Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a screenwriter and have recently turned to self-publishing as a way to do something productive with the folders full of unproduced screenplays on my hard drive. I’ve written two books so far, the first is The Library of Lost Souls and is part of a series about a witch called Jenny Ringo. The second also features the same character but it’s a standalone side story called Christmas Chopping.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is Christmas Chopping. I’ve been writing a series of horror comedy novels about a witch and I thought it might be fun to write a one-off Christmas special. It stared as a NaNoWriMo challenge, I was struggling with the second book in the series and decided that just writing anything was better than staring at a blank page. As the story developed I realised it had some potential as a novella so I worked out the structure and made it into a complete story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Because I work full time and have two young children I’ve taught myself to be able to write anywhere at anytime. I didn’t have a choice really, if I’d stuck to the romantic notion of a writer working at a lovely big desk I’d never finish anything. I used to do most of my writing on the train to and from work but now I’m working from home I either write really early in the morning or really late at night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Clive Barker was a huge influence, although it’s maybe not apparent in my books, which are much lighter than his. He made me want to be a writer from an early age. David Wong was more of a direct influence because I’d never really read anything quite that chaotic before and I think it gave me permission to try something along similar lines.
What are you working on now?
I’m still working on the second book in the main series, which is really close to being finished. I’m trying to do something quite complicated with the structure so it’s taking longer than my other books but I think it will be quite unique when I finish it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to figure that out really! I’ve had some good results from Facebook ads, more so than Amazon ads although I always have a couple of those running as well. I’ve used Christmas Chopping as a way to get more people reading the series so Book Funnel has been really useful for that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your own path and learn from your own mistakes. Basically, don’t listen to any advice from other authors!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To just go and make the art, not wait for permission.
What are you reading now?
Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber. I watched three movies based on this book so thought I should probably read it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My first horror feature film, Paintball Massacre, will be released in the US on 15th December and then in the UK next year, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that goes. Other than that I’ll be writing more Jenny Ringo books.
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?
Books of Blood by Clive Barker, Neuromancer by William Gibson, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.
Author Websites and Profiles
Chris Regan Website
Chris Regan Amazon Profile
Chris Regan’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account