Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Two books written, one on Kindle now and the second to be added very shortly.
Born in Ireland 1950, I left home in 1966 to go to sea for fourteen years and then transferred to the oil and gas industry. The past 32 years has led me to onshore and offshore energy installations all over the world, UK waters, Middle East and the South China seas. I am happily married with two children, now grown up and both working in the oil and gas industry. My interests run to Rugby as an amateur player over 27 years, flying, sailing and writing. For the past 11 years my wife and I have been living on our sailing yacht ‘Grey Glider’ in the Mediterranean travelling through Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey where the yacht is now based. At one point I owned a six seat twin engine plane and qualified as a multi-engine pilot and qualified to fly on instruments. I took up writing after being less than impressed and frankly disappointed with books bought in airports. I like to include some humour in my writing and prefer adventure thriller story lines. My work and my travels have provided wide and varied access to some remarkable and interesting places and situations. This has been one of the main sources for the ideas in my writing. More widely known as ‘Ned Kelly’ after the famous Australian bush ranger
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Place in the Sun’ which is mostly set in Northern Ireland in 1994 when the fragile peace process was beginning. The inspiration came from my upbringing in Ireland, a realisation of the power of the Internet and how terrorism could use that power to their advantage.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I live on a yacht in the Med which you think would allow a lot of time to write but the life is quite involved and very sociable. I also have a motorhome which is parked in the marina and that is where I write away from any disruption. When at sea the next book is going round and round in my head constantly evolving
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joseph Heller and ‘Catch 22’ which was the first book I picked up to read then did not put it down until I finished. I was lucky enough to read all the boys adventure classics, ‘Treasure Island’ ‘Kidnapped’ etc. when I was ten years old. Later Hammond Innes, Alistair McLean, Wilbur Smith and all other action adventure writers
What are you working on now?
‘Eye of the Falcon’ which is book 3 in the Mike Balmayne trilogy which starts in the UK and spreads across Afghanistan, Europe and Africa again with a terrorism theme.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method I have found so far is to have book cards printed with various links to the present book with the book cover in colour. People appreciate a personal approach.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think it was Oscar Wilde who advised that anyone who thinks they will become rich from writing will be disappointed. Do not let that information deter write because you want to and the only way to succeed is to keep writing more and more. There is a tremendous sense of achievement in publishing a book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Exactly the advice I would give to new authors above.
What are you reading now?
‘Ostrich’ by Matt Greene
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same, I have a fourth book in my head to be written when the Mike Balmayne trilogy is finished.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Catch 22
Author Websites and Profiles
William V Kelly Website
William V Kelly Amazon Profile
William V Kelly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Denise Beddows says
I read Ned’s book ‘Until The Fat Man Sings’ and it’s a wee cracker.