Keep scrolling for updates, events, recipes and free puppies.
Well, what do you know?
March 25th 2024
I know, I know; nowt for 24 years, then I post twice in 24 hours.
It’s just that while I’m in Hit & Split mode, I noticed that (after what feels like a lifetime) things are taking off somewhat. Today my rankings in kindle books aren’t too shabby.
It seems that Hit & Split is:
#3 in Military Thrillers
#5 in Vigilante Justice, and
#8 in International Mystery & Crime
If there was category for Vigilante, Revenge, Heartwarming/Heartwrenching, Funny books with a green cover, a central character known as Staffy and exactly 383 pages, I’d have probably hit #1 in the rankings.
Oh no, wait, there’s that other one.
Forget it.
About Time
March 24th 2024
Apologies, it’s been too long. But…
Drum roll.
In response to emails from literally tens of readers of Hit & Split, I’m doing my final read through of the follow up yarn, Rescue & Redemption. It may be a modestly sized reader base, but I’m happy, because you’re an enthusiastic and sincere bunch.
So I’ll keep you abreast (I do like that word) as things progress.
I’d like to find an enthusiastic designer to lightly re-work the front cover of Hit & Split, and to make a new cover for Rescue & Redemption -one that has an appropriately similar visual style. Do reach out, if that sounds like you.
Oh, and I’m so happy with how Rescue & Redemption has turned out, it is without doubt a worthy successor.
Presidential Invite
August 10th, 2023
This morning I was guest speaker at Simsbury CT’s Rotary Club. The club president apparently enjoyed reading Hit & Split -enough to have invited me to chat with the club members.
Oh, you thought I meant the US President? No, I don’t think he’s read it yet. To be honest, I’m not really sure what he’d make of the way that Anglo-US relationships were portrayed. I do know that somebody in DC has read Hit & Split (and thoroughly enjoyed it) but that’s another story, and almost certainly one I cannot tell.
Any way, I thought it appropriate to formally thank the club for “having me”. That’s what we say in the UK; every Brit has memories of their Mum asking, “Simon, did you thank your Auntie Edna for having you?”
So thank you all for having me, for being so patient, and for asking so many interesting questions, which gave me a break from hearing my own voice. Now I should go start on ‘Stranded in Simsbury’, which I’m told should be the title of my next book…
Intermission # 6: Arty Pics
After the mess you made with your popcorn, let’s go with nachos for this intermission.
I shot these for TV (the Discovery Channel’s Cafe Racer series). The idea was to have a green-screen backdrop, in-front of which subject experts would be interviewed. So I shot a couple of season’s worth of images, all with subject relevance, yet suitably artistic, so that: 1. They’d add an intangible beauty, 2. Not distract from the interviewed subject, and 3. Appeal to the nerd in us bikers (by guessing what the object was, and where it came from).
This was one of the few times I was able to shoot in my own unique style, encouraged even. And I loved it.
…and I’m spent. There’s not even any film in the camera.
Kindle Unlimited, innit
July 1st, 2023
Hit & Split is now available in the Kindle Unlimited library, meaning it’s eligible for free borrowing on your kindle device.
I understand that it can also be read on other digital devices, but I’m not the world’s pre-eminent authority on that. It’s not because I’m still reading chiseled stones and grunting at my wooden club; it’s just that I spend most days writing on a computer. So when personal reading time comes around -it’s paper time for my screen-weary eyes.
Did that sound disrespectful to my wooden club? Wince.
This free KU option (yeah baby, I know the acronyms, innit) is not just restricted to the US market where the book was initially published.
Here are the most commonly needed KU links,
State of the Nation?
June 8th, 2023
Today the New England sky is unnatural and disconcerting; as a photographer it’s as if the white balance of the world is maladjusted. The wildfires to the north have also made the air smell and taste ‘off’, throwing your innate sense of normality with it.
If I’d been helicoptered in without the benefit of context, I’d have guessed this was the edge of a conflict zone. Although that illusion would have been short lived, as there are far too many people ambling around in monochrome crossovers: phone in one hand, pricey coffee in the other, checking items off their to-do lists, while seemingly oblivious to this end-of-the-world backdrop.
No, I’m not writing a magazine piece here. This is more a ‘State of the Nation’ type address, or at least a ‘state of the follow-up stories’.
Hit & Split sells, readers contact me, visitors frequent the sites looking for more info, and the amazon reviews roll in. I’m truly uplifted to learn that you’ve enjoyed reading Hit & Split so much. When this started, I worked very hard to do more than just write a one-off story; instead, I aimed to create a whole world that you’d want to return to, time after time.
The second story is complete, and the expectation (coming from my professional non-fiction background) was that if Hit & Split resonated with readers and professionals, the follow-up story would be published by a traditional publisher.
But the current fiction market is unrecognisably different from the non-fiction world I know so well. Due to the nuclear explosion in self-publishing, it is swamped with content, from both experienced writers and raw novices. Reaching a wide audience therefore becomes the primary challenge, and offers of dubious solutions roll in continuously.
The bottom line is that I had no intention of independently publishing the second story, but I’d made one terribly flawed assumption -the idea that passionate readers, and a publisher, would arrive hand-in-hand.
Instead I find myself uplifted and humbled by how lovely some of my readers are, in spite of the conspicuous absence of a traditional publisher. So here we are; too many of you have made it clear to me that you’re expecting ‘Rescue & Redemption’, and expecting it soon. So, consider it done.
I’ll keep you posted about the release date here …and the photos? Well, it’s Toby’s British passport. Of course.
Intermission # 5: Reader Fun
I have the best readers, and I’m very grateful for that. My sincere thanks go out to the readers who sent in Hit & Split selfies. You guys really are the coolest! Yeah, one of those ‘readers’ is actually the writer, but I couldn’t resist joining in…
Keep them coming!
Another Respected Reviewer
April 6th, 2023
Well, this is fun news!
A couple previously took home Hit & Split, after a book reading. The gent was Dr John Feierabend, and they let me know their intention was to read the book whilst on holiday. I’ve just received their feedback, plus permission to share it.
“I finished the book in two days… the delay was because I had to eat. These are great characters, so well fleshed out I knew, and cared for, each of them. Great screenplay; great film noir. Toby is right up there with Rowling’s Cormoran Strike, and Clancy’s Jack Ryan. Please continue with these wonderful characters… I really was sad to say goodbye to them.”
The reason I’m sharing this, is that John is a notable author himself.
When combined with the similar words from a former writer for The Times newspaper in London, and from the publishing industry’s own Kirkus Reviews -this is becoming a pattern.
Intermission #4: Purdy Pictures
I first started the magazine work back in 2001, with interviews of high-profile people within the motorsports world. Accompanying images soon followed, and photography quickly grew to be a large part of my professional work.
So it’s time for a variety of images, and some popcorn, to break up the words.
That’s it, put the popcorn away butterfingers. Really, it’s getting on your keyboard.
Magazine Inclusion
Feb 15th, 2023
Today Hit & Split appears within the Kirkus Reviews printed magazine, which is distributed within the publishing and TV/film industry.
To have earned such a positive online review from Kirkus was encouraging enough, but to be selected as one of the few worthy of mention in their printed magazine takes it to another level. The digital edition of this printed magazine can be viewed in full here (page 145).
Intermission #3: About… Turn!
The first time I was interviewed to promote one of my non-fiction books felt slightly odd, considering everything had started with me interviewing others.
This particular interview was an interesting landmark though, because instead of happening in response to an outgoing request from a publisher, it was an incoming request to me personally.
Its informal nature allowed me to have some fun with the answers…
Kirkus Reviews
December 13th, 2022
Kirkus just reviewed my newest book, Hit & Split.
This is newsworthy because Kirkus is renowned within the publishing industry. They’ve been reviewing books, and introducing household-name authors, since 1933.
Kirkus’ reviewers are all industry professionals (in contrast to amateur reviewers elsewhere) who are infamous for being brutally, and unapologetically, honest. It’s accepted that a scathingly critical review, is more likely than complimentary and flattering. For this reason, Kirkus was at the top of my list. My reasoning was simple; if their judgement was damning, it would be evidence that I had no business deluding myself about a switch to fiction.
Thankfully, Hit & Split was declared an, “engaging… intriguing… appealing… humorous… emotional… dramatic… well-paced page-turner…” and the cherry on the top was their parting words, “…introducing a surprisingly endearing hero.”
So I have added Kirkus’ review headline to the front cover, distinguishing Hit & Split from other debut novels.
Intermission #2: Previous Projects
As the magazine work took off I started to build a name for myself, which opened doors within the non-fiction book world. Here are some traditionally published titles I’ve been involved with.
Torrington Reading
November 13th, 2022
Thanks to Howard’s Bookstore in Torrington CT for hosting the reading and signing for Hit & Split. Thanks also go to photographer Jamie J. Tilley who took these lovely images. Finally, a sincere thank you to all who came to the event and asked such intelligent questions, it was a joy chatting with everyone in such a warm, relaxed environment.
Reading Invitation, Torrington CT
33Fuel Competition; Winners Announced
October 25th, 2022
As some of you already know, last week we ran a fun collaboration with 33Fuel, to win some of their Amore bars. Simultaneously 33Fuel ran a competition to win signed copies of my new book, Hit & Split.
I’d like to congratulate the 33Fuel winners, who were chosen by a rotating algorithm, for fairness. I have no idea what that term actually means (rotating algorithm, not fairness) but we did it any way.
So congratulations to:
- Amanda Morales
- Grayson Alesio
- James Brooke
I’ll be reaching out to the winners personally, to arrange the specifics of getting their packs of Amore bars sent out.
Now I’m going to make myself a cup of tea, proofread something new about Toby ‘Staffy’ Miller, and enjoy my very own 33Fuel Amore bar.
Thanks for participating everybody.
Intermission #1: Where It All Began
In 2001, I was working within marketing; building a new overseas territory for a US manufacturer. Our products were already being worn by a particularly notorious group of riders, but the industry didn’t like them; neither who they were, or what they were doing. So these riders were outcasts, and they were happy to embrace that role.
I however, saw the opportunity in this situation, and pushed for the relevant publications to finally acknowledge their existence, arguing that the ‘ostrich approach’ wasn’t working any way. I suggested a story where the anger which was felt towards them, would finally be put out in the open, in the form of a face-to-face interview, and one brave editor saw the validity in my journalistic reasoning.
The resulting interview stirred up a ton of controversy, and the defiant responses might offend some, but this interview was the first honest and open acknowledgement of the founders of the ‘street extreme’ movement.
An infamous landmark, and my first professionally published work.
Simsbury Reading
October 29th, 2022
A fun afternoon in the autumn sun at A Spoonful of Britain in Simsbury CT, where we had a reading and signing of Hit & Split. Thanks to the store owners for busting out the English tea and biscuits, and to everyone who attended. It really was a pleasure to meet you all. I do hope you’re now completely immersed in the book.
A Spoonful of Britain also keep the book in stock, so if you’re a CT or MA local you can head over there, open up the pages and take a sniff before buying. Even read a few pages (If that’s your thing. I won’t judge) it’s your call.
Reading Invitation, Simsbury CT
A High Profile Reader
September 22nd, 2022
I am proud to be able to share this.
I have been aware of the identity behind a recently posted, five-star review, for my debut thriller Hit & Split. But I have now been given permission to share that the aforementioned review was written by Warren Pole, known for his work as Features & Investigations writer for: The Times, The Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday and The Guardian newspapers. All are household names in the United Kingdom.
Warren went out of his way to pose for this photo in the Paddington area of London.
So why did he do that?
Because it is the location used for The Bourne Supremacy movie. And Mister Pole explained how he believes that the Toby stories (Hit & Split being the first) are worthy of being turned into comparably popular productions. So he thought it fitting.
Warren’s review appears below, in full.
Stunning debut, totally immersive thriller
This is a simply incredible debut novel from an author we’re going to be hearing a lot more from. I read a lot of thrillers and this is up there with the best while genuinely outclassing plenty of major household names.
In Hit & Split Green manages the very neat trick of serving up a truly engaging and utterly enjoyable, relaxing read while simultaneously delivering a dense and devilish rollercoaster of a plot that draws you in and doesn’t let go, all of it played out with a deep cast of engaging and believable characters.
Better still, Hit & Split genuinely brings something new to the thriller genre with a unique ability to take the reader into the personal worlds of the characters on all sides making them more rounded than the average good/bad thriller dynamic and even more satisfying as a result.
All in all, a total winner, can’t wait to see what Green writes next.
Warren Pole, former Features and Investigations Writer, for The Times/The Daily Telegraph/The Guardian/The Mail on Sunday, in the UK.
Writer’s Perspective
Hit & Split is a story about diplomatic immunity.
Whether it’s about an abuse of diplomatic immunity, is a matter of opinion. As the famous bard wrote, ‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so’. Smart bloke, the bard.
As a young man, I was in a position to learn that diplomats serving overseas are not subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of us. As the years have rolled on, I’ve seen a multitude of news stories about incidents where a diplomat left a country to escape consequences, which for anybody else, would surely have been dire.
The most recent diplomatic immunity incident took place a few years ago and either affected me more deeply, or my patience finally ran out. I’m honestly not sure which. Probably some combination of the two, as is usually the way.
I was driven to write a novel, to make some small contribution to the voices already calling for a change in diplomatic immunity agreements. As the storyline will illustrate, I understand the various perspectives involved, and how depressingly complex a matter this is. But the motivation was that simple, and the turbulent emotions contained within the book, came from the heart.
Regarding the finished article, the words seem to have landed on the pages in the right order, and I think the book has turned out to be much smarter than the author who created it.
Finally…
You wouldn’t want any of my recipes anyway. Just threw up in my mouth at the idea.
And the puppies? Some days I do feel like giving him away, but again, I really don’t think you’d want him. I mean, look at that coat hanging on the chair -it doesn’t have a hope.