Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired electrical engineer. In my youth I served as an RAF fighter pilot. After retirement I spent about half my time sailing my 42 ft cutter-rigged sailboat ‘Fiona’. I have made two circumnavigations of the world, sailed to both polar regions and transited the Northwest Passage. I have written two books; a non-fiction memoir about sailing and a novel about the British attempt to rule Iraq between the world wars.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is entitled ‘Wings over Iraq’, Britain was awarded custody of the newly created country of Iraq after WWI. They were to govern until Iraq was ready for independence. Britain was mainly interested in the plentiful oil reserves which they protected by air patrols using obsolete WWI bombers; the Vickers Vimy. When I was in the RAF in the 1950s I heard hair-raising stories told by old-timers about flying in Iraq before WWII. Those stories were my inspiration for writing the novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For many years I practiced as an engineer, this entailed writing numerous technical reports. I also authored over a hundred refereed articles in engineering journals, I think this led to a writing style which is precise, accurate and devoid of unnecessary verbiage. Of course, in my novel I have attempted to clothe characters and places with enough description to engage the reader.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I my early years I liked books about flying, typically Nevil Shute and Ernest Gann, but I read voraciously books about a wide range of subjects. I like non-fiction histories, e.g. Barbara Tuchman, and historical novels, Patrick O’Brien and Robert Harris. For imaginative, beautiful English its hard to find a better writer than JRR Tolkien. Turning to sailing, I was impressed by Eric Hiscock and W. Tilman.
What are you working on now?
I am turning over a few ideas but I am not working directly on a book at the moment.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Widely read reviews by a reviewer that knows your subject are good. Successful promotion is probably the hardest thing to accomplish.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for your own enjoyment. Very few authors make the New York Times best seller list.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep it simple
What are you reading now?
‘Erebus’ by Michael Palin
What’s next for you as a writer?
If I feel my books have reached a reasonably-sized audience I will write a follow-up.
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 Lord of the Ring’ by JRR Tolkien. ‘My Secret life’ by Anonymous. ‘Collected works of W. Tilman
Author Websites and Profiles
Eric Forsyth Website