Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an author I have written a number of books, including novels, poetry and children’s books. My novels are written as Brian L Porter and include: A Study in Red – The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper, Legacy of the Ripper, Requiem for the Ripper, Behind Closed Doors, Purple Death, Glastonbury, The Nemesis Cell, Avenue of the Dead, Kiss of Life, and the short story collection, After Armageddon, and my book of Remembrance poetry, Lest We Forget was also written under my primary name. Over the years I have been fortunate to have won various awards in the annual Preditors & Editors Readers Awards, including Best Author, Best Thriller, (A Study in Red – The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper), Best Mystery novel, (Glastonbury), and Best Children’s Book, (Tilly’s Tale).
I have also written a collection of very romantic poetry based on the time I spent in Mexico some years ago, under the pseudonym Juan Pablo Jalisco, and Of Aztecs and Conquistadors has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller in both the USA and the UK. As Juan Pablo, I won the Preditors & Editors Readers Award for ‘Best Poet, 2010)
Another Amazon #1 Bestseller came with my children’s book written as Harry Porter, (with illustrations by Sharon Lewis), entitled Alistair the Alligator.
In addition to my books, I am also the in-house screenwriter and co-producer at ThunderBall Films Ltd. I’m curently working on a number of screenplays and was recently the co-creator, co-producer and screenwriter of the ‘coming soon’ TV drama/documentary series, Jack the Ripper, Reality and Myth, featuring John Nettles, (Midsomer Murders), Mischa Barton, (The Sixth Sense), and Clive Mantle, (Casualty, Holby City).
When not writing, I am an ardent dog lover and my wife and i share own home and our lives with our wonderful ‘pack’ of rescued dogs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is Avenue of the Dead, a fast-paced thriller set against the backdrop of the ancient ruined city of Teotihuacan in Mexico. The book was inspired by a visit I made to Mexico some years ago, when I met and spoke to a wonderful old man who seemed to be filled with the combined knowledge of all the ancient cultures and the history of his country. Over a period of days, he educated me in the many ages of civilisation that have grown and died over many centuries in Mesoamerica, and when I was looking for a setting for my latest novel I could think of no better place than the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Though set in the present day, Avenue of the Dead brings the reader into direct contact with the ways of tose ancient peoples who inhabited the land we now know as Mexico many centuries before the Aztecs.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Only that I will often go to sleep at night and literally dream an entire story, from start to finish, and have the ability to recall the dream in enough detail to note the scenario down the next day, giving me the framework for a new novel, without having had to think too hard about it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Tess Gerritsen, Clive Cussler, Peter Robinson and Peter James, all of who have influenced me and my work over the years. Conan Doyle was for me the absolute master of mystery, Sherlock Holmes being the model for all great fictional detectives who have followed in Conan Doyle’s footsteps. Clive Cussler’s novels inspired me to seek to follow his wonderful talent for creating believable adventure from unbelievable scenarios, and Tess Gerriten’s medical thrillers are so wonderful to read and inspired my own novel, The Nemesis Cell.
What are you working on now?
Together with the hugely talented illustrator, Sharon Lewis, I’m curently working on a new children’s book, Percy the Pigeon, I’m also working on the sequel to Behind Closed Doors, with the working title, A Tainted Inheritance, as well as a couple of movie screenplays.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Facebook the most suitable and efficient means of promotion, with a whole host of groups available in which to market and promote one’s work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Quite simply, never give up tring toimprove your craft as a writer, and, if submitting your work to a publisher or publishers, do not let yourself become too despondent when the almost inevitable rejection letters or emails begin arriving. If your work, and your book is good enough, then there is a publisher out there who will want it. It just takes time to find that elusive link in the chain that takes you from aspiring writer to pubished author.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Very simply, it was this: Don’t be too self-satisfied with what you’ve written. Learn to be self-critical and be prepared to self-edit your work over and again until you know in your heart you’ve done the best job you can, and then, when the book is with your publisher and their editor makes even more changes to your precious manuscript, don’t take it personally and remember that though it may not seem like it at the time, your editor is there to help you, to make your book the best it can be and most importantly, to make it saleable!
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading ‘Ancients’ by David Lynn Golemon, a terrific action adventure novel, in the style of Clive Cussler or Matthew Reilly.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I have plenty to keep me going for the forseeable future, but one never knows what opportunities might present themselves in the future.
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?
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, stories I can read over and over again, and always find something I’ve missed in the past.
The Return of Serlock Holmes, for the same reasons as above.
Corsair, (Clive Cussler), a great seafaring tale to keep me entertained while awaiting rescue!
The Cruel Sea, (Nicholas Monserrat), one of the finest tales of the men who served in the cruellest of environments during the Second World War.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brian L Porter Website
Brian L Porter Amazon Profile
Brian L Porter’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile