When I began to write, I was surprised at how little London had been used in crime fiction. Places such as Edinburgh or Oxford or L.A. seemed to have stronger identities. Mark Billingham begincrimeedinburgh Change image and share on social
I write slowly and get distracted a lot. Mark Billingham distractlotslowly Change image and share on social
Whether your audience is in a sweaty basement club or nestled in a favourite armchair, good money has been paid, and attention has got to be grabbed if you are not to be heckled off the stage or find your novel discarded in favour of the latest volume of 'Fifty Shades of Whatever.' Mark Billingham armchairattentionaudience share on social
Having worked as both comedian and crime writer, the one thing I know is that both involve the delivery of a performance. Mark Billingham comediancrimedelivery Change image and share on social
I could never gamble on stocks and shares because I saw my father get hurt that way - he lost quite a lot of money when the stock market collapsed in 2001. Mark Billingham collapsefathergamble Change image and share on social
I bought an insurance policy covering the inheritance tax my kids will have to pay when we die, which I thought was a good bit of forward thinking. And I always know I'm going to have enough for tax because I make sure I keep it back in my business account. Mark Billingham accountbackbite share on social
Crime is the biggest genre in libraries and in bookshops, and it is hugely varied. Mark Billingham bigbookshopcrime Change image and share on social
I started performing as a stand-up comedian on my own in the mid-1990s. Mark Billingham 1990scomedianmid Change image and share on social
It never ceases to amaze me that readers who are willing to suspend their disbelief when it comes to the motivation of a vicious serial killer get high and mighty because I have put a coffee shop where there isn't one. Er... it's a novel. I made one up. I'm allowed to make stuff up. I'd go as far as to suggest that I make stuff up for a living. Mark Billingham allowamazecease share on social
I find traveling anywhere very stressful. If I ever have to go on tour, I tend to find it all a bit too stressful. I am too much of a control freak with traveling, and nothing is ever on time. The one thing I can't stand is being late. Mark Billingham bitecontrolfind share on social