The EXILE soundtrack

Back when I was working on my novel Nomad, one of the things I did was put together a playlist of choons that were in one way or another, inspirational for story and characters.

The folks over at The Civilian Reader blog hosted a post I wrote about that mythic soundtrack album for Nomad, and a year later, with Exile - the second novel in the Rubicon series - out in bookstores, I thought I'd drop the beats that helped me write it. 

As I said when talking about Nomad; "writing a book isn’t just the writing of the book; there’s also the time spent wrangling ideas or thinking stuff up. I find pacing out the kilometers on the runner at the gym is a great place for this, usually with a loud and driving playlist in my earbuds to propel me along."

So crank the volume and listen up...

Track 1 -  "EXILE anthem" - Jungle - X Ambassadors

Track 2 - "Lucy's Theme (Book II Version)" - Voodoo Child -  Brick+Mortar

Track 3 - "Kurjak Stakeout" - Rise - Craig Armstrong  
 

Track 4 - "Black Site Escape" - Easy Action - Boom Boom Satellites
 

Track 5 - "Dubai Chase Part I" - Speed - Paul Oakenfold
 

Track 6 - "Dubai Chase Part II" - Ready Steady Go [Remix] - Paul Oakenfold
 

Track 7 - "Mogadishu Jump" - Missile - Dorothy
 

Track 8 - "Shell Game" - Run - AWOLNATION

Track 9 - "Into The Caverns"- Loaded Gun - Hednoize
 

Track 10 - "Outro (Book II Version)" - Absurd (Whitewash Edit) - Fluke
 

Track 11- "EXILE End Credits"- Collapse - Saosin

 

Exile is out now in supermarkets, all good bookstores and online retailers!

Books That Changed My Life at Reader's Digest

Earlier this month, I spoke with Reader's Digest to talk about three Books That Changed My Life...

In the article I link to Here, I discuss three novels whose themes, writing and authors all exerted a keen effect on me as a writer and a reader - and I also talk briefly about my new action thriller novel Exile...



 

EXILE Twitter Q&A Transcript

Last week I took over my publisher’s Twitter feed for a live Q&A session about my new thriller novel EXILE; you can follow them at @BonnierZaffre – and here’s a transcript of the conversation...

 

Hello there, this is James Swallow! With the help of Marc Dane, I've hacked into @BonnierZaffre's feed for the next hour...

I'm here to answer your questions about my new thriller novel #EXILE...

...As long as it isn't anything Top Secret...

Let's start off with an email Q from Summercyde_cat, who asks "Where do you get your ideas from?"

That's always a tough one to answer! I read a lot of news about current events and technology, especially stuff on the fringes of design...

The world at large tends to be the best source for thriller story ideas...!

Next question from Hazelhead, who asks “Do you have more Rubicon stories planned after #NOMAD and #EXILE?"

Yes indeed I do! Marc, Lucy and the Rubicon team will return next year for another adventure, so stay tuned!

Please post your questions to @BonnierZaffre using the #EXILE hashtag.... 

Next one! Ron Sinterklaas (Hello again!) emails: "Is there going to be a #NOMAD or #EXILE film or TV series in the future?"

Taking the Rubicon series to the big or small screen would be very cool!

I've had some discussions with film/tv folks but so far, nothing concrete. Right now I am concentrating on developing the novels...

WasherDryerWasher asks "Can I get your books in the USA?!?" #EXILE 

Yes! The plan is for the Rubicon novels to be published by @forgereads in the USA in 2018. #EXILE 

 Another question from Ron... "Who will play your heroes on screen if #EXILE is a film/tv?"

I like @Liam_J_McIntyre to play Marc Dane...

As for who would play Lucy Keyes, I think the amazing @DanaiGurira would be perfect!

And of course, the mighty @colinsalmon24 has always been my model for the character of Ekko Solomon!

(Please post your questions to James Swallow about his new novel to @BonnierZaffre using the #EXILE hashtag!)

Next question from Harley_Hare: "What was it like getting nominated for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize?"

I'm honoured! @thewilbursmith is a titan of the thriller genre & I'm in such great company with the other nominees.

I am actually reading fellow nominee @FrankRGardner's novel Crisis right now, it's great stuff!

Our next question comes from a fan of a certain other British secret agent...

Marko emailed to ask "I've been reading the new James Bond comics, they're great. Would you like to do something like that with #EXILE ?"

I'm enjoying the Dynamite Comics stuff too! To answer the question, Would I write a Rubicon comic? That would be a dream job.

And for the record, I would love to write a James Bond story one day.

Great question here from Tom Royle! "How would Marc Dane would get on with other characters you've written, Judge Dredd, Jack Bauer etc?"

Marc would respect Jack Bauer's skills, but probably think he was too intense. "Lighten up, mate."

As for Judge Dredd, Marc would want to try out his Lawmaster motorbike for sure.

Other characters? Marc would get on okay with #DeusEx Adam Jensen. But he would steer clear of the Warhammer guys.

15 mins left to go! Post your questions to @BonnierZaffre using the #EXILE hashtag & I'll try my best to answer them all!

Next question from XB70BX: "Will there be an #EXILE audio book?"

Yes! It should hopefully it'll be out later this year...

Last question... Colin asks "What inspired the plotline for #EXILE?'

#EXILE's story came from a lot of places - reading about Somalia and the piracy there; the traffic in toxic waste and stolen nukes...

...All of those real life events have drama and weight to them that lends well to a thriller story.

Okay, I think I hear a drone circling overhead, so I'll have to log out in a few moments before the BZ strike team home in on me...

Thank you one & all for your great questions & for taking part in the #EXILE Q&A! It was great to chat to you!

If you have any more questions about #EXILE, #NOMAD or any of my books you can follow me at @jmswallow or my blog at jamesswallow.blogspot.co.uk

If you want to check out the first chapter of #EXILE , you can a free download right here at Readers First: readersfirst.co.uk/books/exile

And #EXILE is on sale right now from all good bookstores and several supermarkets!

Thanks again and best wishes! - James 

EXILE is available Here in hardcover and eBook editions; trade paperback versions are also on sale at WH Smith Travel bookstores.



 

Action. Packed.

My new thriller Exile has been out for a week now, and I'm pleased to say it has already hit the bestseller charts! Thanks to everyone out there who has bought a copy!

Check out this neat poster for the release!

 

EXILE is out today!

I am very proud to announce the release of my new thriller novel EXILE!

The next book in my ongoing Rubicon series follows on from the events of last year’s Sunday Times bestseller NOMAD, a new action-adventure story featuring ex-MI6 officer and reluctant hero Marc Dane and the shadowy Rubicon group. The novel is out now in hardcover, trade paperback and eBook editions from Bonnier Zaffre! 

A VICIOUS SERBIAN GANG WHOSE PROFITS COME FROM FAKE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

A DISGRACED RUSSIAN GENERAL, WITH ACCESS TO THE REAL THING.

A VENGEFUL SOMALI WARLORD, WITH A CAUSE FOR WHICH HE'D LET THE WORLD BURN.

A JADED GOVERNMENT AGENCY, WITHOUT THE INFORMATION TO STOP HIM.

Only one man sees what's coming. And even he might not be able to prevent it . . .
 

THE WORLD’S MOST RUTHLESS KILLER HAS THE WORLD’S MOST DEADLY WEAPON.

Abandoned by MI6, Marc Dane finds himself in a dead-end job monitoring international sales of counterfeit nuclear weapons.

But suddenly Marc happens upon the real thing – a Russian general flees Moscow with a suitcase nuke, off-loading it to a Serbian gang known for dealing fakes. However, Marc’s own reputation is a rock-bottom: can he convince his cynical bosses to take the threat seriously?

And there’s little time for delay – the Serbs have already found a customer. Abur Ramaas is a ruthless Somali pirate nursing a desire to avenge the suffering of his homeland, and with this weapon he realises he’ll never have a better chance.

Forced to go rogue, Marc Dane’s only hope is to reach out to his old ally Lucy Keyes and the Rubicon group. Pursuing Ramaas across the globe, Marc and Lucy face a desperate race to prevent Armageddon.

But with Abur Ramaas, nothing is ever as it seems...

Racing breathlessly from secret CIA black site prisons to the skyscrapers of Dubai, from storm-beaten oil rigs off the African coast to the ancient caverns beneath the city of Naples, Marc Dane returns in the explosive new thriller from the internationally bestselling author of NOMAD...
 
 
Visit ReadersFirst to download a pdf of the first chapter of EXILE.

To order a copy of EXILE, click Here or check out the official website of the Rubicon series at WhoIsMarcDane.com.

EXILE is already hitting the #1 slot on the iBooks chart,and if you enjoy the book, please do post a review on Amazon, Goodreads or your social media feeds!