Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Zimbabwe and moved with my family to South Africa in 1978. After matriculating from school, I was conscripted to serve for two years in the South African Defence Force. There I trained and operated as a Combat Medic on the volatile border between Namibia and Angola and was awarded the Pro Patria Medal in 1990. In my downtime I would find a shady spot to escape into books and dabble at writing science fiction and fantasy. Back in civvy street, married and working, I periodically and unsuccessfully tried to write.
In 2004, I emigrated to England with my family and in 2012 I sat down to plot yet another book idea. This time I focused on my deep interest in ancient history. By the end of that year I had written and edited Warhorn, the first title in the Sons of Iberia series. Since then I have written three more titles in the series. I have also written two novellas set in the ancient past and completed my late father-in-law’s manuscript, which was a contemporary thriller. All told, I have now written seven titles.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Offgrid Boaters, One Couples Alternative Nomad Life on a 25ft Yoghurt Pot. In 2018, my wife and I bought and moved onto a cabin cruiser boat. Offgrid Boaters is a look back at how we managed to do it with zero boating know-how and all the funny, terrifying, and amazing things that we have experienced. The paperback will be available to order from most indie and high street bookstores as well as online as an ebook. The yoghurt pot reference is not the name of our boat, but what steel narrowboaters call any glass-fibre vessels.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sitting on the deck of a boat in England while writing about long-dead Roman legionaries and Iberian warriors. Constantly praying that the sun will shine so that my single solar panel will keep my laptop running. Other than the challenges of off-grid life, I’m a typical plotter rather than pantser, and get very moody when life gets in the way of writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say James A. Michener’s epic tomes opened my mind to the allure of exotic cultures and the history of people rather than nations. Bryce Courtney’s books put me in the skin of ordinary people facing great adversity, and Bernard Cornwell’s fighting heroes have shown me the thrust and parry of battle.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the fifth title in the historical fiction series, Sons of Iberia. It is set during the Second Punic War and gives readers an insight into the ancient Iberians of Spain and how they fared during the war between Carthage and Rome. Instead of the typical Carthaginian of Roman viewpoint, the central characters are a mix of Iberians, Gauls, and Africans, giving a voice to people so often forgotten when talking of this period.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My go-to websites are my own and goodreads.com. After that, I rely on metadata on shopping platforms to put my books in front of people looking for the kind of tales I write.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be stubborn and be determined. Editing can wait until you are done. You need to build momentum to carry you through to the final page and you can’t do that if you’re fiddling with yesterday’s writing. Join groups and associations. I am an author member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (Alli) and an associate member of the Association of Independent Authors. Good luck!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The sandpit analogy. The first draft is the sandpit and all I need to do is put the sand in. I only build the sandcastle once the sandpit is full.
What are you reading now?
Antonin Varenne’s Retribution Road and AC Cobble’s Quill: The Cartographer Book 1
What’s next for you as a writer?
Audiobooks. I want to make my material available to listeners and I am exploring options including narrating the shorter books myself. Once I have done that, I plan to get my books translated into Spanish.
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?
Okay, let’s see. Some history, some DIY, some comedy and some cooking. Yes, that should keep me busy.
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
• The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing by David Seidman
• The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson and
• The Complete Coconut Cookbook: 200 Gluten-Free, Grain-Free and Nut-Free Vegan Recipes Using Coconut Flour, Oil, Sugar and More by Camilla Saulsbury
Author Websites and Profiles
Glenn Bauer Website
Glenn Bauer Amazon Profile
Glenn Bauer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account