Brexit, Books and Europol — where does a crime author go now?
Life as an author is simple — you’d think?
Well, let me tell you, this Brexit malarky has brought even more headaches to authors like me — writers who have based their work on relationships with international law enforcement agencies like Europol.
I’m not going to get into a political discourse with anyone on the politics of leave or remain — that’s not what this is about. However, the severing of so many ties with Europe now means that authors like me have to rethink our strategy, come up with alternative scenarios and more importantly, keep our information up to date — with more research.
“EUROPOL — Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, we support the 27 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime and other serious and organised forms of crime. We also work with many non-EU partner states and international organisations.”
“Large-scale criminal and terrorist networks pose a significant threat to the internal security of the EU and to the safety and livelihood of its people.”
If you’ve read my Mikky dos Santos thriller series you’ll know that my talented yet headstrong, tough yet vulnerable protagonist knows her way around the nefarious underworld network of cultural crimes — IN EUROPE.
Mikky is recruited by Inspector Joachin García Abascal to go undercover, donning disguises and using her experience as an artist, art forger and photographer to find stolen treasures: an illuminated manuscript, a stolen Torah, a murderer, family heirlooms and to save ‘street kids’ from exploitation — IN EUROPE.
The point is, she can travel effortlessly between European countries including the UK — and because of our previous relationship with Europol she has endorsement and greater flexibility to investigate criminal acts.
My new Ronda George Thriller Series due to be published next month is based on an ex British Army veteran who is a kickboxing and Masterchef champion.
BUT — she is also recruited by Inspector Joachin García Abascal and Europol.
This new series is set in Scotland, England and Wales — and ongoing novels would have allowed my exciting protagonist to travel Europe fighting criminals and injustices. But now it might seem that my protagonists don’t fit anymore…
However, my readers are happy to overlook this minor detail. I still have great reviews and my books are enjoyed for their escapism and detail of locations.
So where do I go from here to continue to create the magic?
TBH — I’m very excited about it all. I’ve done a lot of rethinking over the past months and this gives me the opportunity to consider something new, something different and above all something current.
As our borders close and our freedom becomes more limited, this exciting world of change is an opportunity to open up my imagination and to discover and explore — it’s a challenge.
No matter what happens, when our freedom is restricted — the power of our imagination is the real magic. It can soar.
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