Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Buckinghamshire, UK which is also where I grew up. In 1997 I moved to Tenerife for 7 years and on return to the UK we lived in Devon for another 7 years before returning to Buckinghamshire. I now live in Tenerife again and remote work as a freelance consultant. We have two grown-up children, one of whom lives in Tenerife with us and the other who is still in the UK.
I’ve self published 3 books so far but I also have some horror short stories available across publishing sites.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Becoming Bill” is a novella based on one of the characters from my first two books but it can also be read as a standalone. Bill is a rough sleeper who helps the police when they have any cases that involve vulnerable rough sleepers. He tells part of his backstory in “Bedding Down.”
Bill starts off as a successful man who appears to have everything but when his alcohol use spirals out of control Bill loses it all and ends up on the streets. This book charts his descent into rough sleeping, his experiences on the streets, the people he meets and how reuniting with his adult daughter leads his to start considering if he’s strong enough to start again.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a tendency to suddenly wake up in the early hours of the morning with a burning idea that needs to be written down! It could be an interesting plot twist for a WIP or a whole new idea. I can’t get back to sleep with it running around in my head so I get up and write it down. My other half then wanders into the room half asleep and wanting to know why I disappeared!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King is a genius. No-one will ever write like he does!
His book “About Writing” was an inspiration and contains some of the best advice any budding author would need.
I also love Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series, I’ve read them more than once and have the whole set. Ian Rankin’s Rebus series is another go to set.
What are you working on now?
I have more than one WIP at the moment and both are vying for attention at different times!
“The Love of His Life” is the current winner, it’s a story from two perspectives. Phil and Maggie meet at a speed dating event and while Phil is immediately taken with Maggie he appears to be misreading her signals. When Maggie’s best friend is murdered Phil is the prime suspect but is everything what it seems?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has been a very good resource but IAN (Independent Author’s Network) is amazing. I would strongly recommend that new authors join them.
Blog sites and publishing sites are also very useful for building up a fan base.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Beware of the sharks! Once you self publish you are responsible for all your own marketing and it’s really, really time consuming. The problem is that once you put yourself out there you get loads of contact from people with their hand out. “I’ll review your book – if you pay me” and “I’ll post your book on social media to all my however many followers – if you pay me” Lots of people with their hands out and it’s hard to know who to trust.
Write because you love doing it. Self publish because you want to share your stories with the world but be realistic about the chances of being so successful you can give up the day job. It isn’t an overnight thing either. Be prepared to do a lot of groundwork!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King’s book “About Writing” is literally all the advice anyone needs. He’s been there, touting his stories and books to publishers and agents and collecting knock backs. The book is partly about his own journey and partly full of advice and tips on being an author yourself.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading one of the Lincoln Rhyme books again (Jefferey Deaver) having just finished a Dean Koontz book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
There’s a potential offer from a publisher for my horror short stories. “The Watchers” is a collection of dark, cautionary tales of comeuppance. I’m not sure if this is the direction I’ll take or if I’ll go ahead and self publish it again but it will come out at some point this year!
I have quite a few more short stories in the same genre (horror) and am looking at getting those put together for another collection. Quite a few of these are available as samples on publishing sites such as Inkitt.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Nightmares and Dreamscapes – Stephen King.
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