Tag: exhibition

About That Big Event

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, gods of gold, leeds, skin like silver, the tin god, tom harper, two bronze pennies4 Comments

Well, it happened. Last week my exhibition A Copper’s Eye: Tom Harper’s Leeds 1890-1920 opened at Leeds Libraries. Then Monday night saw the event to go with it. Was it a big deal? Yes, it really was, the culmination of the biggest thing I’ve done in my life.

A celebration of Tom and Annabelle Harper, yes, as the series them ended with the publication of Rusted Souls (the Morning Star termed the series “a testament to historical crime fiction”). But it also celebrated a slice of Leeds history, the period covedred in the books, with some of the real events who were in the books.

I astonished everyone by turning up in a suit and tie, the first time most had ever seen me dressed up, and not even directly from a court appearance. I talked, but there were also mirco lectures from suffrage historian Vine Pemberton Joss, on the 1894 Local Government Act and the 1908 Suffragette Riot. Dr. Anna Reeve explained how ancient Cypriot poterry ended up in The Iron Water (fitting, as she told me about it in the first place).

The great political figure Tom Maguire was represented, with one of his poems set to music and performed by industrial ballad singer Jennifer Reid. You can listen to it here.

And the Harpers? Daughter Mary was there in the flesh (played by Amy McCann. Annabelle couldn’t make it, but we did have a recording of a speech she gave when campaigning to become a Poor Law Guardian in 1897. Hear her right here.

The librarians were oncredible, putting out some wonderful artefacts and helping things to go far more smoothly than they should with no run-through or rehearsal.

People seemed to like it. About 50 showed up on a rainy Monday night, and the Lord Mayor told me she’s a fan of the books.

I was drained when the adrenaline finally left my system. But I was happy. I think I’ve written Tom and Annabelle into the fabric of Leeds history, and that’s the best tribute I can pay them. They were Leeds.

Meanwhile, here’s a gallery of some of the sights and sounds from Monday night for those who couldn’t attend. And remember, you can still but Rusted Souls.

A Copper’s Eye

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, leeds, tom harper3 Comments

Well, it’s happened.

A Copper’s Eye: Tom Harper’s Leeds 1890-1920 exhibition has opened in the Family and History Library at Leeds Central Library, available to enjoy whenever the library is open.

I spent for days last week hanging it, and much of the week before that gluing pictures and the posters to the foam boards to go on the wall.

It’s been stressful, no doubt about that, and the biggest thing I’ve ever done, definitely stretching me – which may or may not be a good thing. The jury’s still out on that one.

From conception to opening has taken about two months. A blink of an eye, although it feels like so much longer. But I’m hugely honoured that someone wants to give space to Tom and Annabelle and the series that the Morning Star said will “stand for some time as one of the monuments of historical crime fiction.”

More than that, it’s a celebration of the city I love, that raised me.

Have a very quick look around.

Next Monday will see an event as part of it all, with micro-talks, special music, an actor, and more.

This labour of love is wonderful, it’s cemented the Harpers firmly into Leeds history.

But this is the very last exhibition I will ever do.

Meanwhile, please don’t forget this…

A Book, A Launch, And An Exhibition

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, gods of gold, skin like silver, tom harper, two bronze penniesLeave a comment

Just over a week until Rusted Souls is officially published. But what’s in a date? People are already buying it and reading it and I feel honoured by the effect Tom and Annabelle have on people: “There were times when I held my breath and yes, times when I cried. An outstanding ending chapter to an outstanding saga. You create characters that not only become “family” to you but who become very real people to your readers as well.”

That feels like one of the best tributes possible.

Now I have to hope all of you feel the same when you read it. Please, buy it if you can. If you can’t, ask your public library to order in a copy. It means a lot to me to have people read this one.

If you can, then come to the book launch at Chapel Allerton library in Leeds. It’s Thursday, September 14. Free, and even some wine, but do book a place – the link is in the pic. Places are minited, the library is small.

Rusted Souls, indeed, the entire eleven books of the Tom Harper series, are the basis for the exhibition A Copper’s Eye: Tom Harper’s Leeds, 1890-1920, which is less than a month away now. I think – hope – I’m on top of things. And I’m still organising the event on October 2, going through everything on show, and with some special guests.

Again, it’s free, but book you’re place right here. Hand on my heart, they’re going quickly (17 in less than a week with no announcement).

Meanwhile, I’m also working through the publisher’s edit for the next Simon Westow, out next spring. No rest for the wicked, indeed.

A Week Of Big News – Literally

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, leeds, tom harper4 Comments

Definitely been quite a week for me, Tom and Annabelle, and Rusted Souls. The first part I’ve known for a little while, but had to wait until it was published.

Booklist, one of the big US trade magazines, put out its review of Rusted Souls. Both Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews had given it starred reviews – could it do the treble? Not quite, although it’s everything but. How about this?

“Nickson’s excellent historical police procedural shows what
policing was like before computers, surveillance cameras, and national crime databases, and
while readers may find the pacing slow in the first part of the story, they will soon be utterly
gripped by a riveting, very human, very heartbreaking story with suspense, fast-paced action,
vivid characters, and an unexpected tearjerker of an ending in this last book of Nickson’s
magnificent Tom Harper series.”

Wow, right?

That’s the kind of thing to make a heart sing. But then, on Saturday, the Yorkshire Post published a two-page feature on me, Rusted Souls, the Tom Hraper series, and the upcoming exhibition I’m preparing based on the books, called A Copper’s Eye: Tom Harper’s Leeds, 1890-1920. Quite something.

Don’t forget that Rusted Souls is out next month (but shops are selling it already). If you can afford it, I’d greatly appreciate you buying a hardback or ebook of it. If not, your library will gladly order it it for you.

Thank you – and I’m still over the moon.

The Week Of Wonders

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, gods of gold, leeds, simon westow, tom harper, two bronze pennies2 Comments

It’s been quite a week – well, a week and a half, really. Today I’m just going to stop and catch my breath, because I feel I’ve been going full tilt.

It all began with my publisher sending me the review for Rusted Souls from Publishers Weekly, one of the big US literary trades. A good review in the trades can certainly boost sales. So I’d been waiting nervous, even though the book isn’t out until September 5. And…it was a starred review. What I’d been dreaming and crossing my fingers to have.

“It all culminates in a knockout conclusion that showcases Nickson’s unique blend of intricate plotting and well-rounded character development.”

Wow.

Then a meeting with Leeds Libraries to finalize details for the exhibition A Copper’s Eye: Tom Harper’s Leeds, 1890-1920. It’s going to run in the Family History Library at Leeds Central Library from September 25 to October 7, with photos from the Leodis archive, artefacts and more to illustrate the real incidents and people from the books. The event will have a few guests to spotlight items, plus a recorded song by Jennifer Reid (Gallows Pole), who’s set a poem by Leeds socialist politician Tom Maguire to music.

Then another review from the US trades, Kirkus Reviews. I was overwhelmed when they gave it a starred review, sating “The 11th and final installment of Nickson’s Tom Harper series ties up all the loose ends and breaks your heart…an excellent procedural paints a painfully accurate portrait of dealing with dementia.”

I was floating – I’m sure you can imagine.

Then, on eBay, I discovered a token for the Green Dragon Inn, in Leeds. In the Simon Westow novels, Jane lives in a cottage with Mrs Shields located behind Green Dragon Yard. What could I do? I bought it.

The real highlight came last Friday. I’d discovered online that a former English teacher of mine would be visiting my old school, and an old classmate happened to have his email. The teacher is someone I’ve long wanted to thank, because he was the first to encourage my writing. I emailed, and he remembered me. Not only that, he told me that way back then, he’d sent some of my poems to a New Writing programme on Radio Leeds, although nothing ever happened.

By the time we briefly met on Friday at the school, he was halfway through the second of my books that he’d read, and I gave him two more. And finally I had a chance to say thank you to a teacher who helped change my life.

Finally, yesterday I was interviewed for a piece about Rusted Souls, the Tom Harper series and the exhibition for an article to appear in a few weeks in the Yorkshire Post. Details to follow…

You can pre-order Rusted Souls in hardback – here is the cheapest price, with free UK postage. If you haven’t started the series yet, the first two books, Gods of Gold and Two Bronze Pennies, are under £3 on Kindle in the UK.

An Exhibition And Event

On By chrisnickson2In annabelle harper, leeds, tom harperLeave a comment

As you may know. September will mark the publication of Rusted Souls, the 11th and final Tom Harper novel. Set in 1920, it takes place at the very end of Tom’s career. He’s now Chief Constable of Leeds, but there are still three cases he wants resolved before he walks into retirement.

If you’re registered on NetGalley with Severn House, the book is now available to read. I hope you will, and leave a review; that would be hugely appreciated.

To makr the end of this era, I’m working with the excellent Leeds Libraries on an event an exhibition in early October. The working title is A Copper’s View: Leeds Through Tom Harper’s Eyes, 1890-1920. It’s going to highlight some of the real Leeds history from the books, using photos from the Leodis photo archives and artefacts from different collections. It should be a unqiue glimpse into 30 years of great changes in our city.

There will also be an event in the Family History Library of the Central Library – where the exhibition takes place. I’ll be going through the things we’ve used and how they relate to the books, and to Tom and, of course, Annabelle and Mary. Expect something very personal, including Annabelle’s election as a Poor Law Guardian and the Victoria public house. The exact date is yet to be confirmed, but it’ll be in the first two weeks of April. The should be plenty of places, and it will be free, but you’ll need to reserve a seat. There may even be a couple of special guests. We’ll see.

In the meantime, if you’re not on NetGalley, you can pre-order Rusted Souls. If you’re in the UK, the cheapest hardback price, by far, is here, and includes free postage. It’s good, worth your money, I promise you that. If you haven’t begun the series yet, both Gods of Gold and Two Bronze Pennies, the first two Harper books, are currently £2.84 each for Kindle.