Paula Hillman, author

The business model of Bloodhound Books is an interesting one. They are a ‘digital first’ company and concentrated on ebook sales, though they work hard behind the scenes to match up authors with overseas translations, audiobook producers and other publishing rights. Their marketing is key, and laser-focussed. Hence the push to get copies of an author’s digital novel into the hands of reviewers and bloggers as soon as possible, in the build up to publication day. I have been working with Bloodhound staff on the blurb, cover design and edits of my latest novel, Halfmoon Lane, for a while now. The ARCs are released tomorrow, ahead on my July 9th publication day. Paper back copies are usually available well ahead of this date. I have become an avid ebook reader myself. With every bookshelf in my home spilling over, it makes sense to store and read on a Kindle. What I like about the system is that I can be reading, spot a book that sounds perfect for me, download it and have it ready, without leaving the sofa!

Halfmoon Lane is set in the business district of an northern town centre (no coincidence there!) and involves a lot of subterfuge and racing hearts, as well as wild sea-swimming. There is music, too. I can’t say much about the plot without spoiling the main thread. What I can say is that I wrote the book in record time because the idea has been creeping around in the back of my consciousness for a few years. I started writing in October, 2023 and HML was with the publisher by the end of November. Then I could breathe again! I hope my readers will be intrigued and delighted by the story!