I have a feeling Graeme Cumming must have been linked to buses in the past because, never having been on Linda’s Book Bag before, here he is for the second time in a week! Graeme was due to be one of the authors at the Deepings Literary Festival read dating last Saturday but of course, that event has had to be postponed. You can read about the authors who would have been attending here.

Today, I’m delighted to support Graeme and Kelly of Love Books Group by staying in with Graeme to hear all about his latest book.

Staying in with Graeme Cumming

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Graeme. Such a shame we didn’t get together last weekend but thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

As you know, I’ve had the pleasure of spending time in your company a few times in the past, so was delighted to grab the opportunity to do it again. It should be fun – I hope!

It does feel odd not to see you in person! I think I might have guessed, but which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

I suspect this won’t come as a big surprise to you, but I’ve brought my new release, Carrion. Of course it’s because it’s just out, but also because this was a really tricky story to put together – for a variety of reasons – and it took several attempts to get it just right. So I’m really chuffed with how it’s turned out.

Interesting. Tell me more about what we can expect from an evening in with Carrion.

Well, I’d say it’s a thriller but, like my previous novel, Ravens Gathering, it’s a thriller that crosses genres – sometimes a story doesn’t fit neatly into a box. Fantasy is an element, but Carrion isn’t a fantasy novel: it’s an action-adventure with dark undertones, twists and turns, and the odd cliff-hanger thrown in for good measure.

Sounds brilliant. It really annoys me when we’re forced to put books into precise genres and I like the idea of crossing the boundaries.

Really, I just wanted to grab the reader by the throat and take them along for the ride – but I didn’t want it to be too predictable. From the early feedback I’ve received, I think I’ve pretty much achieved that.

Here’s a very brief extract to give you a flavour of it:

“You’ll die for that!” one of the guards yelled. He raised his sword, ready to charge. Behind him, the others were preparing to do the same.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

He probably saw the doubt in their eyes before they registered it themselves. It wasn’t enough to feed off yet. But it would be when it turned to fear.

“Have I introduced you to my friends?” He didn’t wait for an answer. The wings were beating before he’d finished speaking.

Now that’s not fair Graeme.  Now of course I want to know what’s going on!

What else have you brought along and why?

In the relatively short time (I know, it just seems longer…) we’ve known each other, I’ve come to recognise that you have certain passions aside from books. Travel is off the agenda at the moment, so you’ll have to make do with Bryan Ferry, who I was going to smear in chocolate, but realised social distancing would make that redundant. Still, have a Twix and watch him perform The Strand!

It might only be five years since we first met, Graeme, but you know me only too well! I was very tempted to include the photo of me with Mr. Ferry …

That done, it seems a shame to drag you away from your reverie, but I’ve also brought along a map.

That looks intriguing. Why a map?

A journey takes place in Carrion, and the travellers use a map, which is mocked when it’s revealed because it’s so badly drawn. Not only that, but the images have run because it’s been immersed in water following an encounter with rapids.

So I pondered the idea of having a copy included in the book. The question, though, was how to get one drawn.

My partner’s daughter is very artistic, so I asked her about it. I think she envisaged an exciting ‘treasure map’ project with fancy illustrations – especially because she knew the book included some creatures that don’t quite fit any of the fantasy stereotypes. So her disappointment was palpable when I told her I wanted a map that looks like it’s been drawn by someone who can’t draw and has subsequently been water damaged. Nevertheless, she took up the challenge, and this was the end result.

I think it looks incredibly authentic.

It didn’t end up in the book, but it provoked a lot of interest when I took it to the Read Dating event at Bourne Town Hall earlier this year. I can’t wait to take it to more events when the current ‘lockdown’ can be lifted.

I’m sure folk were fascinated by the map. That Read Dating was part of the Deepings Literary Festival and we were really disappointed not to be able to welcome you to a similar afternoon last weekend. Readers can see what they missed here. Let’s hope we can run the event soon.

It’s been great staying in with you Graeme, to hear all about Carrion. Thanks for coming and good luck with the book! 

Carrion

Choose your words carefully.

Words have power.

A sheet of black filled his vision as hundreds of birds dived at the cottage, pointed beaks thrust forward. From this angle, he couldn’t see many of them striking it, but the few he did see held nothing back as they hammered into the shutter. The scale of the attack was beyond anything he’d seen or heard of. And bloodied casualties littered the ground: skulls shattered, wings broken, innards spilling from them. The fact that so many of them continued with the onslaught in spite of this filled him with even more dread.

Salin has always wanted an adventure and, when the opportunity presents itself, he grabs it with both hands, taking his friends along for the ride – whether they want to or not.

With strange lands come strange creatures that stand between them and their goal. And that goal is the same for someone else, a man who believes the prize is worth every sacrifice – especially when the sacrifices are made by others.

The future is about to change. But who for?

Carrion is available for purchase on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

About Graeme Cumming

Graeme Cumming lives in Robin Hood country.  He has wide and varied tastes when it comes to fiction so he’s conscious that his thrillers can cross into territories including horror, fantasy and science fiction as well as more traditional arenas.

When not writing, Graeme is an enthusiastic sailor (and, by default, swimmer), and enjoys off-road cycling and walking.  He is currently Education Director at Sheffield Speakers Club.  Oh yes, and he reads (a lot) and loves the cinema.

For more information, visit Graeme’s website, follow him on Twitter @GraemeCumming63 and find him on Facebook.