Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I’ve written three books, two of which are waiting to be published and the first – Tiberius Found – has been published as a paperback and as an ebook. The sequel to Tiberius Found – Tiberius Bound – has a planned publishing date of May/June this year, and the first book in my 1920s-set supernatural adventures – Oliver Drummond and the Four Horsemen – has a planned release date of September/October.
The third, and final, instalment of the Tiberius stories – Tiberius Crowned – has a planned release date of early 2015.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I always want to write stories that I would have liked to read as a young lad – good, old-fashioned action/adventures.
My latest book – Tiberius Found – is the story of a sixteen-year-old boy who discovers that he’s been genetically engineered – assigned the codename Tiberius – and the people responsible want him back to finish the job. He’s determined to find out the truth and eventually decides to face his nemesis head on but quickly realises that sacrifice may be his only solution to bringing an end to his experiments.
The origins for the story came from a short-story competition that had a genetics theme and which, in broad terms, ended up being the opening chapter. However, I wanted to find out what happened to Daniel from that point and was about three-quarters of the way through when I realised that trying to tie it all up within a short word count limit wouldn’t be practical. I knew then that there’d be a second book. But as I blocked out this novel I decided that it had enough legs to warrant a third book, with each of the books falling neatly into significant stages along Daniel’s road of discovery and challenge.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Taking the dog for a walk and making sure the voice-recording function on my phone is working. I quite often find that when I don’t have any distractions then my mind manages to find the answers to problems within the narrative or dialogue.
It’s just then a question of getting back fast enough to get it down before I lose the impetus.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anthony Horowitz, without doubt – his Alex Rider stories have heavily influenced my Tiberius stories.
Charlie Higson’s young adult books are also superb – who would have thought a comedian would be such a talented writer?
What are you working on now?
I’ve started making headway on Tiberius Crowned, and so far it’s going nicely. Don’t get me wrong, though; writing is still a tough gig especially when reader’s have expectations set by previous work. I’ve often read that a debut book can be the hardest but a writer may be able to spend years getting it polished but subsequent books need to be cranked out within a much shorter time. That’s tough.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
No one single method stands out at the moment. Websites like this are an invaluable source of getting the word out but social media plays a huge part. Always be active, always have something to say, always be positive. Help other writers, promote their work. I’m a great believer in Karma. And even if it doesn’t exist then at least you can say you’re a good person.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going. Be open to criticism and don’t take it too personally. We’re all very precious about our writing and if, when, someone comments on it in a fashion we’re not happy with then it’s easy to have a knee-jerk reaction.
If you’re having someone read your work – and I suggest you never let anyone read a work-in-progress – then ask them, if they think it needs improving, what it is about those things that doesn’t work. Never just ask people whether they like it or not. Most people will be polite but politeness won’t make the work better.
Bite the bullet, take the hit and grow a thick skin.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The difference between an amateur and a professional writer is that the latter didn’t give up. It’s so easy to cry off when the rejections and harsh criticisms come in. Be open to learn and improve. The more you write, the more you should improve.
What are you reading now?
Charlie Higson’s ‘Silverfin’
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same. Keep going keeping on going.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One of Bear Grylls’ survival books, one of Ray Mears’ survival books and Boat Building for Dummies.
Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Goodman Website
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