How 2, How Not 2

1. What types of books do you write?
Iconic English comedian Ricky Gervais once said: "Write about what you know." I know politics, France, Japan, Poland (through my family), Batman, football and Aristotle. So expect me to write about those.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
The latest book was my most cathartic yet, tying together all my experiences as a childhood football fan and then football journalist at local and national newspapers. Think Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch plus the politics of newspaper offices, behind the scenes journalism and player interviews, and more ridiculous events.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
It is part of a series. Taking the "How to, How Not to" theme, I want to present a kind of comedy study guide about all my experiences: working in politics, surviving in Japan, navigating foreign travel in France, Germany, Poland and Hawaii.

4. When did you start writing?
I started writing as early as I could, penning stories about my class mates aged 7. The teacher read it out to everyone: they loved being the stars of my book!

5. Why did I start?
My father has always had a great way with words, so that must have equipped me with the necessary vocab as a baby (subliminally). Above all else, my parents showed me so many books and TV shows that it was difficult not to take several influences on board.

6. Who are your influences?
As time passed, I fell completely for P.G.Wodehouse's style - his penchant for extracting comedy from even the blackest situations with genial turns of phrase. Combine Wodehouse's pen, the dry humor of Roger Moore's James Bond, and Leslie Nielson's Naked Gun, and you have something approaching my style.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details
Expect me to write more "How 2, How Not 2" guides, complete my Batman trilogy, and compose some language study guides. I teach English a lot now and would like to apply those techniques to other languages I have studied to make user-friendly materials. Just don't expect me to write it all immediately - the day job is far too busy for that. Further information can be found on my blog