I'm a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling thriller author

[Bestseller101]

• ask me anything!

Ooh, are you Denise Mina?

Commercial thrillers. Perhaps literary end.

Thanks @Bestseller101 I suspect my problem is with the book but maybe I should try powering through just once 😂

Do you make much money?

Jo Rowling, and I claim my £5. 😁

Did you ever think "I can't write because I'll never be Charles Dickens" - or is that just me?

How do you make sure that you aren't just subconsciously rewriting a novel you've read in the past? That would be my big worry if I were a writer.

How do you get the idea for the plot?

@breathequietly yes

How much are you prepared to alter if an editor thinks it's not very marketable? Do you have a deal-breaker eg you'll change details, characters, but not the plot? Do you ever feel restricted by the genre in which you have found fame and want to sidestep? Thanks for answering; it feels rude just demanding answers!

Do you design your own covers?

@Jewelanemone I think I'd remember that. When I'm making up a plot I really have to think about it a lot and work hard at it. If one came in one gulp I would worry about that.

@Coffeespill no, art department at my various publishers does

How much do you make per book sold?

@WombatCowgirl I'm very lucky to be afforded rather a lot of freedom but if my editor said something wasn't marketable I would listen as she would only say that wanting the best for me. I am asked to change things sometimes but they're only ever suggestions. Each edit note has made the book an awful lot better tbh.

That's interesting. My question is that when I write, which I do quite enjoy, I can never bother writing anything that isn't part of the core purpose of the story, so my writing tends towards poetry and short stories (and isn't publishable quality anyway, lol). When you write a whole book do you have sort of core plot line for this book outline, then, say character development of characters plotlines that go across several books if you have a set of characters like Strike and Robin, then padding, red herrings etc?

The plotting of thrillers seems like it's fiendishly more complex to actually do than a reader might think?

@Coffeespill it doesn't really work like that because I get advances that I have to earn out first. But once that's done about 10-25% of list price depending on how much it's discounted and the precise format it's in.

Do you have to do a huge amount of marketing /book tours etc?

This is v interesting thanks

@GreatAuntMaude your second question answers the first really. I don't really do subplots and for me every word moves the main plot along. So yes, even without padding, a thriller is long and lean and complex

Following agent rejection, do you think generally writers should redraft and redraft, or just try a new novel?

@breathequietly I do a UK book tour most years. Sometimes US. Sometimes go to other countries for literary festivals.

@speedtalker entirely depends: if it's a problem with the execution, rewrite. If it's a problem with the hook, new idea.

Rude

Are your books standalone stories or part of a series?

And if part of a series, how hard is it to get the continuity right?

Do you do a lot of background research?

SL?

Are your initials SL? 😜

I'm very jealous. I tried really hard in my 20’s to write a book and thought I ended up with something to be proud of… sent it everywhere and nothing so gave up. (Still think it was good though 😂) You should be so proud, and also echo the PP who said the book club questions at the end are always great.