I am working towards my books being on Kindle etc but in the meantime if anyone would like to read my books off a screen I can send the whole text by pdf. Titles available: Emily's Hour, Magdalena's Redemption, Olympic Nemesis and Flanagan's Legacy. For a fee of £4 I can send any of these titles online.
I am making a special sales drive for Olympic Nemesis in 2012. So you may see me in bookshops all around the south coast this summer.
To all my readers I wish you a very happy new year.
Thursday 29 December 2011
Monday 19 September 2011
Flanagan's Legacy
My latest novel Flanagan's Legacy is now up and running and well received. We've had a great launch party at One Tree Books and I've done one further signing of all my titles at Waterstone's in Chichester. Nice shop and nice people running it. Flangan's Legacy is a mystery thriller based around a seventy-year-old conspiracy. It is as far as I can find out a wholly original plot but it could be summed up as Dan Brown meets the Thirty Nine Steps.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Benham's Sea Mysteries latest. Launch at Selsey and Chichester
On August 9th I will be giving a first outing to my latest novel Flanagan's Legacy. This will be at the Selsey, Meet the Authors held in the church hall Selsey from 2-4pm. This is an integral part of the Selsey arts week.
later in September will be the offcial launch in One tree Books Petersfield.
On Saturday September 17th I will be promoting Olympic Nemesis at Waterstone's branch in Chichester. Olympic Nemesis is as you will guess centred around an Olympic sailing regatta. Emily the teenage abduction victim from Emily's Hour is now seven years on a law graduate and a member of a three girl match racing team. Emily's father, former medal winner Steve has a stroke. He makes his family's life a misery until they take him to Branham Lake (Frensham Pond)and put him in a Paralympic 2.4 mini keelboat.It is a life changing experience that takes him all the way to the Paralympic sailing games at the age of seventy. This unlucky family are never free of trouble and when both Emily and Steve are sailing in their respective teams they find themselves in danger. This is partly because the games are in the volatile but corrupt South American country of Olifa. Olifa was created by the late John Buchan, perhaps our greatest thriller writer. The first half of the book is qualifying for the Olympics,with racing in New Zealand, on the Mediterranean, in Italy and Israel Emily has a turbulant relationship with Tom her fiance and lover who we last met as Tommy the ten-year-old in Flanagan's Legacy. There is danger and humour. Emily and her team lodge in the Olympic village with the UK Badminton doubles pair the exhuberant Essex girls, Sherrie and Saffron from Southend, or as Sherrie says "Sairfaind". This comic duo play a part in thwarting the conspiracy that threatens Emily, Tom, and Steve. Olympic Nemesis has tension, emotion humour and vivid descriptions of yacht racing. I believe whether you are a boat person of not you will be carried along with the characters and the story.
later in September will be the offcial launch in One tree Books Petersfield.
On Saturday September 17th I will be promoting Olympic Nemesis at Waterstone's branch in Chichester. Olympic Nemesis is as you will guess centred around an Olympic sailing regatta. Emily the teenage abduction victim from Emily's Hour is now seven years on a law graduate and a member of a three girl match racing team. Emily's father, former medal winner Steve has a stroke. He makes his family's life a misery until they take him to Branham Lake (Frensham Pond)and put him in a Paralympic 2.4 mini keelboat.It is a life changing experience that takes him all the way to the Paralympic sailing games at the age of seventy. This unlucky family are never free of trouble and when both Emily and Steve are sailing in their respective teams they find themselves in danger. This is partly because the games are in the volatile but corrupt South American country of Olifa. Olifa was created by the late John Buchan, perhaps our greatest thriller writer. The first half of the book is qualifying for the Olympics,with racing in New Zealand, on the Mediterranean, in Italy and Israel Emily has a turbulant relationship with Tom her fiance and lover who we last met as Tommy the ten-year-old in Flanagan's Legacy. There is danger and humour. Emily and her team lodge in the Olympic village with the UK Badminton doubles pair the exhuberant Essex girls, Sherrie and Saffron from Southend, or as Sherrie says "Sairfaind". This comic duo play a part in thwarting the conspiracy that threatens Emily, Tom, and Steve. Olympic Nemesis has tension, emotion humour and vivid descriptions of yacht racing. I believe whether you are a boat person of not you will be carried along with the characters and the story.
Saturday 25 June 2011
Farnham book signing
Today Saturday 25th June was my book signing in Farnham Waterstone's.
Incredibly I sold out of three of my five titles. You have to work hard on these occasions and it pays to tell everyone you grab that you are a brilliant author. They can make their own minds up as to that after they've bought a book. But you get to meet some interesting people and some bloody minded and rude ones as well. Female readers are easier to sell to, their other halves tend to tell you they "never read books", or have to ask the wife for permission to buy.
It was a lovely afternoon outside the shop and carnival day which reduced the number of buyers but as I nearly sold out I cannot grumble.
Now it's off to another selling date in Chichester. Watch this site.
My new novel Flanagan's legacy is now in the hands of the printers and we await the proof copy. I hope to launch it in August at the Selsey book fair and then have my big launch in Petersfield One Tree in September.
Incredibly I sold out of three of my five titles. You have to work hard on these occasions and it pays to tell everyone you grab that you are a brilliant author. They can make their own minds up as to that after they've bought a book. But you get to meet some interesting people and some bloody minded and rude ones as well. Female readers are easier to sell to, their other halves tend to tell you they "never read books", or have to ask the wife for permission to buy.
It was a lovely afternoon outside the shop and carnival day which reduced the number of buyers but as I nearly sold out I cannot grumble.
Now it's off to another selling date in Chichester. Watch this site.
My new novel Flanagan's legacy is now in the hands of the printers and we await the proof copy. I hope to launch it in August at the Selsey book fair and then have my big launch in Petersfield One Tree in September.
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Signing at Farnham
We had a great day out at Waterstone's in Alton. Thank you all my friends who supported me on the day. A glorious sunny day,with live music in the street and hundreds of people in their summer holiday gear. So it was hardly surprising that numbers coming into the bookshop were down. However we sold thirteen books of all my titles so I can't complain and the shop was happy.
On Saturday 25th June we move to Farnham Waterstone and this time I will be giving £1 per title sold to Farnham Disabled Sports Assn or FSAD. Olympic Nemesis has strong links to Frensham Sailability. Branham lake that first appeared in Emily's Hour is Frensham and several Frensham members have walk on parts in Olympic Nemesis. We follow once again Emily's dad Steve when he has a stroke. He recovers but makes his family's life a misery until they put him in a 2.4 racing boat on Branham Lake. Steve has a life changing experience that day similar to so many that we at Frensham have witnessed. It inspires Steve to aim for the Paralympics. More of the plot I will not give away, only that there is a juicy conspiracy, lots of racing boats and boy girl stuff all coming together in a dodgy South American country.
FLANAGAN'S LEGACY.
This year's book, Flanagan's Legacy, is nearly ready for the printer. The novel has a cracking cover designed by Guy Nicholson. We hope to have the first print run in time for the Selsea book fair with the formal launch in September.
On Saturday 25th June we move to Farnham Waterstone and this time I will be giving £1 per title sold to Farnham Disabled Sports Assn or FSAD. Olympic Nemesis has strong links to Frensham Sailability. Branham lake that first appeared in Emily's Hour is Frensham and several Frensham members have walk on parts in Olympic Nemesis. We follow once again Emily's dad Steve when he has a stroke. He recovers but makes his family's life a misery until they put him in a 2.4 racing boat on Branham Lake. Steve has a life changing experience that day similar to so many that we at Frensham have witnessed. It inspires Steve to aim for the Paralympics. More of the plot I will not give away, only that there is a juicy conspiracy, lots of racing boats and boy girl stuff all coming together in a dodgy South American country.
FLANAGAN'S LEGACY.
This year's book, Flanagan's Legacy, is nearly ready for the printer. The novel has a cracking cover designed by Guy Nicholson. We hope to have the first print run in time for the Selsea book fair with the formal launch in September.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
book sales promotion
I'm looking forward to my first book signing session of the summer at Waterstone's bookshop in Alton Hampshire. This is Jim's first time trying to wow the great British public. Then it's on to more signings in Farnham and then we hope Chichester and all points south. I have to thank Waterstone's who have been helpful with advice on how to develop my book covers. Their head office was not happy with my early versions and I think they have a point. I will take their advice. I cannot say the same for the boat book catalogue who sent my promotional material back unopened and unread with a contemptuous, dismissive rejection. When my next book is a world best seller they will not be alowed to touch a single copy.
The latest book Flanagan's Legacy is now being typset ready for the printer and has a cracking good cover by top designer Guy Nicholson. It has a controversial plot, but it is a tale of menace, conspiracy, love and romance with a big dose of offshore sailing.
The latest book Flanagan's Legacy is now being typset ready for the printer and has a cracking good cover by top designer Guy Nicholson. It has a controversial plot, but it is a tale of menace, conspiracy, love and romance with a big dose of offshore sailing.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
Book Promotion 4th June
My next book signing is in Alton Waterstone on 4th June.
My two titles The Nemsis File and Olympic Nemesis have strong connections with Alton and scenes take place in the town and in the countryside around. I like to connect with a charity on these occasions and in this case I have linked with Treloar school and college for the young disabled. A main theme in Olympic Nemesis is the inspiration that competitve sport can have with the disabled, in this case Paralympic sailing. If anyone reading this is near Alton on that day please come into Waterstone's shop in the High street. I will give a donation to Treloar college for every title sold that day.
My two titles The Nemsis File and Olympic Nemesis have strong connections with Alton and scenes take place in the town and in the countryside around. I like to connect with a charity on these occasions and in this case I have linked with Treloar school and college for the young disabled. A main theme in Olympic Nemesis is the inspiration that competitve sport can have with the disabled, in this case Paralympic sailing. If anyone reading this is near Alton on that day please come into Waterstone's shop in the High street. I will give a donation to Treloar college for every title sold that day.
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Summer book promotion
Jim's summer holiday book promotion kicks off at Waterstone's Bookshop in Alton Hants on the 4th June.
All the titles will be on show especially Olympic Nemesis the Olympic sailing thriller. The books are all fast moving mystery thrillers with good guys and bad guys, lots of boats floating around and a bit of the boy/girl stuff. There's nothign too boat technical and there are good story lines to keep you amused as you sit in the sun or dodge the rain here back home.
All the titles will be on show especially Olympic Nemesis the Olympic sailing thriller. The books are all fast moving mystery thrillers with good guys and bad guys, lots of boats floating around and a bit of the boy/girl stuff. There's nothign too boat technical and there are good story lines to keep you amused as you sit in the sun or dodge the rain here back home.
Friday 28 January 2011
New book last lap
The best thing, or I suppose the only thing about this horrible weather is that I'm stuck indoors with no choice but to get on and write. The new book is now called "Tangled Retribution" unless I find there is another title out there the same or similar. Once again Emily and husband Tom are involved in tragic events beyond their control. How unlucky are this pair. Four unrelated brutal murders and it seems there's a crazy phycho on the loose. Is Emily a target? The scene ranges from Hampshire to London docklands via Zurich and Melbourne Australia. Journalist detective Dave Manning is two jumps ahead of the police but will he arrive in time to save Emily and her baby? I'm on the last lap with this novel nearly all written during January this year. But it's shorter than my other books at around 50 000 words. Then comes the hard bit. Re-reading, correcting and improving.
Monday 24 January 2011
Book in progress
I'm now 35000 words into my new project. It's a traditional detective whodunnit and the hardest thing I've tried to date. You have to tie everything together: dates and times have to be consistent. This will be my shortest book and I'm already starting to pull all the threads together. I knew from page 20 who the murderer was but I let the story flow naturally. I'm not really into pre-planning. I haven't a title so far. Most of the book is set in my county Hampshire but there is an episode in Melbourne. I've had a bit of fun at the expense of Australians but then they do that to us anyway with interest.
Writing is the easy part. Next year I will try and sell this one if I still think it's good enougth.
Writing is the easy part. Next year I will try and sell this one if I still think it's good enougth.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
New novel ideas
If you are writing novels often finding an idea that gets you started can be a real problem. I had my book Flanagan's Legacy sitting in a file for nearly twenty years. It's a Dan Brown type conspiracy novel set in 1994. I pulled it out and rewrote parts until I was happy with it.
But people kept asking if I was going to write another book in the series about the Simpson sailing family.
I knew I should but I was stuck for an idea. At the end of Olympic Nemesis we left gold medal winner Emily married and expecting her baby. Then out of the blue came the idea. I was watching the TV series One Born every Minute the fly on wall series set in a maternity unit. Well why not start a book with the birth of Emily's baby? One thing I've never done is write a traditional whodunnit detective novel. That is a murder, clues, red herrings false leads and then the revelation at the end. So then came the story. A yacht skipper throws a long distance race for money. Shortly after this he is murdered. The man is no loss as he's a violent sexual predator. We are in a murky world of billionaire supermarket chiefs and Swiss business tycoons. Emily thinks she knows who did the murder. But is she right and do subsequent events make the story much more complicated? Watch this space of better still read the book when it's ready.
But people kept asking if I was going to write another book in the series about the Simpson sailing family.
I knew I should but I was stuck for an idea. At the end of Olympic Nemesis we left gold medal winner Emily married and expecting her baby. Then out of the blue came the idea. I was watching the TV series One Born every Minute the fly on wall series set in a maternity unit. Well why not start a book with the birth of Emily's baby? One thing I've never done is write a traditional whodunnit detective novel. That is a murder, clues, red herrings false leads and then the revelation at the end. So then came the story. A yacht skipper throws a long distance race for money. Shortly after this he is murdered. The man is no loss as he's a violent sexual predator. We are in a murky world of billionaire supermarket chiefs and Swiss business tycoons. Emily thinks she knows who did the murder. But is she right and do subsequent events make the story much more complicated? Watch this space of better still read the book when it's ready.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Tw New Books
My latest novel Flanagan's Legacy is now ready for proof reading. It's a novel of conspiracy with a piece of old history coming back to haunt a young couple unborn at the time of the event. You will enjoy the exciting sailing scenes culminating in a force 10 gale and a dramatic sea rescue. See more details on my website.
I've now started a 4th novel in the series following the sailing Simpson family and their daughter Emily.
Emily has her new baby, her career at law and her Olympic gold medal. What more could there be to trouble this unlucky family? Then a skipper accused of throwing a yacht race for money is murdered and Emily thinks she can identify the murderer.
I've now started a 4th novel in the series following the sailing Simpson family and their daughter Emily.
Emily has her new baby, her career at law and her Olympic gold medal. What more could there be to trouble this unlucky family? Then a skipper accused of throwing a yacht race for money is murdered and Emily thinks she can identify the murderer.
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