Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in the UK, I was educated through the British Grammar School system, which unfortunately no longer exists. An avid and voracious reader from an early age, I developed a love for the written word. Over the years, an eclectic taste in book genres developed, encompassing everything from the classics through sci-fi, fantasy, detective & thriller novels and biographies. The real mainstay was always the suspense thrillers, which is where the seed of an idea, which became The Piedersen Conspiracy germinated. A second book, Stanhope Stanilav is currently part way through the writing process and will hopefully be available in June of this year. A further book Athelstan’s Legacy is also under way.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Piedersen Conspiracy started life as BEC, which stands for business e-mail compromise. After reading an FBI report regarding a scam whereby a company was targeted and transferred monies to a fraudulent bank account I was intrigued by the scam. It is a huge fraud that is worldwide and hardly anyone seems to be knowledgeable about it. I wove a story around it and for some reason a huge shipping empire seemed the ideal conduit. Whilst the scam is pivotal to the story line, as the story developed new ideas came to the fore and The Piedersen Conspiracy came into being.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m sure many of my fellow authors would think I am pretty pedestrian in my writing habits. I do have a tendency to start writing when I’m inspired and all thought of climbing into the shower, getting dressed or eating can be placed on the back burner.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Obviously, nearly all authors read books in the genre they write in. I enjoy such authors as James Patterson, Lee Child, Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly. I have also had the privilege of working with a number of lesser known authors who are nevertheless excellent writers. These include Tim Stevens, James P. Sumner, John Carson, Barry Buckingham and Rex Grainger. My reading tastes remain eclectic and I’m happy to read books from various genres as long as the book is well crafted.
What are you working on now?
The current project is Stanhope Stanislav. Based on Ed Vandera, one of the main characters in The Piedersen Conspiracy, it is based in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad. A British Intelligence Officer defects in Russia and resurfaces with murder and mayhem on his mind. Ed is the Special Ops Officer who is sent in to infiltrate and neutralise Stanhope’s organisation. A task that becomes all the more difficult when Ed discovers a billionaire oligarch has his own agenda and tries to persuade Ed to work with him, not knowing his true role in the matter.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book promotion is a major hurdle for any budding author. There are plenty of programs out there, all of which claim to be the great elixir that will shoot you into stardom. The problem is any formula that works for one author at any given moment in time does not ensure the same level of success if copied and repeated. The marketplace is a moveable feast and no single method is going to work for everyone. Sites such as this offer a great platform for new authors, especially if used in conjunction with social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I could offer any new author would be to find a good editor/proofreader. There are affordable options out there and that was certainly my first port of call. Despite Amazon’s promises, there are numerous books being put up on Amazon that have never seen a spellcheck program, never mind an editor. Readers are rightly indignant at finding poorly presented books and a certain path to disaster is to present an unedited manuscript.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up the day job. There are very few authors who achieve fame and fortune, though we all aspire to earn millions and be the next J.K.Rowling or J.R.R.Tolkien or James Patterson. Despite that I’m certain I will make a modest income if I stick at it for long enough.
What are you reading now?
I am reading Blank by Richard C Hale. The book is somewhat different to much of what I read, but is an interesting phenomena about a boy born with no face. Conveying the concept as well as it is in the book, would mean me doing the author an injustice.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I intend to develop the characters of Ed Vandera and Marti Ellis throughout the coming books. My hope is to complete a further two novels in the series by the end of 2016.
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 perennial question of which books to take. I would certainly have to have a copy of Lord of the Rings. I read the book long before it became the huge blockbuster that spawned the films. I have read the book several times and have to say I never tire of it. I would probably cheat and take an anthology of the Harry Potter books, if such a thing exists. That way I get more bang for my buck. I would also have to have something to make me laugh, so either a Tom Holt or Tom Sharpe novel. As they both write brilliant books anyone of their titles would do.
Author Websites and Profiles
Christian Dane Website
Christian Dane Amazon Profile
Christian Dane’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account