So I had a bright idea on Thursday evening. I had a bright idea, then I tweeted it immediately and the bright idea grew legs and now it is no longer just a bright idea, it’s something I am actively setting up. So much for bright idea’s! Someone should probably take my phone off me in the evenings.
It came about in quite a convoluted way. I attended Theakstons Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate last weekend and had a ball. So I’m all newly enthused about crime fiction.
I have also recently decided to attempt to be active on Google+ which led me to read up on it a little as it was such an unknown. Part of Google+ are Hangouts. A video conference type facility which can now hold an unlimited amount of people.
So, here I am, with a refreshed enthusiasm for crime fiction and a determination to read more of it and a little knowledge of Google+ and Hangouts. You know what they say about a little knowledge? Yep, that was me. I’m now going to run an online crime fiction book club.
You can find details and the how-to on the tab above (or alternatively the short route Here)
Let me know if you’re interested in joining in and if so, see the above link for details. I’ve already had quite a bit of interest on Twitter, so I’m hoping we can get this thing off the ground.
I’m planning on holding the groups on the third Wednesday of the month and the first one will be Wednesday 21st August 8 p.m.
For the first month only, I have chosen the book. After that there will be voting between three nominated books. To start us off, I thought we could go with the Queen of crime herself, Agatha Christie and Murder on the Orient Express. I personally haven’t read this book since my teenage years so it will be a chance to remind myself of the first adult novels that got me into crime fiction. I do hope you’ll join in this month and revisit a massively popular old Christie novel. I hope the club will run with a variety of different types of crime novels throughout it’s lifetime and that we have a lot of fun reading them. And don’t worry if Christie isn’t your thing, I just think a lot of crime readers came to where they are today, through her and it’s nice to look back. It’s not going to be old novels every month though!
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
“The murderer is with us – on the train now…”
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.
Isolated by the storm and with a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer amongst a dozen of the dead man’s enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again…
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – What a great idea and how terrific to be able to use modern technology like Google+ Hangouts to do a book club. I don’t want to commit myself straight off, but it sounds really interesting!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot. I understanding not committing yourself, I’m wondering how I managed to commit myself! 🙂
MarinaSofia says
I rather like the idea as well, although invariably when I sign up for something, I end up not being able to do it. So I’ll plan to join in when I can… if I can work the technology!
Rebecca Bradley says
I would be pleased to see you anytime you can make it to an online meeting or engaging through the Twitter hashtag Marina. I know it’s difficult to commit to something on a regular basis, but it is something you can dip in and out of.
Annalisa Crawford says
A great way to embrace Google +. I’m not an avid crime reader, and I work on Wednesdays at that time, so it’s not a group for me, but I wish you lots of success 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Annalisa. Crime isn’t for anyone. Thanks for the good wishes though 🙂
msashtonwriter says
Google+ hangouts are a great way to provide information online. It has worked for our Crime Writers’ Panel and we’ve found it to be a great tool.
Best wishes, Rebecca! I’m looking forward to your Crime Book Club HOA.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you. Our first one will be an interesting experience!
Randy Cade says
Ro you accept requests from new authors to promote their books. Mine is entitled “The Small World of Harry Parnes” and is available on Amazon Kindle. I will be glad to gift you a copy if you like. Please let me know what you think.
-Randy Cade
Rebecca Bradley says
Hi Randy. We don’t take requests other than from members nominating books I’m afraid.