Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the product of when a five-year-old boy who fell in love with Guy William’s Zorro becomes a mostly functional adult. I now write historical adventure novels and short stories. When not writing about swashbucklers I practice swashbuckling, studying period fencing manuals in historical fencing.
At the moment I’ve written three short-stories and one story collection, and am working on a full-length historical adventure novel that takes place during King Henry IV of France’s reign.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is JAKE HAWKING & THE BOUNTY HUNTERS. It’s a collection of the first three Jake Hawking Adventure short stories that were originally available as solo short stories. Now all three are collected in one book and includes some bonus short stories and swashbuckling poems.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I still hold down a day job so I write whenever I can, usually during the lunch break or at night on the couch. Nothing crazy, nothing weird. I keep it simple.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rafael Sabatini is, by far, my favorite author. He really knew how to turn a phrase and he pretty much took all the greatest lines and descriptions and left the rest of us writers with just scraps. He’s a fantastic writer. Also on the list is Alexandre Dumas and Arturo Perez-Reverte.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a historical adventure novel that takes place in early 17th Century France (pre-Musketeer era), during the reign of King Henri IV. It has sword fights, highwaymen, brave chevaliers, hooded and masked assassins, shadowy figures and political intrigue. I’m currently on the second round of revision and it should be ready for publication early-winter.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Sites like AwesomeGang are a great way to get in front of new readers. Running giveaways with rafflecopter has also been a huge boon to getting new followers on social media (which helps lead to new reader), and doing blog hops with other authors in my genres.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story you want to write. Be brutally honest with yourself when you revise but make sure you have a friend or two to keep you from permanently hitting the delete button on the story. Have fun, dream big, and write whenever you can.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the story you want to read.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading ‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ by Scott Lynch.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish this second round of edits on the new book, while figuring out what the next story will be.
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?
Captain Alatriste
Captain Blood
The Three Musketeers
The Most Dangerous Game
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