What have you written to date?
I have written two novels so far. My first book, Bobbing Heads was released in 2017 and was followed up earlier this year by Consider it Done.
Both are unusual, gripping, fast paced thrillers which have received critical acclaim. At one point, Consider It Done was at number two in the Amazon Writing Fiction Genre chart, which came as a pleasant surprise!
Are they standalone or part of a series?
The books are linked, with several key characters featuring in both, and they will be part of a trilogy. However, whilst they are linked, Consider It Done can be enjoyed without having read Bobbing Heads first.
I am currently working on the third book in the trilogy and hope to have it published early next year.
What made you decide to sit down and start something?
I worked in the events industry for over twenty years and was mainly involved in staging international road and cross-country races in many places including; Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Raz al Khaimah. Nearer to home, I was the Race Director of the Diamond Relays which was the last event to be staged on the 2012 London Olympic track before it was removed and the stadium reconfigured.
I therefore travelled a lot, and started writing Bobbing Heads in an airport waiting lounge which resulted in my travelling and work becoming less stressful and tiresome as I got wrapped up in producing the narrative. Reading has the same effect on me and I use it as a release from anxiety and often read a couple of chapters of an absorbing book before going to bed to take my mind of other things. Despite having studied English at University, I am not particularly keen on the classics and much prefer spikey crime thrillers in which you can get lost in the plot for several hours at a time. Hopefully readers get the same effect when they read my books!”
Do you work on an outline plot or do you prefer to see where an idea takes you?
A bit of both. For both books I knew the ending not long after I had started writing them. I had a loose framework and then started writing and let things develop. Often, I would solve a problem with the plot by going for a run and playing about with it on the move. I’m not running much now, but carry out the same process when I am out walking with Byron, my five-year-old cocker spaniel. He usually agrees with my suggested outcomes!”
Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone else to do it?
Both. I constantly read and re-read my work as I go along and then when I have produced a workable first draft, I will give it to some trusted friends and family, both to proof read but also to get their views on the plot and structure of the novel. This process will go on for many iterations of the work. After that process, for both books I engaged a professional Copy Editor to work on the manuscript and that input is crucial. They will pick up typos and so on, but the focus is on the plot and in picking up on inconsistencies or gaps in the narrative that need explaining.
As well as that, for Consider It Done, I had input from a fellow author, Mike Kernan (The Fenian; Stopping to Rain). We were both working on our second book at the same time and so would swap manuscripts and constructively criticise each other’s work, which we managed to do without falling out! Mike was a Sub-Editor for a national newspaper for over twenty years and his input was invaluable.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part of the buying?
Yes – definitely. After the release of Bobbing Heads, I did a book signing tour of WH Smith shops as well as a couple of signings at Waterstones and Foyles. It gave me time to observe customers’ behaviour in book shops and, what I noticed was, for the big hitters their name was enough to attract the casual browsers’ attention and that it often dwarfs both the cover image and the title of the book. For less well-known writers (such as myself!) the cover needs to leap out from the shelf for it to be even picked up and considered. I feel it also helps to create a “brand” image for the author and I therefore sought to replicate the feel of it for my second book, Consider It Done.
A bit cheekily, when I was doing a signing, I would always sneak Bobbing Heads onto the main shelves alongside the best sellers – see example below. I am obviously biased but I think it looks like a natural fit! Mind you, I did get my own shelf in Glasgow.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I have always had a passion for reading simply for enjoyment, however since I began writing, I have started reading even more as it certainly helps a writer to read other writers. I am currently reading (and very much enjoying) Slow Horses by Mick Herron.
How are you publishing your book? Indie traditional or both?
For Bobbing Heads, I self-published through Silverwood which is a traditional book publishing company which provides stock for book wholesalers as well as for online purchases.
For Consider It Done I have gone through Kindle Direct Publishing. This means that my book is available exclusively through Amazon in hardback, paperback an on Kindle. I am currently considering producing an audio book as well, so watch this space!
How are you promoting the book?
Mainly through targeting relevant media channels. For example, Consider It Done takes place in a number of locations such as West London, Northallerton, Carluke, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Tenerife and I wrote press releases targeted specifically to those areas, several of which were used and definitely helped generate interest.
Social media is helpful of course and I mainly use Facebook and Twitter. I am aware of the massive influence TikTok is now having on book sales and if anyone can advise me on how to best use this medium then please get in touch.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Probably best to visit my author page on Amazon.
