Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I have published eight with a ninth due this spring. My first book was a collection of short stories called “Even When Tonight Is Over” and was published in 2010. The stories are kind of inspirational in the sense that what one may mean for you might mean something different to someone else. I followed this with two collections of prose in 2011 and 2013 “The Hair Of The Hound” and “Hounds Of Winter” both of which were warmly received and were promoted with a short but successful meet n greet tour across Europe. I had written a kind of biography many years ago, “In Search Of The Fabulous People” which was given a low key release. At the time I thought it was a good yarn then I quickly criticized it and then believe it’s a “load of old bo**ocks” but I believe you can be critical of your own works. The book is still given out in press packs and seems to be well received. Two more collections came quickly, “Jig Of Life” and “Soon Before The Sun” before my first full length novel “Now Is Not The Time For Trumpets” which was published last year. It is a fictionalized retrospective, part interview, part biographical about unreal people set in a real world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Life Of Parties is due for release in March. It’s another fictional memoir of a bright young thing Agatha Dewsbury who featured briefly in the Trumpets book. The memoir goes from her childhood, her school days, her possible witness to a murder, scandal, her career as a writer and her ultimate sad downfall. Pre reviews have been encouraging. Although it is all fictional, the world I am writing about is real but it was fun to develop new characters one or two may appear in another book. Both this book and Trumpets will be published as a double edition in USA as “Simply Divine” and my complete collection of short stories and prose is being republished again in USA under the title of “A Sorta Fairytale”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Names. I can literally get given a name and then I create a world for that character. An example would be for my next book I was having lunch with friends and they mentioned an old friend Gladys Shenkmen who was a mega rich American Jew but hated spending money. The name I just loved and just had to find somewhere to fit her in the book which I did. I guess I am also inspired by history and the forgotten decadence we used to have – art deco, the party season, the in between war years, but I am also working on some kind of disco novel set in San Francisco in the 1970s so at the moment, I am being inspired by classic disco music.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nancy Mitford book are on my reading list at the moment.
What are you working on now?
Two books – Take Down The Flags – 10 stories all set on 7 May 1945, some of the stories link and Burn Baby Burn – inspired by the 1970s disco scene in San Francisco. I plan to complete this book then look at making it into a film and/or TV script.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter is a great asset for me but also in person meets and greets aids promotion and stability.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write and continue to write. Get your ideas down, be inspired and write more. I still have notebooks going back 25 years that are filled with names, chapters and ideas that I know I can still use. I don’t let anything go to waste.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write about what you know or what you would like to know.
What are you reading now?
Under The Ivy – an updated biography of Kate Bush. This is the 4th version in so any years – so much has happened.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion for this new book then finalize drafts for my two by the end of the year.
What is your favorite book of all time?
A Book Of Dreams by Peter Reich. Heartbreaking, beautiful and captive.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Binmore Website
Mark Binmore Amazon Profile
Mark Binmore’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Eddie Tarn says
Just finished reading your book Trumpets, a good read and already ordered your next one. Thank you,