The Fix

1. What type of books do you write?
I write two types of books – The Fix is dark humour / murder mystery, I’ve also written a yet to be published historical fiction series regarding the Roman invasion of Britain & the almost entirely forgotten General, Caradoc.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
It’s a murder / mystery novel but with a very strong leaning towards humour. It’s about a guy who hates everything in his life – job (in an investment bank!), girlfriend, social life (he has none) & friends (none of these either). It’s about relationships & it’s about lies, how everyone will do something to get ahead – some more than others.
The Fix is available as an e-book on Amazon: On Sale at Amazon

Here’s the blurb:
Murder. Theft. Sociopaths. And Margate. Just another day in banking then...

It’s pre crash 2007 and financial investment banker Josh Dedman’s life is unravelling fast. He’s fired after £20 million goes missing from the bank. His long-time girlfriend has cheats on him, then dumps him. His only friends are a Russian tramp who claims to be ex-KGB and a really irritating bloke he’s just met on the train. His waking hours are a nightmare and his dreams are haunted by a mystery blond. And to cap it all, he lives in Margate…

Just when Josh thinks things can’t get any worse his sociopathic boss — Hershey Valentine — winds up dead and he finds himself the number one suspect. As the net closes in Josh discovers that no one is quite what they seem, including him, and that sometimes help comes from the most unlikely sources…

Part fiction, part lies (well, it is about banking) and excruciatingly funny, The Fix pulls no punches when revealing the naked truth of a man living a life he loathes.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
No, although the historical fiction book due out is.

4. When did you start writing?
It’s difficult to remember as I’ve been writing since I was about 9 years old!

5. Why did you start writing?
I’ve always loved words & I’m usually reading a couple of books at a time. So experiencing how well others communicate their characters and situations and the emotions they evoked in me made me want to do the same. I enjoy the challenge of building a story and then seeing others read it (& hopefully like it too).

6. Who are your influences?
There are many, I’ve been lucky enough to read some excellent books. In specific genres there are one or two authors I will always pick up when they publish a new book. To be specific:
- Historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell, Seven Saylor, Robert Harris (Roman books)
- Thriller, Lee Child, Martin Cruz Smith
- Fantasy, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman
- Crime, Ian Rankin
I pick these guys as they all write compelling narrative, their characters are really well rounded, the dialogue is strong. I’m always pleased when starting a new book of theirs and sad when I’ve finished it.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other detailsI conduct exchange reviews
Promotion, promotion & more promotion! I’m also looking for reviews & I have just started as a reviewer myself.

Distortion

1. What types of books do you write?
I write dark mysteries infused with an in-your-face examination of female sexual image and politics.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
My first crime novel, DISTORTION was just released by Buzz Books USA. It's about an artist who paints a crime scene in reverse perspective and turns a murder investigation backwards--onto her friends. The FBI asks her to spy on those friends, for her country. Adele refuses ... until someone starts killing them. Now she'll use the FBI, the clues--and even her friends--to save them. It's now available in paperback, Kindle and Nook formats.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
It's the first in my Adele Proust, pop art mysteries.

4. When did you start writing?
I wrote in my teens and early twenties, but then life got busy and I set it aside while I first foought apartheid, then raised children. About three years ago, I took up writing again seriously.

5. Why did you start writing?
I created characters to give voice to different ideas that were rattling around in my mind. When I wrote down those character's perceptions, I could sort of clear my head. It felt great. So then the characters started interacting--which created story. Once I got to the story stage, the rest was mostly taking dictation from my characters. Like life and art, my characters may have been inspired by events or issues in my life, but then the characters turned around and inspired me right back I write as much to give voices to their authentic feelings as to consciously develop a plot.

6. Who are your influences?
Vonnegut, Chandler, Laura Ingalls Wilder, JK Rowling, Alexandre Dumas

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details
November 11: In-store Mystery and Book Signing at Hastings in College Station Gig ‘em Ags!
November 12: Crime City Central (UK) will feature the first chapter of DISTORTION on their radio/podcast. It’s also an iTunes download. I can take you down murderous backstreets while you’re jogging on the treadmill
November 12: KPFT Houston’s Larry Payne will interview me on “Interchange” at 8pm; also available as a podcast after it airs
November 12: Guest post on Sara Jayne Townsend’s “Imaginary Friends...
November 15: In-store Mystery and Book Signing at Domy Bookshop/Gallery, Houston (This shop is just blocks from the first murder in the book.)
November 16th: Guest post on Jungle Red Writers blog