After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, Jonathan Whitelaw moved into journalism covering everything from breaking news, the arts, culture and sport to fashion, music and even radioactive waste. He’s also a regular reviewer and talking head on shows for the BBC. HellCorp and The Man In The Dark are published by Urbane Publications.
Hi how lovely to see you in my virtual cocktail lounge, Jonathan. What can I get you at the bar?
J: While I’m not a huge cocktail drinker (a nice pint of Guinness would be lovely), I’m going to opt for a classic Bloody Mary. Simple, delicious, classic.
So we haven’t met in real life but we do have a connection.
J: Unfortunately we’ve never met in real life, but we’re both Urbane-ites, and that’s as good as family!
Or better in some cases!
J: Seriously though, since I joined the Urbane stable, I’ve made so many great, new, wonderful friends. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a little over two years. But as I’m sure you’ll agree there’s a great sense of community about us Urbane writers. We stick together.
Apart from Urbane do we have any points in common?
J: Well, we’re both writers. We both write mysteries and thrillers. And we both enjoy a juicy whodunnit. Like you, I’m also a journalist – much like your fantastic protagonist Hannah Weybridge. I remember reading and reviewing Perdition’s Child ahead of its release and thinking, gosh, I wish my career as a hack was as exciting as this. Then all the grizzly stuff happens and I come back to my senses and am thankful of all the great, wonderful opportunities I have had as a reporter.
I don’t think many of us would enjoy Hannah’s career. Tell me about your latest book?
J: The Man in the Dark has been out a little over six months now. It’s the second in the HellCorp series that sees The Devil long for a holiday, only to be challenged by God to solve mysteries instead.
In the latest novel, Old Nick is on the hunt for a tourist kidnapped by international terrorists. But while he helps out the Met, Brutus and Cassius (yes that Brutus and Cassius) are making machinations to overthrow him in the Underworld.
What are you working on now?
J: The beauty of being a journalist is that I’m constantly writing – which is fantastic. I’ve always seen writing as a marathon – if you don’t keep at it, train yourself and stay in shape then it affects your overall performance. The third of the HellCorp novels is with Urbane at the minute. And I’m working on a number of other projects still in development.
What would be your dream panel (at any event) – subject, fellow panelists or a Q&A with someone you have met or would love to meet?
J: I grew up a huge Roald Dahl fan so getting a chance to interview him on a panel would be absolutely brilliant. His work transcends generations – Esio Trot, George’s Marvellous Medicine (which has one of the greatest opening lines in literature history) and The Vicar of Nibbleswicke are all so much fun that it’s hard not to smile just thinking about them. He was also a very accomplished adult fiction writer and screenplay scribe too. Truly a multi-talented writer who is still very sorely missed in our household and around the world.
What are you most looking forward to when lockdown is finally lifted?
J: To be able to go back into a bookshop again. I know that sounds a bit corny. But it really is true that you don’t know you’ll miss something until it’s taken away from you. Waterstones in Glasgow Sauchiehall Street is a personal favourite of mine. I had the honour of hosting the launch of HellCorp there in 2018 and it’s one of the best-stocked shops of its kind in the city. A shout out to Waterstones Gower Street in London too. I was thrilled late last year to be in there and see The Man in the Dark on the shelves. I sort of felt like I’d made it!
J: The lockdown has been a very strange time for everyone. And I think having everyone involved has almost helped slightly. There’s been a sense of comradeship that was perhaps not as prominent as it could have been before all of this. My wife is a doctor so she’s seen it all on the frontline. We’ve both been greatly moved by the support shown of her from ordinary people. It really has made us all think.
Is there anything lockdown has made you think about/want to do?
J: It’s not as easy as just starting to write a book. I’ve been lucky during lockdown in that I’ve not missed any work. As a journalist and writer, there’s been plenty to do over the past few months. But I’ve seen a lot of the online community, perhaps newcomers to creative writing, saying that they’re using the time to start that project they’ve always wanted to do. I know there’s been a bit of smugness from us writers who have been shouting “we told you so” when all these people realise there’s a lot more to it than just bashing out 80,000 words. That said. Anything that gets people exploring their creative sides – no matter how difficult that is – surely has to be a good thing. So I wish them all the very best of luck. I really do think that this period will produce some great writing and stories we all want to read for years to come.
Thanks for joining me in The Cocktail Lounge, Jonathan and good luck with all your projects.
You can follow Jonathan Whitelaw on Twitter @JDWhitelaw13