The Journey So Far
It has been two years today since I signed my first ever publishing contract with the amazing digital publisher, Bookouture. And what an unbelievable two years it has been.
When I signed that initial contract for 4 Kim Stone books I had no idea what to expect. The excitement at having an actual real life publisher feel the same passion for my books as I did wiped away 25 years of rejection.
I worked with the most fantastic editor, Keshini Naidoo, on getting Silent Scream ready for publication I continued to work 12 hour night shifts in a job that I hated. Each night I would head off to work and live the reality of my working life while trying to comprehend what was happening in my other, happier, dream-like writing life.
Together Bookouture and I stepped into the unknown. First crime thriller for Bookouture and first book of any kind for me. Neither of us was prepared for the response when Silent Scream was released in February 2015. Two days after it’s release it hit the #1 spot on Amazon and stayed there for a month. I continued to work night shifts wondering if this was really happening or was I actually dreaming it. Either way I didn’t want it to end.
In mid March my workplace introduced compulsory overtime which left almost no time to write and with the second book – Evil Games – due to be released in May I decided to leave my job. It was a gamble but one I wouldn’t change for anything.
Those first few months were like nothing I have ever experienced before. The excitement was compounded even further when the tornado that is Lorella Belli began to sell the foreign rights to the Kim Stone series. Every single deal has been a unique and gratifying experience. It is mind blowing that a voice that existed only in my head for so many years now speaks 19 languages.
Even more surprises were in store when, through Bookouture, I signed a print only deal with Bonnier Publishing for the first three Kim Stone books and have now had the pleasure of seeing my books appear in the shops. In addition I also signed with Bookouture for a further 8 books bringing the total to sixteen.
Unbelievably, sales of the Kim Stone books have now hit more than 1.7 million copies and only a couple of weeks ago the fifth book – Blood Lines – hit the Amazon UK #1 position on pre-orders alone.
I feel truly blessed every day to have met some of the most wonderful bloggers and reviewers who took Kim Stone to their hearts and continue to champion every step of her journey. Along the way I have been so fortunate to meet many incredibly talented and generous authors who I am now lucky enough to call friends.
My partner, Julie, continues to offer support and encouragement just as she did throughout the long years of rejection. Just as we shared the disappointment we have shared the triumph.
I remain truly grateful to the passionate and driven team at Bookouture for giving me an opportunity to share my work with so many fantastic readers and in saying yes when everyone else said no.
The journey has continued to amaze and thrill me and I was asked only the other day by a fellow author if the excitement ever goes away and I can say with absolute honesty that, no, it never does.
Here’s to the next two years, whatever they may hold.
Your books are brilliant can’t wait to read blood line.
Aww, I love this Angie, so happy that you’ve been able to fulfill your dream. It’s been a pleasure and a joy to witness it. xx
A well deserved success I am a pb reader but for you I have read on eBook but only for you. I lent my daughter your first book and she and her partner are both fans and buy their own books now! Keep up the good work please
thank god someone believed in you ,for me and all your readers ,karin slaughter ,karen rose have been my mainstay over the years but now its your books i look to first ,enjoy your fantastic
Well done!! X
Dear Angela
How lovely to read about your journey with Kim
You know I’m probably your first and most devoted Dutch fan, who fortunately is able to read English perfectly well
As ever I say you sell your books to cheap
But most likely you will again reply that money is not your goal
True as it might be, or should I say is, I’m glad to read you can finally make a living of them and were able to leave a non satisfying job
I wish you and us many many more Kim books
Big hug and let me know if ever you are in Holland
Wonderful and inspiring! Angie, you are the best. XXX
Angela, I’m not surprised your first book Silent Scream was such a success and the following books were even better. I was immediately hooked on Silent Scream and Kim Stone. I ordered the next two halfway through the first book and have introduced you and Kim Stone to my friends and family. I can’t wait (although I’ll have to) to read Bloodlines and find out whatever else you have in store for Kim. Keep writing as well as you are Angela, you ard so very talented and you have such a dedicated following even me at 68 yrs old. Lol!
I read your first 4 books and totally love love loved them! Can’t wait to get my hands on the fourth. I bought all through Amazon and I’m going to donate to my local library in Jackson MN so others can enjoy as much as I did. Your character development is great! Very Well written ! Thank you!
Guts, determination, and artistry, all there in one account. Not sure which golfer said it, I hate golf, but one of them said “The harder I practice, the luckier I get” In Angela’s case, the harder I work, the more I believe, the more successful I get.
Well Done Angela
Your name is at the top of my favorite authors list. I love reading these Kim Stone thrillers. Thank you for your talent and effort. I’d say, leaving your day job was an excellent move. Keep up the great work! Thank you!
Thank you for writing this piece, Angie. Despite your great success, you remain a lovely gracious human being, which makes me love you all the more. Congratulations on your accomplishments, and I cannot wait to continue the Kim Stone (and anything else you write) journey with you.
Totally inspiring story. Huge congrats, Angie.
I’m reading book number two. You are a fantastic writer. I can only hope to finally get my book finished. I love the camaraderie you have with Caroline and others. What great support systems for each other. Too bad I’ll never see you at a book signing as I live in the U.S.
Awwww, I’m so happy it’s finally working out for you! As you know, I adore you’re books, especially Kim, but also impressed by your other books too. I honestly believe if you published a shopping list your fans would love it, simply because you have a very rare talent, being able to make your readers fall in love with the character.
Congratulations Angela, and long may it last, love Mel xx
WOW! I HAVE JUST COMPLETED ALL FIVE BOOKS ABOUT KIM STONE WHOM I ADMIRE AND TRUST COMPLETELY, JUST AS I FEEL I WOULD YOU, THE BOOKS ARE EVERYTHING I LOOK FOR IN MY READING AND IT SEEMS YOU DO IT EFFORTLESSLY. I TRULY LOVE EACH BOOK AND CANNOT WAIT UNTIL MY DAUGHTER FINDS TIME TO READ THEM, SHE HAS A SIX YEAR OLD SON…NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO UNTIL YOUR NEXT BOOK COMES OUT! THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DAYS AND EVENINGS SO ENJOYABLE!
Terrific series the best I have read in years the only thing I cannot understand is how you had twenty five years of rejection. Can’t wait for the next one
Hi Angie. My twin brother recommended your first book Silent Scream to me last month…so started it on November 2nd….and I am proud to say that today I’ve finished your latest (#5) book Blood Lines today! I am grateful both to you and my brother! I have really enjoyed ALL five Kim Stone books and I am looking forward to the next one. I love all the characters, especially Kim. She is complex, interesting, vulnerable, strong…..an amazing character. Well done and thank god for your perseverance!
Angela, I’ve read every single one of your books and have just finished Blood Lines. I can easily say it is your best yet! I hope I don’t have too long to wait until the next one. I always feel a sense of loss when I have to say ‘goodbye’ to Kim and her friends until the next time. Can’t wait to hear more about the characters in the books and perversely hope to see more about Alex too! Well done on another great book! Charlotte x
I have read, and loved all of your Kim Stone novels and l can’t wait to read your next book. Congratulations on getting all of your works published, well done and thank you.
I have just finished the second Kim Stone book and I can’t wait to start the next one. I have been a bookworm all my life and I can’t thank you enough for giving me such continued pleasure!
How wonderful to realise your dream as a writer, an inspiring story to others out there wanting to achieve the same.
I look forward to reading the remaining Kim Stone books – please keep writing!!
Just finished the second book,and again another cracker.25 years of reflection has made you more determined,you deserve the accolades.
Haven’t found Tesco in Blackheath,or is that authors licence!??
Good luck.Geoff
Love the Kim Stone detective series. You have made her such an interesting character with so many complexities. I look forward to reading more great stories of her & her team.
Just finished Blood Lines in 3 days and Wow, I wasn’t expecting that finish.
Delighted you gave up the day job to realise your dream of becoming an author. I did something similar at 51 and started my own business and never regretted a day of being self employed. Retired now and have taken up reading again and it’s so relaxing, even with the excitement of what’s going on in your books.
They say we all have a book inside us and I could tell loads of stories of being an Estate Agent in the North East of England. From aged dead bodies in houses, to murder properties to sell to ‘hunted’ houses. No, no, no I am not starting a new career as an author, I will leave that you Angela. Carry on with the good work.
Just started reading Lost Girls. Cant put it down. Look forward to reading more books about Kim Stone.
Thanks Angela. I love Kim Stone, especially your fourth book which I finished at 2 a.m. this morning. It was the best of the four but I have loved them all. What seemed so fascinating to me was your insight into human nature, and the descriptions of Jemima coming out of her coma (Wow!), etc. I would recommend this series to every reader, whether you like detective yarns, mystery or just a plain good old read.
I loved reading about the English countryside, the towns big and small, the weather – all of it – as I have been away from the land of my birth for a very long time. Thanks again, Angela.
P.S. I hope you keep Barney in the stories. I already love that dog.
I came across your books through Amazon. Though I am an avid reader, Life gets in the way…with my wife who is chronically ill, a (mostly) full time job and a full time rescue for animals, there was very little reading time available. I started listening to recorded books on my tablet. So glad I found your books and Kim Stone novels. Being from the States, it is like being able to travel to England for a vacation of mystery solving…JUST WHAT THIS WOMAN NEEDED! I’m excited to read that you have signed on for 8 more books….I hope Kim Stone keeps ’em coming, along with her partner! Thank you for sharing your talent.
Kit Jensen, a new but loyal fan!
Just finish the Silent Scream most enjoyable. As I live in the area l can relate to the places mentioned but was upset by the derogatory comments about the Bull and Bladder pub. It is old fashioned but I’ve always found it spotlessly clean and the food good and is always crowded which speaks for itself
I am halfway through book # 5 and have seldom enjoyed a series so much. The combination of the fascinating and complex Kim Stone combined with the penetration and empathy displayed in creating all of the other characters held my interest from the first, and your ability to create suspense and totally believable plots is a joy. I hope and trust you will keep up this great series! .
Waiting for the next ones….. Just finished Dead Souls. Excellent story teller
Dear Angela
I love love love your books. when i get a new one, im holed up in my room till im done.
however, this one started out great but almost 2/3 of the book i didnt recognize Kim. I love her fiesty exterior
and softness way down deep inside. But i think i understand what you were trying to get across to us. As you said, you wanted to try her out with someone other than her team. i think that worked well and she really wanted to please Woody. but in the end ,the old Kim was back doing what she does best; kickin’ butts and not caring whose toes she steps on, except her lovabe partner and sometimes
Woody. And she always gets the bad guys. By that time im off the edge of my seat, on the floor.
Please hurry and write another one! You are my favorite author!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed the first four DI Stone books, managed two in three days and can’t wait to read book five. It’s been a while since I was so engrossed in a character and compelling story line. Write faster please! 😉 x
Well Angela, you have me hooked! I just used a hole years subscription at Amazon on your books . Loving them ! Thank you for not giving up. Kind regards Winn
The pace of this book is relentless, it had me guessing the whole way through and just when I thought I knew what was going, another theory was ruled out! Marsons currently has a 8 book deal for DI Kim Stone which I am very grateful for as I don’t want Stone to go anywhere just yet!
Absolutely love your books I am just going to start Dead Souls.The twists in your books are brilliant I think I know who it is and then it’s not.Cant wait for your new one that’s coming soon.Glad you have made such a success of your writing.Congratulations and well done.My daughter is also a avid fan xx