Episode 6: Val McDermid

Welcome to series 2 of Debut, where Charles E McGarry chats with fellow crime fiction authors about their journeys from bedroom to bookshelf. Here Charles speaks with the amazing Alan Parks about how he moved from a career in the music industry to the instant success of his brilliant debut, Bloody January. It is set in the gloriously grimy Glasgow of the 1970s, and we discuss how memory plays its part in crime writing.PS You can buy my new Leo Moran adventure, The Mystery of the Strange Piper, from: https://backpagepress.co.uk/press/the-mystery-of-the-strange-piper/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is a special episode of Debut, the online launch event for The Mystery of the Strange Piper, which was broadcast live on Friday, September 17th 2021. Martin Greig of BackPage Press chats with the author Charles E McGarry about Golden Age book covers, a more mellow Leo Moran and writing about the place you love. Music by Michael McGarry.You can watch the video of the launch at: BOOK LAUNCH - Charles E. McGarry, The Mystery of the Strange Piper - YouTubeYou can buy the book at: The Mystery of the Strange Piper – Backpage Press Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to series 2 of Debut, where Charles E McGarry chats with fellow crime fiction authors about their journeys from bedroom to bookshelf. Here Charles speaks with the brilliant Denzil Meyrick about how he turned to his home town for inspiration for his stunning debut Whisky From Small Glasses, and how his days as a Glasgow cop give his writing an authenticity and a profundity that are second to none.PS You can buy my new Leo Moran adventure, The Mystery of the Strange Piper, from: https://backpagepress.co.uk/press/the-mystery-of-the-strange-piper/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting soon, Charlie McGarry (you remember him) and I, plus Hugh MacDonald and a rogue's gallery of guests will be reading through the Dave Robicheaux series of novels by James Lee Burke, as discussed at length by Charlie and I in an early episode of Debut.If you know the books, why not go back to the beginning with us. If you've never read Robicheaux - here's the perfect way to do it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Debut, a podcast about one crime writer and his novel, from the bedroom to the bookshelf.Charles E McGarry has just lost the agent it took him years to find. His novel is manacled to the bottom of the slush pile. It's 14 years since he quit his job to chase his ambition to be a writer. How did he get here? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie meets Val McDermid, one of the most successful crime writers of the Tartan Noir generation. In a career spanning 30 years, Val has sold over 10m copies worldwide and has lots of advice for Charlie: about achieving authenticity; writing at the right time, and getting an agent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie meets Christopher Brookmyre, to talk about his experience starting out with Quite Ugly One Morning, in 1997. Chris and Charlie talk about their shared background in newspapers, terrible reviews and why it's still important to meet your readers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take the Hogwarts Express (kind of) to the real-life Highland location that inspired the setting of most of the novel. Charlie is our guide round the beautiful countryside and historical landmarks of Loch Awe, as he explains how and why he decided to bring murder and mystery to this picturesque corner of Scotland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just as the book is being typeset, an unexpected discovery sends Charlie back to the drawing board. We meet the hero of his novel, and find out a bit more about the eccentricities they both share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Charlie landed a deal with the publishers of the No1 Ladies Detective Agency, without an agent; his editor tells us what made her say yes to the novel and why she hates detectives with empty fridges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.