Linwood Barclay Book Signing

Been waiting a long time for this event to roll around. Booked the tickets immediately I heard about it , some time back in March this year. I was quite surprised to that Milton Keynes was on the list of designated venues.

Born in the USA,  but Toronto based since the age of four a New York Times bestselling author, with nearly twenty novels to his credit.

His books have been translated into more than two dozen language, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans

This isn't just a book signing though and we are given an hour long insight into his writing. He tells the guests of around 80 or so about his three decades in the newspaper industry.

Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.

The first book that I read was  ' No time for goodbye' published in 2007. It did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year here.

 I then read the four Zack Walker murder mystery series. I have heard that the 'Promise Falls' trilogy are also  a very good read.

There is a lot of talk naturally about his new offering 'Elevator Pitch'. He first of all those gathered if they are aware of the term 'Elevator Pitch'. Not many, me included had I must confess. He explained that An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does. ... A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. 

The story is set in Manhattan, an area that he knows very well. All the action takes place in the space of a week. 

I had a nice chat with Linwood afterwards , he told me that my favourite band RUSH actually did a gig at his High School. He is more aware of them rather a fan though.More of a Jazz man , in particular the Canadian Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson. 

“Read Elevator Pitch as soon as possible. It’s one hell of a suspense novel.”―Stephen King