Frequently Asked Questions
Do you plot out your books before you begin to write them?
It depends. Usually, I work hard to understand the concept behind the book I’m writing and to figure out what will happen in the first five or six chapters. I also know some of the things, very vaguely, that I want to happen during the middle of the book and towards the end. I might have a sense of a possible twist. I might not. With one book, DEAD LINE, I planned in more detail, writing a twenty-page outline. So the real answer is that I do what feels right for the book I’m working on, and that can change from book to book.
Who is your literary agent?
My agent is Camilla Bolton at the Darley Anderson Literary Agency.
Are the translation rights available to your books?
For international rights enquiries, please contact the Darley Anderson Literary Agency.
Are the film/tv rights available to your books?
Lucy Fawcett at Sheil Land Associates is the best person to contact if you’re interested in the film or tv rights to any of the following books: The Good Thief's Guide To ... series, Safe House, Dead Line, Dark Tides, Long Time Lost.
For film/tv rights enquiries for any of my other books, the best person to contact is Sylvie Rabineau at WME (if you're based in the US) and Sheila David at Darley Anderson (if you're based in the UK).
Will you sign my book or a bookplate?
I love meeting readers. I’m very happy to sign books at events. But for practical reasons, I often can’t sign books sent through the post. Sorry.
Will you read my book/short story/script idea?
Are you kidding? I write books about a professional thief and you’d like to send me your precious work? Aren’t you afraid I’d steal it? I am, and so regretfully, I can’t agree to do this. But if you’re a writer, I really do wish you the very best of luck with getting published or selling your writing. It can be a tough go, but in my experience, the main thing that separates a writer from a published author is persistence. So keep at it. Oh, and read Stephen King’s ON WRITING. Also, read Lawrence Block’s TELLING LIES FOR FUN & PROFIT. Both are excellent.
Do you ever run writing workshops for school children? Will you run a workshop at the school I teach at?
Yes. I have run a number of writing workshops, and I was the Isle of Man Schools Writer in Residence in 2014. I’m always happy to chat about the possibility of running more workshops, so please do get in touch. I’m also happy to consider running writing workshops for adults or writing groups.
Will you speak at my event/literary festival/book shop?
Please get in touch with me via the Contact form. I’d be delighted to chat.
How can I contact you?
You can drop me an email via the Contact form. I’m on Twitter @chrisewan and I have an author page on Facebook. Say hi!
When will your next book be out?
THE INTERVIEW will be published by Pan Macmillan in the UK on 17th February 2022 in hardback, ebook and audio formats.
Are any of your characters based on people you know?
Nope. I make it all up. It’s the best way, I think. Plus, I don’t want the people I know to sue me …
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere. Books I like. Movies I love. Song lyrics. Strange dreams. Travel guides. Weird customs. Myths and legends. Newspaper headlines. Ideas are cheap – figuring out which ideas are worth writing an entire novel about is the tough part.
I really liked DEAD LINE. Is there going to be a sequel?
I get asked this one a lot and the answer is … no. But there is a film option on the book, and I did love researching and writing Daniel Trent’s story, so perhaps one day I might get the opportunity to write a prequel.
Is the ITV drama SAFE HOUSE based on your novel of the same name?
Nope. Not that one either. Thanks for rubbing it in …
Is the movie SAFE HOUSE starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds based on your novel of the same name?
No it’s not, although the book and the movie did come out at about the same time, hence why there was some confusion. Thanks for buying my book if you got confused!
What is happening with the TV adaptation of the GOOD THIEF’S GUIDES?
The rights are currently under option and being developed into a TV show in the USA. Keep your fingers crossed!
Will you be writing more GOOD THIEF’S GUIDES?
I hope so. It’s been a few years now since I’ve written about Charlie Howard and I miss the guy. I know where I’d take him after Berlin. I know why. Maybe one day I’ll get to share that with you. In the meantime, have you checked out my prequel novella to the entire series, The Good Thief's Guide to Murder? If not, what's stopping you? It's set in Cannes during the film festival. It features more murder and more thieving. And you can get your free copy by singing up to my newsletter.
What is the order of your GOOD THIEF’S GUIDES?
It goes: Amsterdam, Paris, Vegas, Venice, Berlin. But don’t worry if you can’t track down a particular title because you can read the books out of order and still enjoy them. No, really, you can.