APRIL UPDATE

Pull up a seat and let's talk. I'm not one for doing these kinds of updates, anyone who knows me knows I keep my cards close to my chest, but I today I decided why not. What's the worst that could happen? I wanted to fill you in a little on what's been happening behind the scenes, because although you all probably see the upcoming novel on the 1st June, what you probably don't know is I had three (yes, three) books finished and ready to go since The Faithful. The first was a crime novel written for an agent back in November who was positive an Irish crime novel is what he wanted from me. It wasn't. The book was called The Devil Came Home, and I've since slapped duct-tape around its spine, strapped concrete blocks to its feet and dropped it from the highest peer. You'll most likely never read it. The second is a novel titled From Up Here which is currently doing the rounds at traditional publishing houses thanks to my incredible agent, Lane Heymont. This is a coming-of-age horror. It's visceral. It's got teeth. And I love it so. I hope you all have a chance to read it soon. Third is a new collection called Various States Of Decay. It collects most of my recent published short stories as well as a truck load of new ones. Some teasers are Things Found In Couches, Happiness Inc., The Mutt, and my "Irish Short Story of the Year"-nominated Intercepting Aisle Nine. By the time A Penny For Your Thoughts releases, I'll have finished another (I guess that makes it four), a survival horror based in Ireland titled The Flood. This will also be sent by carrier pigeon to the major publishers, where I hope it'll stay. I guess I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you, and give you a brief peek into the kitchen. Some things are on fire, yes, and some have burned completely, but I'll be serving up something tasty very soon. Stick around, and thanks for reading.
Matt
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Published on April 19, 2019 08:26
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Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell Am literally crossing off the days until A Penny For Your Thoughts is released! I am utterly, completely, intrigued and hooked already. I really can't wait for 1st June...it feels like Christmas :-)

Bloody shame about the crime thriller. Jack Taylor books do very nicely, so don't drop it off that pier, yet...it just needs to find its home somewhere that will appreciate the theme.

Left you a shout out in my 5* review of Lost Highways, by the way. Where The Wild Winds Blow was worth the price of the collection in itself. I want to know what happens next...please!!!! Lol!! There's a novel just begging to be written. Excellent as always, Matt. :-)
Take care and please don't stop writing! (Selfish me!)


message 2: by Matt (new)

Matt Hayward Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell wrote: "Am literally crossing off the days until A Penny For Your Thoughts is released! I am utterly, completely, intrigued and hooked already. I really can't wait for 1st June...it feels like Christmas :-..."

Thank you, Fiona. Poltergeist Press just released a video of Robert Ford reading the entire first chapter of A Penny For Your Thoughts on YouTube. Also, thank you for the shout-out in your review. That story was based on my friend Jeff Angell's song of the same name. It appeared on the album 'Diamonds in a Dead Sky' by a band called Missionary Position. Hard to find, but worth a listen if you can track it down.


Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell It was a pleasure to give your wonderful story a much deserved shout out, Matt! Thanks for the interesting background info...I am always fascinated by the 'where' stories are born, and the genesis of their development. Will certainly try to track the album down.

I am SO tempted to dive onto YouTube to hear Robert read the first chapter of 'A Penny For Your Thoughts', it's an exquisite agony because part of me wants to experience that, but part of me wants to wait for the book launch date...thanks for the problem...lol! No doubt I will listen to it, when I can read on! It sounds so intriguing, I can't remember the last time I was so looking forward to a book release! Thanks in advance ;-)


Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell Huge thank you for the heads up on the Diamonds in a Dead Sky album...found it (thanks, Amazon Prime music). It's right up my alleyway - know the one where you turn left after The Shantyman? - will make wonderful listening at 4am when no one but me is awake, and, just for fun, I go for the Three M's (Marilyn Manson, Metallica, and Motorhead... Not always in that order) because, well, just because. Am on my second listen. There's a story in every damned song. Makes me want to get my laptop out, blow the dust off the keyboard, and start writing again.

Love it all, but especially grabbed by that cool, Noir vibe at the end of Let's Start a Fire. 3am smokey bar where the chairs have already been put on the tables, and for no particular reason made me think of a guy in a trenchcoat sitting on his own, where he can look towards the door. Just in case. But she never shows.

See what i mean...erm, well, obviously you did :-)

Anyways, thanks for the great sounds. Mighty.


Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell I have just treated myself, Brain Dead Blues and...I caved in. Had to pre-order A Penny For Your Thoughts. And, you have been hiding your light under your books...so to speak...man, can you play!!!! Discovered Band Of Skulls! You should have mentioned you are a rock star. Now I sound like a creepy stalker, so I will just say roll on 1st June for the launch of A Penny For Your Thoughts. Thanks so much for the great stories and the awesome sounds!


message 6: by Matt (new)

Matt Hayward Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell wrote: "I have just treated myself, Brain Dead Blues and...I caved in. Had to pre-order A Penny For Your Thoughts. And, you have been hiding your light under your books...so to speak...man, can you play!!!..."

Hi, Fiona. The Matt Hayward in Band of Skulls is a different Matt Hayward, though we get mixed up a lot. I did play in Lace Weeper (first and only album featured Chad Channing of Nirvana), but these days I only write. Though I still have one foot in music as I wrote the comic adaption for Walking Papers which ended up becoming the music video. Check out 'This Is How It Ends - Walking Papers' on YouTube.


Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell Oops! Sorry for confusing our Matt's! I am awesomely impressed with the Nirvana connection ;-) And the 'Walking Papers' is seriously good stuff. A man of many talents! And...one more sleep(less) night until 'A Penny For Your Thoughts' is going to be loaded onto my Kindle!!! So excited :-) Anything else is going to be shelved...lol. Going to listen to Robert reading the first chapter this evening, as a special treat. ( I haven't actually done anything deserving of a treat, but what the hey. Who's counting? Not me (obviously))!


message 8: by Matt (new)

Matt Hayward Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell wrote: "Oops! Sorry for confusing our Matt's! I am awesomely impressed with the Nirvana connection ;-) And the 'Walking Papers' is seriously good stuff. A man of many talents! And...one more sleep(less) ni..."

Really hope you enjoy your time with this one.


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