I hope everyone is doing OK after the crazy year it’s been.
This year has been full-on in so many ways. For me, lockdown life hasn’t been all that different to my usual acts of solitude. Most authors are part-time hermits anyway – you have to be, to get a book done. My partner and I both work from home anyway, and we consider ourselves very fortunate that we haven’t been badly affected by the economic situation in the UK and so many other countries.Still, it didn’t take long for me to really start missing people. Thank goodness for the internet. Not only amazing content to keep us entertained, but a lifeline to friends and family, yoga and learning. I hope you’ve found your own way of coping with the weirdness.Christmas is going to be very quiet this year. Honestly, I’m OK with that. Sometimes I feel we focus on the wrong things at this time of year, overeating, over-drinking and over-buying. I’m actually looking forward to a peaceful few days at home, reflecting on this year and making plans for 2021… which is promising to be an exciting one.
Publishing news
As some of you might know, my Joseph Bridgeman series has been bought by Blackstone Publishing. This is why all my books have currently disappeared from Amazon and Audible – we’ve cleared the decks, ready for some exciting launches in 2021.
As I’ve shifted from being an indie (self-published) author to a published one, a few things have changed.
The first is that all my books are now going through an intensive editing and proofing process. I’ve always worked hard on the quality of my books, but working with Jason, my editor, has been an incredible experience and really taken things up a notch. I’ve learned a bucketload. And the books have got better too.
The second is that the series will now be available at all the major marketplaces, not just Amazon. So you’ll also be able to buy them from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, etc.
Third, the books will all be launching in hardback as well as paperback, which is super-exciting, and a first for me. They’ll be re-launching in audio too, with a fantastic new voice-over artist… but more of that nearer the time.
The Unexpected Gift of Joseph Bridgeman … or ‘Book 1’ as it’s affectionately known in my house, has had an overhaul, and I couldn’t be happier with the new version.
It’s got a new title, too: And Then She Vanished. It’s launching on 2 February 2021, so only a few weeks to go now.
The core story’s the same, but this new edition has brand new chapters and deeper character development to enhance Joe’s journeys into the past. There’s more Vinny, more Amy and more plot.
Here’s the new cover. I think it’s perfect. I hope you like it!
AND THEN SHE VANISHED – 2 February 2021
I’ve been rubbish at communicating with you all this year. Sorry, and thanks to all the lovely people who got in touch to check my heart’s still beating. But that all changes from now on. I’m going to be sending out regular emails again, and I’m also going to start posting updates in my new Facebook group. So, if Facebook is a place you like to hang out, join the group and I’ll see you there!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nickjonesauthor
My favourite books, TV, films and albums of 2020
As a story-teller, I’ve learned how important it is to keep my creative inkwell topped-up. Input creates output. Here are some of my favourite things this year.
TV
The Queen’s Gambit Netflix are probably as surprised as I am that this worked. I read somewhere it’s their most streamed show or something. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s like Rocky but with nerds and chessboards. Like the sheep I am, I immediately downloaded a chess app and started to re-learn the game. Apparently, millions of people have done the same. 🐑 Baaaaaaaa.
Mindhunter In ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, Clarice Starling was part of the Behavioural Science Unit. Mindhunter is the (dramatised real-life) story of how that unit was created. They coined the phrase ‘serial killer’. David Fincher does an outstanding job of avoiding the obvious violence and instead, escorting us into the cell of the convicted killers for a chat, and getting right inside their heads. The characters are complex and credible, the plot is tightly woven, and each episode is packed with drama and micro-tension. There are 2 seasons currently available. When asked about writing a third, Fincher said he didn’t know if he was ready “to spend another two years in the crawl space.” I can see why it was such an intense and lengthy process for him. The quality of the writing speaks for itself. I’m utterly hooked. This is about as good as it gets. Which leads me to…
The Mandalorian Some episodes are glorious examples of the kind of Star Wars T.V. I always wished for. Character-driven storytelling that knows what it’s doing. And then, some episodes are weak, nonsensical drivel. I can’t think of any other show that is this patchy. Come on, Disney. Stop with these ‘monster of the week’ episodes and focus on the core story, the writing. Give us characters with reasons for their actions, and goals that make sense.
Hamilton (Disney+ only at the moment) An inspired example of pure creative freedom. The songs are soooooo good. I have to ration it because I become obsessive about learning and reciting all the lyrics. And considering they packed more lyrics into this that any other stage show, that’s a losing game. Try it. I recommend, ‘Guns and Ships’. Particularly the lines… “No one has more resilience, or matches my practical, tactical, brilliance!”
Film
Knives Out A detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. How could the same writer/director, the one who (IMHO) utterly DESTROYED Star Wars with the abomination that was ‘The Last Jedi’, create this masterpiece of modern, ‘whodunnit’ cinema? Rian, I forgive you for what you did to Luke. Nearly.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Maybe you think animation superhero stuff isn’t your thing. Just watch it. It looks amazing and the unexpected and extremely creative story really nails it. Genuinely one of the best super-hero movies I’ve ever seen.
Fight Club (throwback). After watching Mindhunter, I thought this was worth a revisit. An example of two heads are definitely better than one. Chuck Palahniuk wrote a powerhouse of a novel, David Fincher understood it and created a film to rival the book. I love them both, the book and the movie. How often can you say that? It feel as relevant now – perhaps even more so – than it did on release. Consumerism gone mad. Identity in question. Brad Pitt cemented his leading man credentials. Ed Norton knocked it out of the park. And that reveal… (I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t seen it yet, but WATCH IT for heaven’s sake.) Sheesh madeesh! as Vinny would say.
Books / Audio
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. A total wild card. I thought it was time to stretch my vocabulary and try something different. Loved it! Beautifully written. Evocative and transportive.
For We Are Many, by Dennis E. Taylor. Book 2 in the Bobiverse series is great fun and on audio, Ray Porter just nails it. Yes it’s nerdy, yes there are so many Bobs I kind of lost track but Dennis handles the massive concept with a steady hand and a wry smile. Sci-fi rarely feels this welcoming. Highly recommended.
The Guardians, by John Grisham. He is still writing amazing books, like a good wine etc. Life-affirming, law, order and determination. Decent people trying to make a difference. It reminded me there is always hope if we fight for what is right.
Albums
Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia. Dua Lipa crept up on me and this album solidifies her place on the pop podium with the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson. Seriously, when it comes to brilliantly produced dance-floor classics, she owns it. Brash, confident and non-stop. She has created her first masterpiece at the age of 24. I’m excited to see where this scarily competent artist goes next.
Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka. I’ve liked most of his stuff, but this album is on another level. It evokes so many feelings and spans (for me anyway) such diverse influences as Marvin Gaye, all the way to Radiohead. Michael said he wanted to create an album that felt like a dream. It could have been a nightmare. It’s isn’t though, it’s heaven.
Rayland Baxter – Feathers and Fishhooks. Not released this year, but discovered by me in 2020. If this was on cassette (look it up kids) it would be worn out. He locked himself in a rubber band factory and didn’t come out until this was done. Respect. I love it.
Haim – Women in Music Pt. III. Like Michael K, I kind of liked their stuff. This one though is packed with wonderful, catchy, sun-soaked drifty tunes that sound effortless. Such a good collection of songs by a band that have found new confidence by not caring too much. There is space in the arrangements, a relaxed airiness that we all need at the moment. (Parental Advisory Rating: Occasionally Naughty)
Rina Sawayama – Sawayama. An absolutely bonkers, 90’s inspired love letter to the decade that shaped her. You can hear the influences, and it shouldn’t work, and yet it totally does. If you need a reminder that music is a canvas that’s always waiting for a new artist, this is it. (Parental Advisory Rating: Potty Mouth)And, that’s it from me. It’s been a challenging year for sure. I hope you have a restorative break and that next year is a healing and happy one for you.
