Inside My World: Photos On Social – Sam Blake

Sam Blake

Number one bestselling author

10 January 2020

Inside My World: Photos On Social

Sam Blake

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No 1 bestselling author
Cat Connolly trilogy, KeepYourEyesOnMe
TheDarkRoom OUT NOW
Agent @simontrewin
Board member @society_of_authors & The CWA

Sunrise over London and a much needed brain reset.

Sunrise over London and a much needed brain reset.

@rachelryanwriter has just done a brilliant post about suddenly realising she had internet fatigue and how connecting virtually was getting harder and harder and creating brain fog. Check her account and take a look at her beautiful photos - they are a timeline cleanse!

I think internet fatigue can sneak up on you, and for some getting out and about may be a struggle at first. But do it, even if it's baby steps! Meet someone for a walk or go to an art gallery, look for ways to stimulate your mind.

We are social creatures and can't get the same level of connection through a screen as we do in person. Thank goodness for the vaccine, let's hope the world is going to start to return to a new normal soon.

#blackfriars #blackfriarsbridge #london #travel #ideas #story #storytelling #books

With my other hat on, I run Writing.ie, and we're

With my other hat on, I run Writing.ie, and we're thrilled to be sponsoring the An Post Irish Book Awards Writing.ie Short Story of the Year Award again this year. The Short Story of the Year Award is open for submissions over at www.writing.ie right now - if you've had a short story published in an anthology, journal or magazine (online or in print) check out the terms and conditions and ask the editor to enter your story!

This category is open to short stories of up to 7000 words published between 1st Nov 2020 and 31st October 2021 in any of the following contexts: a collection of short stories by a single author; an anthology of short stories; or an established journal or magazine, digital or print, that has been in existence for at least six months within the period of eligibility. The closing date for entries this year is 31st August 2021.

Stories must be original fiction, i.e. neither a reprint nor adaptation of a previously-published work, and all stories must have been or will be published in English, in print or online, during the qualifying period. The author must be Irish by birth, citizenship or long-term residence. Entries must be made by the editor of the publication in which they appear.

Here I am presenting the award at the 2017 gala dinner which is filmed each year for RTE, I cannot WAIT to get back to evenings like this! Second pic: @hazelgaynor @cathryanhoward, me, @andreahayes.ie and @sophiegrenham (out out, who knew?!)

Short stories are such an important part of our culture, but also provide a superb launching pad for writers to get their work noticed – many of our most noted writers got their first break with a short story, check out the entry requirements here:

https://www.writing.ie/news/writing-ie-short-story-of-the-year-2021/

If you finished your book over the weekend & are l

If you finished your book over the weekend & are looking for some new ideas, I may have some suggestions! 🥰

There's lots at Sam Blake to chose from, whether you love a police procedural - my first 3 books feature Garda detective Cat Connolly who (literally!) kicks off Little Bones, my debut runaway No 1 bestseller, in a mess of her own - and then she finds a baby's bones hidden in the hem of a wedding dress...

"Little Bones will grab you from the very beginning. Blake sets up a new series of police crime thrillers with Little Bones, and Cathy is a strong female protagonist to use as the heroine. Little Bones is a must for anyone looking to get their summertime crime fix." ― Pure M Magazine

"Connolly, for whom the word "gutsy" might have been invented, is a terrific character . . . a compelling debut; the author keeps her complex storyline going all the way to its incredible ending" ― Sunday Independent

And if you prefer a thrilling standalone, Keep You Eyes On Me brings you psychologist Vittoria and jewellery designer Lily - it's 'Strangers on a Train' meets 'Dial M for Murder', and takes you from London to New York and back to Dublin with two women who come up with a wicked plan to sort out the men who are causing big problems in their lives.

"Blake’s strength lies in her ability to combine tough and memorable characters with a deliciously complex and fast-moving plot that never wanes.

She has taken the simple concept of revenge, but turned it into a riveting tale that criss-crosses the globe and involves smuggled antiques, forged artworks and even the Russian mafia.

The tension never lets up and as we hurtle towards the last few pages, Blake fires in one last plot grenade that makes you question everything you have just read.” Irish Independent

And out now, bestseller The Dark Room takes you to country house hotel Hare's Landing in West Cork, where Rachel Lambert and Caroline Kelly are investigating the death of a homeless man but discover that the house has some grim secrets of its own. 🥰

Link in bio, where you can read extracts & find out more about the inspiration for the books.
I'd love you to sign up for my newsletter for exclusive news!

Loving the symmetry in these covers! Cannot wait

Loving the symmetry in these covers!

Cannot wait to start Josh Stallings' TRICKY! I read an article by him in @crimereads (excellent, do follow) and was transported by the scene he described (update: started it and was on Ch 4 before I drew breath)

Here's the blurb:
Does your past define you forever?

That's the question LAPD homicide detective Niels Madsen must answer after he gets in the middle of a standoff between two uniformed officers and Cisco, an intellectually disabled man. Cisco is found armed and standing over the body of a man with Down syndrome. Cisco swears the dead man was his good friend, and he didn’t hurt him, but in his earlier life, Cisco had been gang member, a brilliant and brutal killer. After he was badly beaten, brain injuries left him him―if he is to be believed―with the intellectual intelligence of a child. Madsen's search for the truth leads him through the special needs community, East LA gang life, and pits him up against the corrupt LA Sheriff’s Department.

More than a police procedural, Tricky explores questions of human nature: Whether a man can change, for better or worse, and whether redemption is possible.

I'm completely hooked...

And Hitchcock...well...he really *was* the master of suspense

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME was inspired by Strangers on a Train and Dial M for Murder. Lily and Vittoria meet on a plane rather than a train, but there is a perfectly timed phone call…

What's your favourite Hitchcock movie? You can probably guess my top 3!

Photo taken on top of one of eldest's steamer trunks. I feel that they have their own story to tell...'Books are mirrors of the soul' bookmark from the fabulous @thegaragepress

#crimeread #newbooks #gripping #suspense #Hitchcock #movie #travel #antiquetrunks #steamertrunk

Just going back through previous #harrogatecrimefe

Just going back through previous #harrogatecrimefestival pics (given that it's on this weekend and I'm in the #NotAtHarrogate gang for the first time in years 😥) and look what I found! This is me (obvs) with the incredible @kathyreichs and @hollieoverton at a private reception to celebrate Kathy's event in July 2017. It was a boiling hot evening and I'm pretty sure @selinawalker_walks took the photo. I cannot wait for next year's festival!!!

Since this was taken @hollieoverton
has had the most adorable triplets 🤗🤩🥂

#crimeauthors crimefiction #theakstonscrime #authorevent #champagne #thrillerwriters #readersofinstagram #writerscommunity

Can't be in #harrogate at #theakstonscrime this ye

Can't be in #harrogate at #theakstonscrime this year unfortunately, but what better way to spend a Friday afternoon? Sunshine, raspberry tea and page proofs for REMEMBER MY NAME which will be in your hands in January 2022 - but there are a few more surprises first...(not least a change in the weather!)

This book features a character I love called Brioni O'Brien, who has neon pink hair, a double undercut and a tattoo of a unalome on the inside of her wrist.

Watch out for more news on her story and some very exciting cover reveals coming soon...

🤗📚⚡

#crimewriting #crimewriters #editing #newbook #travelwithabook #summer #summerreads #sunshine #crimefestival #harrogatebloggers

I am clearly the queen of the selfie 😱 (not!) R

I am clearly the queen of the selfie 😱 (not!) Really lovely meeting this morning about @murderonefest with my partner in crime Bert Wright (of @anpost_irishbookawards, @histfestdub & @sundaytimesculture fame) and another partner whose identity we will be revealing very soon!

Very excited about plans moving forwards!! Like everyone 2021 is a bit of a challenge, but we're thinking ahead. Watch this space and follow @murderonefest for more...🗡️📚💥

#literaryevent #literaryfestival #crimewriters #crimewriting #ireland🇮🇪 #internationalauthors

UK Readers! So many brilliant books here (looks li

UK Readers! So many brilliant books here (looks like the Irish are keeping good company on the top shelf!)

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME will DEFINITELY keep your mind off this weather!

Reposted from @gsayer_13 For a brilliant range of books, at a fantastic price ... just 3 for £5!! Head to your local @theworksstores 📚

Including @samblakebooks @smariedowning @gythalodge @neil.spring @fabricating_fiction @jamespattersonbooks and many many more great authors 👍

#theworks
#theworksstores
#fictionbooks
#crimethrillerbooks
#romancebooks
#sagabooks
#agoodbooktoread
#readingtime📖☕️

Squinting into the 🌞 on Grafton Street after a

Squinting into the 🌞 on Grafton Street after a gorgeous lunch at @carluccios 🤩🤗 Obligatory food pic 🤣 needs to be recorded as this is the first time I've eaten out out since 23rd December! So good to finally see @themariamchale, as she says, in real life and not on a screen!!

And then several circuits of St Stephen's Green laughing at the Mafioso seagulls - here's a focused pair planning their next raid.

Maria counted (she better at numbers than me) and it's been one year, five months and fifteen days since we last met in person - but there *have* been literally hundreds of texts, WhatsApp videos, emails and Zooms.

And well over 80 hours of Facebook lives serving our Writers Ink group, as M puts it so well, arguably the best writing community in the universe (we both may be a bit biased 🤣🤣)

We talked nonstop (what a surprise!) and put the world to rights, so many new ideas, so WONDERFUL to be out!

#friends #sunshine #outout #newideas #writingcommunity #writerslife #writerofig #dublin

I’m working on a new story idea this morning and

I’m working on a new story idea this morning and going back through my ‘inspiration’ photo files (pics of anything that catches my eye that might be in a book one day) and I’ve just found a photo grid I did for KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME. Each book really is such a mix of elements and influences, it’s like they all go into a blender and the story comes out the other end.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME started with a series of interesting and offbeat things that happened to me in airports and on planes. Flying back to Dublin from London, I got chatting to a lovely girl in the queue for check-in - when we boarded the plane, the guy who was in the seat next to me had seen us talking and asked if we wanted to sit beside each other. How lovely was that? He took her seat and we had a *very* interesting chat that started me thinking about the randomness of meeting people when you’re travelling.

*That* started me thinking about Patricia Highsmith’s fabulous 'Strangers on a Train', and a story started to grow. If you really want to get away with something, meticulous planning is key. I love the movie 'Dial M For Murder' and a well timed telephone conversation, particularly these days with everything so traceable, intrigued me.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME was brilliant fun to write – it's set between #London and #Dublin with flashes of #NewYork and features stolen art, smuggled antiquities, and some devious scheming by two very strong women: Lily Power and Vittoria Devine.

You can find out more on my site about it (link in bio) or grab a copy in your local bookshop 🤩📚⚡it was a No 1 bestseller!

I love a good revenge story, don't you?!

#revenge #womensuportingwomen #psychologicalthriller #thrillerbooks #crimewriting #summerreads #bookclub #amwriting #amediting #travelwithabook #holidaywithabook #holidays #jewellerylover #jewellrydesigner #diamonds #ballet #ballerina #airtravel #art #antiques #antiquities #forgery #secrets #mystery

Well this has made my weekend! It's so wonderful

Well this has made my weekend!

It's so wonderful to hear back from readers!! 🤗❤️🙏

Yay!!

#thedarkroom #summerreads #summerready #readerofinstagram #readmorebooks #supportyourlocalbookshop #bookshelf #booklovers #WestCork #ireland🍀 #bookreview

If anyone's looking for a special gift, @dubrayboo

If anyone's looking for a special gift, @dubraybooks in Grafton Street have lots of signed Sam Blake's! Thanks so much to @ruth.oleary who took these pics (totally forgot when I was in actually signing, was talking too much as usual)

I was absolutely THRILLED that The Dark Room is one of the @independent.ie recommended summer thriller reads, WOOT! 🥳🥂☀️😎📚

And alongside @michaelconnellybooks @officialjefferydeaver , Paula McLain and Brian McGilloway no less!!

*An excellent, engrossing tale featuring two attractive and well-drawn heroines and a satisfyingly serpentine plot with a killer twist.
— Myles McWeeney*

🙏❤️

Let me take you to Hare's Landing, West Cork. A house full of mystery...

Rachel Lambert leaves London with Jasper, her German Shepherd, afraid for her personal safety after a break-in on her house boat. Her partner Hunter has been involved in a hit and run, and she's determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of the homeless man Hunter was filming for a documentary. The only lead she has is a country house hotel called Hare's Landing.

New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs some thinking space away from her job. But almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner.

As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...

Available in digital, audio as well as this trade paperback, I just love this cover!!

See my earlier posts for photos of #HelfordPassage #Cornwall that inspired the story...or read more on my website, link in bio 😎

Sign up for my newsletter for giveaways and to hear exciting Sam Blake newsy news first!

#bestsellers #recommendedreadings #supportyourlocalbookshop #pageturner #booksofinstagram #Bookclubs #thrillerbooks #daphnedumaurier #crimefiction

I spent a blissful afternoon in @amiadalkey yester

I spent a blissful afternoon in @amiadalkey yesterday having an amazing facial and getting my nails done. This is a note to self that my favourite red nail polish is called PIN-UP GIRL *NOT* CALL GIRL 🤦

One day I'll remember it correctly. Fortunately they keep it in stock for me, isn't it fab?

I had two lots of edits to work through this weekend, on two different books, and finished one lot on Friday, so I took a day off yesterday. Ideally, today I need to work out a way to work in the garden without my laptop overheating, but I feel much of it will be spent in my lovely cool office. 🌞😎

#selfcare #relaxation #makeeverydayspecial #maketimeforyou #workingweekend #writerslife #deadline #amediting #crimewriter

James Joyce's manuscript for Ulysses. To make us a

James Joyce's manuscript for Ulysses. To make us all feel better about first drafts.

They *should* be a hot mess where your first priority is to find the story. Sometimes they flow, sometimes they splutter, sometimes it takes a few goes to find the right angle. Words are never wasted.

Just starting what will be book 8 and it's all becoming *much* clearer! This is the exciting part of the process, as the story begins to reveal itself...💫

#amwriting #firstdraft #newbook #character #plot #story #storytelling #magic #thriller #crimewriting

The hottest day of the year so far and I've spent

The hottest day of the year so far and I've spent most of it making videos about the Cat series, #LittleBones, #InDeepWater and #NoTurningBack - here I am pushing the wrong button on the phone and taking a photo instead of starting the video 🤦 I'm onto the next books...next!

In very exciting news, we have a winner of the thriller book bundle giveaway - you just had to sign up for my newsletter to be in with a chance to win - and even better, it's our winner's birthday today, so she's doubly thrilled 🥳🥳🥳 The books will be winging their way to the UK on Monday.

There are going to be lots of exclusive fun giveaways plus Sam Blake news coming soon, so do sign up for the newsletter and join the Sam Blake crew who will hear everything first! ❤️

I know everyone gets far too much email so the newsletters are short and only come once a month!

Pop over to www.samblakebooks.com to sign up, link in bio ⚡😎

#social #newsletter #keepintouch #video #summer #books #reader #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #nextread #readersofig

Facebook memories from two years ago – look how ti

Facebook memories from two years ago - look how tiny Daisy and Flash were! This was almost the day they arrived, just after we'd come home from #Cornwall. Proper #literarycats from @midlifecoach 's litter 😻😻

They were both purring!!

Daisy is now very delicate and elegant, Flash is huge!

#literarycats #writerscats #kittens #catsofinstagram #blackcat #blackandwhitecat
@midlifecoach

Oh my goodness how gorgeous are these? Really, I'm

Oh my goodness how gorgeous are these? Really, I'm a danger to myself...

I absolutely love the asymmetric shapes and colours, 'wearable treasures' is right! @ruthtomlinsonjewellery also has rings and necklaces that are blues and greens that remind me so much of the sea, and her signature gold mounts are like grains of sand (not selling these to myself much am I?!)

I have a thing about buying a piece of jewellery to celebrate each book publication, and the book coming out in January REMEMBER MY NAME (which I'm supposed to be checking the final copy edits of right now rather than looking at instagram, ahem) has a bit of a water theme...she realises as she types 😍🙀 Oh help!

Reposted from @ruthtomlinsonjewellery Pastel hued sapphires clustered in asymmetrical arrangements making for beautifully balanced wearable treasures⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#sapphirerings #alternativeengagementrings #showmeyourrings #pinksapphires #yellowsapphires #altbride
#treatyourself #selfcaretips #amwritingthrillers

Tune in to #CrimeSene tonight, not only for my *br

Tune in to #CrimeSene tonight, not only for my *brilliant* writing tips, but LOTS of crime stuff (of the fictional variety!) TV, music and more...it's all online, you've no excuse 😘

Reposted from @jamesmurphybks Join me on Belfast 247 Radio tonight from 7-9pm for #crimescene. On tonight’s show:
📻 @samblakebooks continues her how to guide for writing crime as she talks creating believable characters.
📻 @kelly.creightonwriter shares her must see Crime TV picks.
📻 @deborah_small_ talks book news with a chat about @jconnollybooks The Nameless Ones.
📻 Our “Song About A Crime” feature.
📻 Our “Songs That Were Murdered” slot features One Direction’s version of One Way Or Another/ Teenage Kicks.What do you think? Are they a condemned band? #radio

#crimefiction #writersofinstagram #writerslife #crimescene

Another brilliant session for @wicklowlibraries as

Another brilliant session for @wicklowlibraries as part of our online writing workshop series - this time talking opening chapters! It's so good to hear what everyone's working on - these sessions are a lot about problem solving too - as writers we all have similar problems, and listening to authors speaking about their process is a brilliant way to solve them (for me too - I learn something new everytime I interview a writer! There are loads of brilliant chats on the Writing.ie Facebook page)

This time I read the opening pages of #LittleBones and #KeepYourEyesOnMe and we talked about the hook, why you need to begin right before the action begins and the process that brought me to *this* opening page.

Here we meet Garda Cat Connolly for the first time, we discover she has problems of her own, and then she finds a baby's bones hidden in the hem of a vintage wedding dress and things really start to hot up! 🙀💥

#debutnovel #bestseller #LittleBones #catconnolly #procedural #garda #firstpage #firstdrafts #amwriting #amediting #digital #kindle #audiobooks @bolindaaudio #borrowbox #listentothis

I've been on adventures today! Popped into town fo

I've been on adventures today! Popped into town for the first time since very early 2020, for a wander around the National Gallery.🎨
Then dropped into the city centre bookshops to sign copies of #TheDarkRoom which is still gracing tables and prominent on shelves despite having been released back in January. According to the @independent.ie it's a perfect summer read, and bookshopping is a day out these days!

This is me in @hodgesfiggis - they have such a wonderful selection of books it's a real emporium you can wander in for hours, and just look at the glorious chalk mural that Steven has done at the bottom of the stairs - he's not just a talented window display artist!

Last pic in @eason_ireland but theres signed stock in @dubraybooks Grafton Street too , where they also have copies of #LittleBones 🙏❤️

#buylocal #supportlocal #bookshop #writer #gift #reader #readmorebooks #travelwithabook

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