Interview With Author Fil Reid
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live on a canal boat in the south of England with my husband and our Romanian rescue dog, Bella, and our elderly cat. We’ve been on the boat for ten years now and before that we lived in France where I learnt to speak fluent French pretty quickly.
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) after two of my now grownup sons were, and that explained a lot to me, especially my life long love of horses and my obsession with all things Arthurian.
I began writing at age 5 when my parents gave me a Petite Children’s Typewriter, and with a few breaks for children and working, I’ve written ever since. My third book is about to come out, published by Dragonblade Publishing, and I have some children’s and YA books with my agent at the moment.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have a series out at the moment with the main title being Guinevere. Books one and two, The Dragon Ring and The Bear’s Heart are already out, and book three, The Sword, is out on May 31st. They’re set in the Arthurian Dark Ages, with a Time Travel twist.
The inspiration for these books came to me about 20 years ago.
My husband and I had gone to visit Glastonbury Tor (thought by some to be the entrance to Avalon) and at the foot he took four photos on motordrive using infrared film (he didn’t have digital back then). Back home he developed the film and had a look at the negatives. In the first photo the ruined church tower on top of the Tor is visible clearly, in the second photo it’s fading, in the third it’s vanished, in the fourth it’s back.
No explanation. has been found, even though specialists have looked at the negatives. I was left wondering if we’d had a momentary vision of what the Tor looked back in the past before the church tower was built, which led to me wondering what would have happened if we’d been inside the tower when that happened.
I’d wanted to write the story of King Arthur as seen through the eyes of his wife for a long time. And so Guinevere: The Dragon Ring was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I’m a total pantser. I never plot out my stories but just sit down and write and they unfold before me as I go. Of course, I often have a vague idea in my head where I would like them to end up, but that doesn’t always work out.
I shut out the world with noise cancelling headphones while I write, but I’d think a lot of writers might do that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think when I first began writing in earnest with the idea of being published, and began my MG novels that I’d like to get published now, my biggest influence was probably Alan Garner and his wonderful children’s stories about Alderley Edge in Cheshire.
As an adult I suppose it might be Philippa Gregory and her well-researched historical novels.
What are you working on now?
I’ve got all six books finished for my Guinevere series, so have time to think about something else right now.
At the moment I’m in the research stage for a historical romance based on a true story set in medieval Wales. It began as a one off, but the more I’ve researched it the more I’ve found and I think it might end up as several books, as my research has led me to discover someone I didn’t even know existed who would make at least one other book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is something I’m not that good at!
I belong to a lot of facebook groups and I think that helps, and I’ve advertised on amazon, but you’re asking a total novice here. I’m hoping this will help!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s really hard to get anyone to take any notice of your books even if they’re good. I must have submitted to about a hundred or more agents and publishers and entered quite a few competitions. It’s worth it in the end. Keep at it. Never give up. One day it will happen for you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get your book professionally edited by a reputable editor not just someone who thinks they can edit. It’s worth every penny.
What are you reading now?
I’m part way through Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie – it’s about a Roman army doctor posted to Britannia in the early second century, during the reign of Hadrian. It’s a detective story with a difference and she’s an excellent writer whose attention to detail is amazing. I’m very much enjoying it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I’d like to get my children’s and YA books published if I can. And I’m working on a new historical novel set in medieval Wales. Just at the research stage with this one right now.
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?
I think I’d take three really long ones!
So maybe Gone with the Wind, that I’ve loved from a teenager, even though it’s not considered PC nowadays.
The Bible might be uplifting in that situation.
A book of poetry – my favourite as a child was The Song of Hiawatha which my aunt gave me for my 8th birthday and I loved.
Can I have the Complete Works of Shakespeare? I’m pretty sure that’s available in one book. I love Shakespeare and that would keep me going for a long time. I could just start again once I reached the end!
Author Websites and Profiles
Fil Reid’s Social Media Links