I have some news but first of all, and most importantly, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has read and enjoyed the DI Nick Dixon Crime Series. Your support, reviews, emails, messages and tweets have kept me going and without them I do not think that I would have persevered to the point that I have now reached (more on that in a moment). What started out as a hobby to keep me busy on the long dark winter nights has grown into something beyond my wildest imaginings. So, thank you!
Now for the news. There’s good and bad, I’m afraid, but I’m hoping you will agree that the good outweighs the bad!
Over the last few months since the publication of Kickback I have been approached by two literary agents, a TV producer and, most recently, by a publisher. To cut a long story short, the publisher (Amazon Publishing UK) made me an offer that was too good to refuse, so I didn’t. The upshot is that I now have a publisher who will ensure that Nick Dixon reaches an audience that I simply cannot reach as a self published author. It’s a huge step for me but it also ensures that Nick will get the five star treatment he deserves from now on; professional editing and proofreading, audiobooks etc etc.
The first task is the relaunch of As The Crow Flies, Head In The Sand and Kickback. This is scheduled to take place in the New Year and I will be spending a good deal of time between now and then working with the editorial team in preparation for that.
Now for the bad news and my humblest apologies in advance! Swansong is almost finished but will not now be released until next Spring, after the relaunch of the first three in the series. I know that a great many of you are waiting patiently for it and I really am sorry for the delay. The knowledge that so many people were waiting for it made the delay in publication a huge factor for me in signing the publishing deal but in the end I opted to go for it and I hope you will understand.
On the plus side, Swansong will, I hope, be worth waiting for. It will be longer than the others in the series and, of course, professionally presented. A little bit more good news to temper the bad perhaps is that Book 5 (as yet untitled) is also complete in synopsis form and waiting in the wings.
So, thank you again for your support and, as always, watch this space!
Regards to all,
Damien.
Searching for new author, came across your books, I was born in Bridgewater, moved to Wales 50 plus years back. I have family at Stringston, i can see the Quantocks an Hinkley Point. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.
Thank you very much, Babs! My pleasure π Glad you enjoyed them.
Best wishes,
Damien.
I found you completely by accident whilst trying to find some books for my kindle. I read all 3 of the Nick Dixon books in a week… just couldn’t put them down. Have just started swansong, and I was trying to find out if you had any more in the collection, so stumbled across this site. Am really pleased that more are on the way, and congratulations on your publishing deal. Really good stories, and I love the way they carry on from each other.
Thank you for getting in touch, Karen, and I’m glad you are enjoying the books.
I hope you like Swansong too!
Plenty more on the way…
With kind regards
Damien
Hi Damien,
I’ve just finished your fourth book. Have loved them all. I love your free-flowing style with such believable characters. I tend to mostly read British detective stories, and mate, yours are head and shoulders above the rest. Great stuff. Looking forward to the next ones in the series.
Regards from NZ,
Tom
Thank you, Tom. High praise indeed and much appreciated!
Book 5 – Dead Level – is finished and I’m about to start book 6, as yet untitled. Hope you enjoy them too.
Looking forward to the rugby!
Kind regards,
Damien
Just finishes “As the Crow Flies” WOW. It was outstanding and I was totally surprised in the ending. I have the other three loaded on my kindle and can not wait to get into them.
I love your style of writing. Can not put the book down.
Tom Coley
Thank you for your kind comments, Tom. I very much hope you enjoy the other books too!
Book 5 is on the way and there’s a link to a free short story on my homepage. Hope you’ve seen that?
Kind regards,
Damien
I have just read ‘Swansong’ absolutely brilliant. Love books where I can jump into the story, not sure you will under stand what I am trying to say. In plain English, I have read all your books and they are fantastic. The stories are all so completely different although we have Nick in each one, a man who is a whole rounded charater without drugs, booze or deep depression. A clever man with a life. I make him sound like a real person but that is how special your writing is and why the books are so brilliant to read.
Thank you for my hours of pleasure.
Looking forward to the next book.
Marie
Thank you very much for your kind comments, Marie! I’m glad you enjoyed the books.
Book 5 – Dead Level – is on the way and I’m hoping it will be out before Christmas. Book 6 is ready in outline too.
Thanks again for getting in touch!
With kind regards
Damien
Thank you so much for writing such “unable to put down” books.
Finished Head in the Sand this morning, will start Kick Back tonight.
Congratulations on your publishing contract and keep up the good work. Can’t wait for more.
Best Wishes
Val Spencer
Thank you, Val! Book 4 – Swansong – is on the way.
Kind regards
Damien
Hi, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your books. I can’t wait for the 4th one, but I’m pleased that your writing career is advancing. Im a 26 year old cardiology nurse and if my patients are reading I recommended your books, the patients which have read them tell me how much they’ve enjoyed them!!
Thank you for your books
Take care
One of your biggest fans
Victoria (:
Thank you for your kind comments, Victoria! I’m so glad you enjoyed the books and it’s great to know that they are helping your patients while away a few hours too. Book 4 – Swansong – is finished now and delivered to my editor…waiting nervously now for her comments!
Did you spot the Dixon short story? If not, you can find the links on my Facebook page.
Kind regards and thank you again!
Damien.
Looking forward to next Spring. It just confirms that self publishing works, and I hope it inspires others.
Janet
I hope so too, Janet! I always tell anyone who thinks they have a book in them that they’ve got no excuse now.
Kind regards
Damien.
Congratulations from Canada! Can’t wait to read your next book.
Good for you Damien, wishing you continued success!
Thank you very much, Christina!
Kind regards
Damien
Congratulations on the contract. I have just finished the 3 books in the series. Loved them and am eagerly awaiting more. Actually found your sight looking for an idea of when I could find Swansong and while disappointed that I will have to wait am very pleased for you.
Thank you very much, Gloria!
Just wanted to say how much my wife and I have enjoyed the first three of your Nick Dixon books. Without a doubt they are among the most enjoyable police fiction books we have ever read. I would say that you are up there with Peter James – hope you don’t find this insulting!
Looking forward very much to further books from you – and fully understand your need to take the commercial offer. Who knows – maybe screenplays to follow. Good luck and thanks for the excellent entertainment.
Sue & Mike Howell, Bishopsteignton, Devon.
Thank you very much for your kind comments, Michael, and I’m glad you enjoyed the books! Sorry about the wait for book 4 too.
Certainly not insulted no! A comparison to Peter James is quite a compliment, thank you π
Did you see the short story serialised in the Mid Somerset Gazette? If not, there’s a link to the final part in the Recent Facebook Posts in the right sidebar. Links to the previous episodes are in there too.
With kind regards and thank you again!
Damien