The Debut podcast series by Charles E McGarry
I’m very excited to reveal that a new podcast series about my journey to publication is to be released on June 20. My first crime novel ‘The Ghost of Helen Addison’ will be released by Polygon on July 6, and ‘Debut: A Crime Writer’s Journey from the Bedroom to the Bookshelf’ tells the story behind the story.
The series is produced by BackPage media, producers of the iTunes-topping podcast ‘The Big Interview with Graham Hunter’, and it explores what it takes to get an idea into mainstream publishing. It traces the steps from my initial ambition to become a writer, to how I conceived of my first crime novel, to how I developed it and eventually found a publisher.
Loch Awe in Argyll was the inspiration for the fictional Loch Dhonn where most of the book is set. Neil White and Martin Greig of BackPage visited me when I was holidaying there last November for the first interviews, and we were blessed with a day of splendid sunshine which revealed the snow-capped Highland scenery in all of its glory. Other highlights in the series include me in conversation with two of crime-writing’s biggest names, Val McDermid and Chris Brookmyre. I asked them about their experiences in getting published and becoming established writers, and shared my experiences with them and asked for their views and advice.
The series also explores how I left a business career at the age of 30 to pursue my ambitions as a writer; the influences and coincidences that inspired me; how I found a London agent after years of searching only to lose him in a matter of days; how one rejection note, among dozens of rejection notes, changed everything; and much more.
Debut is really beautifully put together and I think crime fans and book lovers in general will enjoy it. It’s a great balance of narrative, interviews, music and readings, and obviously I’m hopeful it will increase awareness of my book, which I am very proud of.
Neil, who produced Debut, said: “Charles’s is an epic journey which starts with a soul-searching road-trip across Australia and will culminate with the publication of his novel in July. We were captivated by his story and wanted to capture the highs and lows of trying to get published.
“Charles’s conversations with Val and Chris, in particular, are fascinating insights into how these two great writers went through their own unique challenges early in their careers. They both had great advice for Charles about what lies ahead.”
All six episodes of Debut will be released on Tuesday, June 20. They will be available on iTunes and all other podcast feeds. I hope you enjoy it!
Charles E McGarry
The first six episodes of Debut are released on Tuesday, June 20, on iTunes and all audio platforms. www.debutpodcast.com for full details.
For more information about Debut, please contact:
Neil White: neil.white@backpagepress.co.uk
