I’ve got to be honest here – 2021 was not a bad year for us.
Okay, it wasn’t ideal that The Venetian Legacy came out when bookshops were closed in England, but we still managed to crack the Times Top 10 (which I genuinely wasn’t expecting!). There weren’t many real-life events, sadly, and I wasn’t able to do anything in the way of signings beyond scurrying around every Waterstones in London last October and signing stock. But on the plus side, I was able to meet up with readers and Crime Cymru pals at the Crickhowell Literary Festival. And, of course, there was the inaugural Gwyl Crime Cymru digital festival which was terrific fun. So, as I said, it wasn’t a bad year.
And there’s a few things to look forward to in 2022. The Venetian Game will be published in Estonia, and I’m very much looking forward to the Headread Literary festival in Tallinn in May. My German publisher, Rowohlt, continues to be committed to the series and so Venetian Masquerade comes out in March with Venetian Gothic following next year. My continued thanks to Dinah Fischer and, of course, my translator and friend Birgit Salzmann.
And then, of course, there’s this year’s Nathan Sutherland novel, The Angels of Venice. Now, this is our first time in hardback and so you might have noticed that the usual publication schedule has changed. Quite simply, a few of – shall we say – the Big Hitters have books out earlier in the year. By holding Angels back a few months, my publisher is hoping to maximise its visibility. My apologies for the delay but, from this year on, we should settle into a pattern of hardback/ebook/audio in July, with the paperback coming the following January.
We’ll have to see what happens event-wise. Crime Cymru will be digital again this year due to circumstances very much beyond the festival committee’s control. But, like last year, it’ll still be brilliant! Details as soon as I have them confirmed. Then there’ll be Tallinn the following month and I’m currently discussing possibilities for an event in Germany when Maskerade comes out, whether that be in person or online. And in mid-July I’ll be looking to do some signings in the UK. Fingers very much crossed.
As I said at the top, 2021 wasn’t a bad year for us. I know other people’s experiences were very, very different. With my continued thanks to you all, and sincerest wishes for a happier, more peaceful 2022.
Philip Gwynne Jones 
Philip Very pleased to hear that things are going well….and we’re all eagerly looking forward to the new Nathan adventure…hoping Canadian publication date won’t be too delayed.
Tailinn is a fascinating city…just scratched the surface on a day trip during a Baltic cruise in 2015…but loved it!
2021 was a simply dreadful year for us because of our daughter’s death (she had just had her 50th birthday). No words…
Hopefully 2022 will see covid restrictions diminish and permit the opening up of travel opportunities particularly our Canaries cruise and subsequent stay with our son in the Mumbles. What a gorgeous part of Wales!
All the best to you and your family
Winnie
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Winnie, I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. Devastating…I’m so sorry.
Hoping very much for a better 2022 for everyone. As I said, I know we were among the lucky ones last year.
All good wishes,
Philip xx
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
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Oh dear, do hope the hardback will fir on the “Venice – crime fiction” shelf here.
Seriously, really enjoyed the “Legacy” and so shall be looking forward to your next offering.
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Thank you so much Ella!!
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Hi Philip, thank you so much for introducing me to Nathan Sutherland through your Venice books. I’ve lived my own life vicariously through Nathan’s since discovering him. I plot his every move via maps and tour guides! His life is far more exciting than mine. My own love affair with Venice began in 2003. My husband booked a long weekend for my 50th birthday during Carnevale, at the Hotel San Zulian (thank you for including San Zulian in one of Nathan’s adventures, it transported me right back there!) We arrived late at night by vaporetto with no clue where to go and sans luggage, which was delayed 24 hours. Seeing all the masks being worn, we decided to splash out on capes and masks (eeeek, even our credit card gasped at the price) and joined in. It was an incredible experience and there was magic in the air. We promenaded about haughtily in our anonymity as though we were born to be there! The second time was in 2016 but on a cruise ship visit (sorry!) We had a wonderful day exploring Canareggio instead of doing the shore excursion. As we sailed past St Mark’s Square later that day, I was singing along to Maestro Ennio Morricone’s beautiful Nella Fantasia and sobbing my heart out as we said goodbye to La Serenissima again. I have no idea why I’m obsessed, simply that I am and will go back, maybe for my 70th next year. One thing about the first trip has intrigued me ever since. During our second evening, at the top end of Piazza San Marco opposite the Basilica and diagonal to the Campanile, we came upon a man singing in the castrato manner (but obviously not missing the appendages of the original singers). The acoustics made his beautiful voice sound other worldly and to be honest, it was full-on sensory overload for me. I deeply regret not staying longer to listen bit he really overwhelmed me. Have you heard anything like this during your time there?
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Hello Lynney! Thanks so much for taking the time to write, and for all the kind words.
In all honesty, I’ve never really noticed many singers amongst the street musicians. There was, notoriously, The Worst Busker in the World, a relentlessly cheery and polite old gentleman who, sadly, never learned a proper tune in all his years of playing the violin in the Rio Foscarini. He’s now been replaced by a pretty good accordion player with quite an inventive programme that includes Shostakovich’s Jazz Suites!
But best of all is the lutenist who you might occasionally find on the Accademia bridge late at night, playing Baroque music. He’s a very fine musician and seems to be a nice man as well. It’s always a pleasure to run across him!
I do hope you can make it back to Venice for your 70th, and my thanks again – I’m so pleased you’re enjoying the books.
With all good wishes, and my thanks once again,
Philip
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Dear Philip,
I had the fortune to visit Venice twice before the pandemic. My third trip was to happen in March 2020, but sadly, it could not be. I am so thankful for your books, which have offered me five trips to Venice so far, until I can travel there again. I look forward to the next one, it’s always such a joy to (re)read Nathan’s (and Federica’s) adventures. Thanks to your masterful descriptions, it almost feels like if I look out the window, there will be old buildings and canals waiting for me. Thank you so, so much for taking me to Venice, during this time when I cannot afford to go there myself.
Looking forward to read you again,
Julia.
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Many, many thanks Julia…I’m so pleased you’ve been enjoying the books and that they helped in however small a way during the pandemic. And so sorry for the late reply!!
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Dear Philip,
I had the good fortune to visit Venice twice before the pandemic. My third trip was to happen in March 2020, but sadly, it was not to be. Since then, you offered me 5 more trips to Venice, alongside Nathan and Federica, on adventures I very much enjoyed. It’s always a pleasure to (re)read them, and I look forward to this year’s adventure, until I can afford returning to Venice myself. Thank you so, so much for bringing Venice to me; thanks to your masterful descriptions, I can almost believe that if I look out the window, I will see canals and old buildings, narrow streets and hidden gardens just waiting for me.
Looking forward to reading you again,
Julia.
P. S.: If you find another version of this message, it’s because something is up with my internet connection, I don’t know if it got posted, and I cannot remember the words exactly, even if I wrote them literally a minute before this message. I apologize in advance in case of 95% repeating myself.
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Dear Philip,
Wow, what can I say. I saw your book in our local library in my part of the world, which is southern Sydney. I am enjoying “To Venice with Love”, so much, as I read it at our beach-house at Kiama, a holiday destination south of Sydney. The rain is coming down, unfortunately, but I have your book to read and that is ok.
Three years ago, exactly, we were in Venice, just before COVID hit Europe. I hope you and Caroline have been spared the dreaded virus, Philip?
Anyway, I will start to read your other Venice books now and thanks for the laughs and interesting anecdotes. Cheers from sunny Sydney. Helen Etheridge
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Dear Helen, thanks so much for writing! I’m so pleased you’ve been enjoying “To Venice…” and hope you like the others just as much.
Both Caroline and myself managed to dodge COVID for two-and-a-half years and then we picked it up travelling around the UK whilst I was doing a few signings for “The Angels of Venice”. Both fine now, thankfully!
All good wishes from Venice, Philip.
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