What makes a book a success? What’s that magic ingredient writers need to bring to their manuscript to make it fly off the shelves?
Ever since I started writing I’ve been fascinated by what makes a bestselling book. As an unpublished writer I voraciously read debut novels to find out just what those authors had that had attracted an agent, and then a publisher, and got them over the line. As my latest thriller (a complete change from the Cat Connolly trilogy of police proceduarals) Keep Your Eyes on Me hits the bookshelves, I’m launching a new podcast, talking to bestselling and award winning authors, agents, editors and publicists from right across the industry to find out what makes a book a success.
Join me, crime author Sam Blake, as I chat to bestsellers from every genre to find out what makes a book fly off the shelves in Behind the Bestseller. Discussing concepts and ideas, where stories come from and how authors develop them into what you see on the page, I will also be chatting to agents, editors and publicists to understand their part in the process.
I started writing fiction in 1999 when my husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks, I was convinced that first (terrible) book would be a bestseller – but it took me a bit longer than I expected to get published and it was actually my the fifth book that became my debut novel. Little Bones hit the number one slot for four weeks and launched detective Cat Connolly into the world, as well as launching my writing career.
In ‘Behind the Bestseller’, I quizz authors on exactly what made the difference for them and dig into the detail of how brilliant stories are born and how they grow.
My first psychological thriller Keep Your Eyes on Me arrives on bookshelves in January 2020 – it’s ‘Strangers on a Train’ meets ‘Dial M For Murder’; TM Logan, bestselling author of the Richard and Judy Book Club choice, The Holiday says ‘Revenge is sweet in this deliciously entertaining thriller, as two women scorned aim to settle a few scores – with an ingenious plan that will have you cheering them every step of the way.’
Join me in ‘Behind the Bestseller’ to discover the insider secrets – subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!
Click here to listen on Spotify
Click here to listen on the Headstuff site
