactcave for a while to work on some terrible secret projects. I am behind with correspondence, so anyone expecting to hear from me... I will be with you asap!
Au revoir
Russel
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
"I can barely remember what I wrote in this one"
Mes Amis
Not quite the same as being there, but with thanks to my Dad, a couple of clips of the launch of THE LOST SISTER now exist online. There was apparently a third clip but its been deleted by an act of God (or a wrong button pressed - only you can decide!).
Anyway, here I am about to try and read from the opening of the book when a couple of heckles and an unexpected intruder put pay to my plans:
And here I am finally getting back into order and reading the prologue of the novel.
Of course, there was far more than that going on, but as you can see I got at least one decent laugh out of the evening and that's all that counts.
Its also worth noting that THE LOST SISTER made it into the Scottish Interest Charts from Waterstones at #8 this week (as seen in this week's wondrous Glasgow Herald), one behind that master of mirth Christopher Broookmyre (SNOWBALL IN HELL is great fun!), several more behind that rapscallion Stuart MacBride (if you ain't read HALFHEAD, do it NOW! - after reading THE LOST SISTER, obviously) but frighteningly, one place ahead of Literary Genius Iain Banks (I haven't read TRANSITION yet, but its on me list!) ! Of course, with your help perhaps we can make it two weeks before I drop out of the charts altogether. So go ahead, purchase away my legions - - let us make this the Age of the Russel - free beards for all!
Right... now to go and catch up on stuff what I should have done ages ago...
Au revoir
Russel
Not quite the same as being there, but with thanks to my Dad, a couple of clips of the launch of THE LOST SISTER now exist online. There was apparently a third clip but its been deleted by an act of God (or a wrong button pressed - only you can decide!).
Anyway, here I am about to try and read from the opening of the book when a couple of heckles and an unexpected intruder put pay to my plans:
And here I am finally getting back into order and reading the prologue of the novel.
Of course, there was far more than that going on, but as you can see I got at least one decent laugh out of the evening and that's all that counts.
Its also worth noting that THE LOST SISTER made it into the Scottish Interest Charts from Waterstones at #8 this week (as seen in this week's wondrous Glasgow Herald), one behind that master of mirth Christopher Broookmyre (SNOWBALL IN HELL is great fun!), several more behind that rapscallion Stuart MacBride (if you ain't read HALFHEAD, do it NOW! - after reading THE LOST SISTER, obviously) but frighteningly, one place ahead of Literary Genius Iain Banks (I haven't read TRANSITION yet, but its on me list!) ! Of course, with your help perhaps we can make it two weeks before I drop out of the charts altogether. So go ahead, purchase away my legions - - let us make this the Age of the Russel - free beards for all!
Right... now to go and catch up on stuff what I should have done ages ago...
Au revoir
Russel
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Lost and Found
Mes Amis
Huge, incredibly grateful thanks to all of you who showed up for the launch of THE LOST SISTER on Thursday night (and if anyone can confirm rumours that the launch was mentioned on STV the next day, please tell me). With incredibly grateful thanks to the wondrous staff at Drouthy's bar on the Perth Road for opening their vaults to our madness. The event went very well indeed and with enormous thanks to my big, bad boss Gordon Dow for introducing the whole shebang and Scotsman journalist Dave Lewis for providing insightful questions (and, apparently, eye candy for the ladies - - as if I wasn't enough, eh? Eh?)
Sales were nice and everyone enjoyed the bar afterwards. And, no, that wasn't a pint of vodka I was drinking during the interview - it was actually water. I saved the beer till later.
Anyway, here's some photos for those of you who weren't there, and if you want an unbiased view of the event (and a competition to win the book if you can guess my food allergy - the pun is in the question) go visit the wonderful Donna Moore post haste.
Let's start with me and Dave up in the pulpit...
And then the crowds in one one half of the bar (the room was a funny shape so there are more folks out of shot, many of them standing near the stairs where apparently you could only hear the "short, funny looking one with the loud voice")
And here's some of me signing, too, afterwards.
And finally - a celebratory pint: I survived!
So there we have it. A whole evening encapsulated in a few photographs. As ever, thanks to those who showed up, my agent Al Guthrie for all his efforts in getting me here, my UK publishers, Five Leaves Publications for getting the book out to the world and Dave Lewis for agreeing to do the interview.
And of course all those booksellers who made book #2 a viable proposition! You guys have a harder job than most people realise...
And now, mes amis, I'm going to go and sleep...
Au revoir
Russel
Huge, incredibly grateful thanks to all of you who showed up for the launch of THE LOST SISTER on Thursday night (and if anyone can confirm rumours that the launch was mentioned on STV the next day, please tell me). With incredibly grateful thanks to the wondrous staff at Drouthy's bar on the Perth Road for opening their vaults to our madness. The event went very well indeed and with enormous thanks to my big, bad boss Gordon Dow for introducing the whole shebang and Scotsman journalist Dave Lewis for providing insightful questions (and, apparently, eye candy for the ladies - - as if I wasn't enough, eh? Eh?)
Sales were nice and everyone enjoyed the bar afterwards. And, no, that wasn't a pint of vodka I was drinking during the interview - it was actually water. I saved the beer till later.
Anyway, here's some photos for those of you who weren't there, and if you want an unbiased view of the event (and a competition to win the book if you can guess my food allergy - the pun is in the question) go visit the wonderful Donna Moore post haste.
Let's start with me and Dave up in the pulpit...
And then the crowds in one one half of the bar (the room was a funny shape so there are more folks out of shot, many of them standing near the stairs where apparently you could only hear the "short, funny looking one with the loud voice")
And here's some of me signing, too, afterwards.
And finally - a celebratory pint: I survived!
So there we have it. A whole evening encapsulated in a few photographs. As ever, thanks to those who showed up, my agent Al Guthrie for all his efforts in getting me here, my UK publishers, Five Leaves Publications for getting the book out to the world and Dave Lewis for agreeing to do the interview.
And of course all those booksellers who made book #2 a viable proposition! You guys have a harder job than most people realise...
And now, mes amis, I'm going to go and sleep...
Au revoir
Russel
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Release the beast!
Mes Amis
How time flies, eh? It seems less than a year ago that THE GOOD SON was unleashed upon the world and now... well, THE LOST SISTER has arrived as well. Yes, although some shops have had it in stock today is the official release date for PI J McNee's second case, and this time, well, let's say that things are going to get pretty deadly for our man McNee.
If you want more info check out this interview conducted by thriller writer Derek Gunn for the ITW.
Or this discussion of the modern UK PI with Jay Stringer and Ray "Dirty, hard and fast" Banks over at Do Some Damage.
You might also be interested to know that Library Journal has weighed in on the US release of THE GOOD SON with a lovely wee starred review that runs:
J. McNee, a police detective–turned–private investigator, is just existing in Dundee, Scotland, as he avoids the truth about his wife’s fatal car crash for which her family blames him. When a local farmer asks him to determine why his estranged brother hanged himself, McNee goes up against his former mates in the force and must come to grips with his own life. In this impressive first novel, McNee is a down-and-out failure in the mold of Ken Bruen’s sleuths, but he overcomes the case’s complexities, the lack of respect for his profession, and his own personal hang-ups to triumph in the end. Verdict With a great blurb from John Connolly, this newest addition to the Scottish noir tradition will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin and Stuart McBride as well as readers of Jim Kelly.
And yes, I did notice two tiny errors - number one, Its McNee's fiancee who died in the crash and number two, the Abdernonian rapscallion mentioned at the end is a "Mac" not a "Mc". All that aside, of course, its a bloody nice review and fills me with confidence for the stateside release of this novel.
Speaking of Stateside I am not attending this year's Bouchercon in Indy due to cashflow reasons, but have plans to attend next year's soiree in San Francisco and maybe some more interesting ideas up my sleeve as well... stay tuned!
Au revoir
Russel
How time flies, eh? It seems less than a year ago that THE GOOD SON was unleashed upon the world and now... well, THE LOST SISTER has arrived as well. Yes, although some shops have had it in stock today is the official release date for PI J McNee's second case, and this time, well, let's say that things are going to get pretty deadly for our man McNee.
If you want more info check out this interview conducted by thriller writer Derek Gunn for the ITW.
Or this discussion of the modern UK PI with Jay Stringer and Ray "Dirty, hard and fast" Banks over at Do Some Damage.
You might also be interested to know that Library Journal has weighed in on the US release of THE GOOD SON with a lovely wee starred review that runs:
J. McNee, a police detective–turned–private investigator, is just existing in Dundee, Scotland, as he avoids the truth about his wife’s fatal car crash for which her family blames him. When a local farmer asks him to determine why his estranged brother hanged himself, McNee goes up against his former mates in the force and must come to grips with his own life. In this impressive first novel, McNee is a down-and-out failure in the mold of Ken Bruen’s sleuths, but he overcomes the case’s complexities, the lack of respect for his profession, and his own personal hang-ups to triumph in the end. Verdict With a great blurb from John Connolly, this newest addition to the Scottish noir tradition will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin and Stuart McBride as well as readers of Jim Kelly.
And yes, I did notice two tiny errors - number one, Its McNee's fiancee who died in the crash and number two, the Abdernonian rapscallion mentioned at the end is a "Mac" not a "Mc". All that aside, of course, its a bloody nice review and fills me with confidence for the stateside release of this novel.
Speaking of Stateside I am not attending this year's Bouchercon in Indy due to cashflow reasons, but have plans to attend next year's soiree in San Francisco and maybe some more interesting ideas up my sleeve as well... stay tuned!
Au revoir
Russel
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
They're heeeeere...
Mes Amis
Its a bouncing baby book! Yes, author copies of THE LOST SISTER are here and thus, let me share with you...
Its a book in a box!
Its a book on the floor!
And, yes, I'm fairly sure these two siblings aren't going to start arguing and trying to get each other in trouble all the time.
The detial in the photos isn't fab, but close up that cover to THE LOST SISTER is very nice indeed... the view across the Tay Bridge to Dundee is nice and sinister and the blood red waters if the river itself are rather intimidating...
Au revoir
Russel
Its a bouncing baby book! Yes, author copies of THE LOST SISTER are here and thus, let me share with you...
Its a book in a box!
Its a book on the floor!
And, yes, I'm fairly sure these two siblings aren't going to start arguing and trying to get each other in trouble all the time.
The detial in the photos isn't fab, but close up that cover to THE LOST SISTER is very nice indeed... the view across the Tay Bridge to Dundee is nice and sinister and the blood red waters if the river itself are rather intimidating...
Au revoir
Russel
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Open for business
Mes Amis
Last year Russeldmclean.com opened for business. Unfortunately we were hit by a particularly malicious bunch of spammers who took over the site for their own ends. The results weren't particularly nice, and worse, were hard to get rid of. Of course, it says something about how it doesn't matter who you are to these guys when we note that Tayside Police also recently had some problems of their own. I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies. Having endured Frankie Boyle's live show last time he came to Dundee (thankfully the tickets I got were free), I go into shell shock every time I see his self-satisfied mug.
Anyway, in response to the attacks, I took down any and all links to the site until things could be sorted. But now the links are restored, and we're back up and running again with all new and improved content at www.russeldmclean.com.
Au revoir
Russel
Last year Russeldmclean.com opened for business. Unfortunately we were hit by a particularly malicious bunch of spammers who took over the site for their own ends. The results weren't particularly nice, and worse, were hard to get rid of. Of course, it says something about how it doesn't matter who you are to these guys when we note that Tayside Police also recently had some problems of their own. I suppose I should be thankful for small mercies. Having endured Frankie Boyle's live show last time he came to Dundee (thankfully the tickets I got were free), I go into shell shock every time I see his self-satisfied mug.
Anyway, in response to the attacks, I took down any and all links to the site until things could be sorted. But now the links are restored, and we're back up and running again with all new and improved content at www.russeldmclean.com.
Au revoir
Russel
Monday, September 07, 2009
A brief commercial break
Mes Amis
Last year I wrote a short story for the yearly anthology, NEW WRITING DUNDEE, a modestly price £5 collection edited by those fine folks at Literary Dundee. The story itself was probably the pulpiest in the collection, concerning an aging hitman, a sackload of guilt and a morally ambiguous favour for a friend.
Now, it seems, the floodgates are open once more more and the the brilliantly talented editors are looking for more submissions. Quoth the submission monkeys:
We now return to the usual ramblings...
Au revoir
Russel
Last year I wrote a short story for the yearly anthology, NEW WRITING DUNDEE, a modestly price £5 collection edited by those fine folks at Literary Dundee. The story itself was probably the pulpiest in the collection, concerning an aging hitman, a sackload of guilt and a morally ambiguous favour for a friend.
Now, it seems, the floodgates are open once more more and the the brilliantly talented editors are looking for more submissions. Quoth the submission monkeys:
New Writing Dundee
New Writing Dundee is a literary anthology featuring both new authors and invited published artists. Celebrating its fifth year, this book is a Dundee community based project with an international reputation. The last two issues have gone through two print runs and have held its own event at the Dundee Literary Festival.
For the 2010 issue we are seeking submissions from the general public. The book is open to all styles, genres, themes and nationalities. Send in your prose, poetry, essays, drama and creative non-fiction by 1 November, 2009. For more information go to http://www.literarydundee.co.uk/newwriting.htm.
Not only that, but I'm also told that the submissions for the Dundee Book Award are open again. Won this year by the lovely Chris Longmuir for her crime debut, DEAD WOOD. Quoth the prize monkeys:
Dundee International Book Prize
Submissions of a full-length unpublished novels are now being accepted for The Dundee International Book Prize. Running into its 6th year, its £10,000 cash award together with publication, make The Dundee International Book Prize highly valued by tomorrow's great new writers seeking to break into the publishing world.
The first four Dundee Book Prize winning novels have all gone on to have success. The authors have also gone on to produce further works of fiction and non-fiction. Andrew Murray Scott's book Tumulus detailed bohemian Dundee through the 60s and 70s to the present day. The winning novel in 2002, Claire-Marie Watson's The Curewife drew on the tale of Dundee's last execution of a witch - Grissel Jaffray in 1669 and the winner in 2005 was Malcolm Archibald's adventure on a whaling ship Whales for a Wizard. 2007 saw French resident Fiona Dunscombe scoop the accolade with her gritty, dark and full of life novel The Triple Point of Water .
The novel must be in English but can be of any theme or genre, and the competition is open to the general public of any nationality. For submissions guidelines please go to: www.dundeebookprize.com or contact literarydundee@gmail.com for more information.
The Dundee International Book Prize is a joint venture between the City of Discovery Campaign, the University of Dundee and Birlinn Ltd, publishers of the Polygon imprint.
We now return to the usual ramblings...
Au revoir
Russel
Friday, September 04, 2009
Assorted nonsense
Mes Amis
More at DO SOME DAMAGE these last couple of weeks as I talk about my formative experiences as a writer and why I love my agent (even if does beat me about the head with a baseball bat every time I make a mistake).
I'm not abandoning this blog, as some of you have been concerned, but with other things taking up my time and the commitment to DSD being weeklug, I have been quieter than usual preparing to take over the world with THE LOST SISTER in October and the US release of THE GOOD SON in October.
Which allows to segue nicely into these very nice words from CWA Short story dagger winner (among numerous other well deserved wins within the publishing world) Sean Chercover:
"Russel D. McLean flat-out rocks the house with this outstanding debut. Taut, tough, and profoundly touching, THE GOOD SON signals the start of a big career. I loved this book, can't wait for the next one."
And now, I must go, mes amis, deflate my ego and finish book #3.
Au revoir
Russel
More at DO SOME DAMAGE these last couple of weeks as I talk about my formative experiences as a writer and why I love my agent (even if does beat me about the head with a baseball bat every time I make a mistake).
I'm not abandoning this blog, as some of you have been concerned, but with other things taking up my time and the commitment to DSD being weeklug, I have been quieter than usual preparing to take over the world with THE LOST SISTER in October and the US release of THE GOOD SON in October.
Which allows to segue nicely into these very nice words from CWA Short story dagger winner (among numerous other well deserved wins within the publishing world) Sean Chercover:
"Russel D. McLean flat-out rocks the house with this outstanding debut. Taut, tough, and profoundly touching, THE GOOD SON signals the start of a big career. I loved this book, can't wait for the next one."
And now, I must go, mes amis, deflate my ego and finish book #3.
Au revoir
Russel
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pulling back the veil
Mes Amis
After several design changes, and some long discussions, Five Leaves Publications and your humble author present the cover for the UK edition of THE LOST SISTER.
Au revoir
Russel
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Quiet... but not for long...
Mes Amis
If you've missed the last couple of weeks over on DO SOME DAMAGE, why not go over and check out my rant on swearing and what I think about Christopher Brookmyre subtly switching genres.
Be assured, of course, I'm not abandoning this place, either. But I have been holed away doing edits on THE LOST SISTER so that everything is hunky dory for release in October. Yes, October! A new cover will be available soon (oooo!) and then we'll be rocking.
In the meantime, go over to Suite 101 and see what I had to say about my mysterious writing habits. And maybe think about coming to Dundee on 24 September where I will be talking with top selling true crime writer Alexander McGregor as he prepares to unleash an updated version of the bestelling THE LAW KILLERS upon the world. Fact, fiction and everything in between will be being talked about at 7pm on 24 September at the Tower Building at the university of Dundee, and tickets can be bought from Waterstones, 35 commercial street, Dundee for the incredibly reasonable sum of £3. Call 01382 200322 (during business hours, naturally) and talk to those wonderful Waterstones booksellers for more details or to reserve tickets.
Anyway, I'm slinking back to the dungeon so I can continue my terrible experiments. Until next time, friends,
Au revoir
Russel
If you've missed the last couple of weeks over on DO SOME DAMAGE, why not go over and check out my rant on swearing and what I think about Christopher Brookmyre subtly switching genres.
Be assured, of course, I'm not abandoning this place, either. But I have been holed away doing edits on THE LOST SISTER so that everything is hunky dory for release in October. Yes, October! A new cover will be available soon (oooo!) and then we'll be rocking.
In the meantime, go over to Suite 101 and see what I had to say about my mysterious writing habits. And maybe think about coming to Dundee on 24 September where I will be talking with top selling true crime writer Alexander McGregor as he prepares to unleash an updated version of the bestelling THE LAW KILLERS upon the world. Fact, fiction and everything in between will be being talked about at 7pm on 24 September at the Tower Building at the university of Dundee, and tickets can be bought from Waterstones, 35 commercial street, Dundee for the incredibly reasonable sum of £3. Call 01382 200322 (during business hours, naturally) and talk to those wonderful Waterstones booksellers for more details or to reserve tickets.
Anyway, I'm slinking back to the dungeon so I can continue my terrible experiments. Until next time, friends,
Au revoir
Russel
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