Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I work as an airline captain with a major European airline, but only part-time. Over the winter (and, if I’m honest, during the cruise too) I write books. The Pillars of Abraham is my first serious novel, but I wrote a children’s book, Little Green Men, a few years ago.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I guess my latest book is The Pillars of Abraham. It was inspired by a science module I took at university: the idea that prior to our solar system, there was another sun right here, taking centre stage in its own solar system. Everything in our solar system is made from the debris that resulted when the star exploded in a supernova. I wondered if it hosted planets that could have supported life. What if they buried something in a chunk of rock that later became one of the billions of chunks that went on to form the Earth? And what if we found it?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in two places: my local coffee shop (always at the same table) and at 38,000 feet in the cruise.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
William Boyd is someone I try to emulate — literary thrillers, character driven. Not sure I get close, though. I think I would do better writing comedy, but I read thrillers as a preference and so I think I ought to write what I enjoy reading.
What are you working on now?
A sequel to the Pillars of Abraham. I was recently in Prague doing some research.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m rubbish at promoting my books! I just love writing and hope that someone will stumble across my books, then tell their friends!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
READ. Don’t bother with creative writing course. Just read books by writers you admire. Analyse how they produce the effects they do on you as a reader. What literary techniques do they employ and how do they affect the story? I think a literature degree is far more effective than a creative writing degree when it comes to training storytellers.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write. There are no aspiring writers, only people who write and people who don’t. Just write something, get started, it doesn’t matter how crap it is. You can polish it later.
What are you reading now?
Sam Eastland, Eye of the Red Tsar.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learn more about promoting my 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?
1. How to Catch Fish and other wildlife
2. How to recognise poisonous berries
3. The complete works of Charles Dickens — that would last me a lifetime.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ian Young Website
Ian Young Amazon Profile