Paul Mendelson's Blog: Surviving "The First Rule of Survival"

I'm being asked - regularly - whether I'm enjoying the lockdown as it must surely give me more time to write?
The answer is no. I have far less time to write and far more on my mind. I have my own family to consider, my almost-blind-now, recently widowed mother, and a number of self-employed friends who can't earn a living. So, while I get to read a little more than usual, my mind is just too tied up in the here and now to be able to escape into the fictional world I want to create.

There is also a feeling which has laid anchor in my belly that what I do isn't really worthy of the times in which we are living. That is to say, to place my own central character in a fictional jeopardy, when there is so much real uneasiness, fear and heartbreak, seems a little shallow and pointless. of course, being a guilt-ridden author means that I may just be making all this up as an excuse not to write, but it feels real to me.

I am exceptionally busy with my other career: bridge and poker writer, and now online broadcaster. I have moved from lecturing live to small groups, to presenting online to particpants from all over the world, sometimes with audiences running into the several hundreds. The preparation beforehand is immensely time-consuming and, although the performance - when I feel that I've made people hapopy - is satisfying, is is not the same as creating something which doesn't disappear into the ether.

I'm looking forward to a time when I can return to my novels, two of which are under way and one is with my agent, although I am not entirely happy with it.
In the meantime, I hope that, if you haven't dipped into the beatiful yet frightneing world of Vaugh de Vries yet, you'll give my first foru novels a try. You'll find them an escape from reality - one way or another...

Proving myself a poor blogger indeed means that my second post is two years and two novels later.
The excitement of translation rights, TV options and the lust of literary agents has worn off and now there is just this dark deadline wave which rises up in front of me each summer.
Returning from the Theaksons Old Peculiar Crime Festival in Harrogate last weekend (HIGHLY recommended), I am reminded that crime authors are extraordinarily kind and supportive of one another - and this is something which I appreciate massively.
Book 2, "The Serpentine Road" came out last year, just as my publisher was being absorbed into the massive Hachette / Little, Brown group and, as a result, despite some lovely reviews, it never really got much publicity and sold less well than book one.
The German translation of Book 1, large print formats for libraries, audio-book release and many book-club appearances kept me on my toes.
Whereas book 2 seemed plain sailing, book 3 caused a major block last summer, resolved (as so often) by no particular method other than just forcing oneself to write. I had no idea what my editors would make of this one. With huge relief, I can report they claimed it my best yet, and a large format paperback was the chosen form of publication this July, to be followed by the smaller (mass market) edition early next year. Great reviews - thank you - sent the sales rocketing briefly, especially in South Africa.
French, German and Afrikaans translations now beckon, and the German version of "The First Rule of Survival" sold very well, which is wonderful. If only I could understand the posted reviews...
Book 4 is now half written, with more to be done this summer.
I'm always open to questions so, if you are a reader - or a potential one - do ask me whatever you'd like.
Have a great summer of reading... Paul

Six weeks out from the release of the e-book and Trade Paperback, and the big news is that my brilliant independent publishers, Constable & Robinson have been sold to Little, Brown. The reaction is a mixture of excitement and the fear of the unknown. Reassured by my wonderful editor, Krystyna Green, that all will be well, settle down interacting with interested parties left, right and centre.
It's been quite a ride: a wonderful review/preview from the king of action thrillers, Lee Child; actor Philip Glenister and author Brian McGilloway - and then a series of great crits from the users of lovereading.co.uk
My publisher is offering 25 free books to readers on goodreads so, hopefully, there'll be some more reviews to be seen in due course.
Meanwhile, preparations for various launches in London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Australia are all under way and invites from crime festivals come in too. There's even a nibble from a very reputable TV production company. Who knows what will happen next?

I hope you'll join me as my journey continues (and the second book is almost finished) Paul M