I'm writing this post in the first week of December - a week or two before the release of my eleventh novel, Terms May Apply. As you can tell from the infrequency of my blog posts, I only tend to write when I have something to say. In the case of this post, it's as much about affirmation as it is updating my readers. It seems like a lifetime ago I published my first novel but it was only four and a bit years ago. I've written eleven novels (over 1.3 million words), and for the last two … continue reading

Well, here we are - three-quarters through the year, and what a bloody year! I'd rather not dwell on the lockdown and barrage of shitty news so now I've acknowledged it, all I'll say is I hope the worst is behind us. My aim this year was to release three books. Headcase came out in March and I've just released A Page in Your Diary. Two down, one to go. So, before I make a start on that third book I thought it was a good opportunity to answer a few questions and clarify my future writing … continue reading

As my writing career has developed, I've got into the habit of pausing halfway through each project and taking stock. As part of that process, I download what I've written to my Kindle and read it back as if I'd just bought it on Amazon - it's a different experience from reading it as I write it. Yesterday, I downloaded the 48,000 words of a half-finished tenth novel and began reading it ... and I didn't enjoy it one bit! I didn't like the characters, or the pacing, or the plot. Sorry folks, … continue reading

Bravely battling an acute case of man-flu, I recently visited the Radio Woking studios to join Roy Alloway for the launch of his new 'Happy Hour' show. During the show, we were joined by Blobbie Williams - the world's biggest Robbie Williams tribute act. I'm reliably informed Mr Williams will soon be appearing on our TV screens, although I'm sworn to secrecy on which show. You'll all find out soon enough, for sure. Despite the man-flu, I had a great time and if you'd like to listen to my … continue reading

I should start this post with an apology. What started out as a fairly lightweight novel, which I intended to complete within four months and cap at ninety thousand words, ended up taking six months and landed at over a hundred and twenty thousand words. Nevertheless, the early feedback on 'Meeting Mungo Thunk' has been, much to my relief, hugely positive and I hope it proves worth the wait to those of you yet to read it. 'Meeting Mungo Thunk' is available in ebook and paperback … continue reading

Despite having to leave home at the ungodly hour of 10.30am (well, ungodly for me), I spent last Sunday morning being interviewed by the lovely Mel Montagnon on Wey Valley Radio. The abridged interview, which is just over thirty minutes long, can be heard below. Because of rights issues, the music tracks have been cut to a few seconds so you get to hear more of my dulcet tones. You can follow Mel on Twitter here, or if you're interested in Wey Valley Radio, here's a link to their … continue reading

I think it was late February before my hangover cleared, and prompted by several enquiries as to how the book was coming along, I finally got down to the job of actually writing it, or at least starting it. Fuelled by a half-decent idea, gallons of coffee, and breathtaking naivety, I then spent the next five months writing the first draft of The '86 Fix. Another month of editing and revisions followed before I was brave enough to hand my completed manuscript to a few friends to garner their … continue reading