Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a UK based author living in Kent, England. I grew up with a passion for reading thriller novels at a young age, as well as watching the many dark, dystopian films that premiered during that time in the nineteen eighties. This would prove to be a massive inspiration for me in later life when I started to create my first book—Conservation.
My debut novel has taken me four years to write, with much revision and editing along the way. I think I’ve achieved what I was aiming for, which is a book that will leave you scared, disturbed, and wondering what earth has in store for humanity in the future.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Conservation’. It was inspired by the many sleepless nights I have worrying about the future. Overpopulation, climate change, poverty and famine are all very real problems and I wanted to tap into these subjects to create a tense, chilling novel that will stick in readers’ minds for years after reading it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write better at night than during the day, but my most unusual habit is writing large sections of early drafts on my smart phone. It’s really convenient, and enables me to write whilst I’m traveling about.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first person that always springs to mind when I get asked this question is Thomas Harris. I read Hannibal when I was younger and that book will always be one of my favourites.
Clive Barker is another influence to me, and of course, Stephen King.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my second novel which explores the subject of cryonics. Like ‘Conservaton’, this will be set in the future, and I hope to finish it by the end of 2017.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For the last six years or so I’ve spent a lot of time building up followers on Twitter, so I always post new updates on there.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about what you want to write about, not what you think is expected of you.
Also, when writing your stories, pretend that you will be the only person who will ever read it—you will be less reserved and inhibited in your approach that way.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t try to write a book that fits in with current trends, because the books that are on the shelves right now are at least two years old.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading ‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir.
It’s an impressive book and he must’ve done a huge amount of research for that. It does get just a little bit tiring halfway through in my opinion though.
What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I’m trying to promote my debut novel—Conservation—but at the same time I’m steadily chipping away at book number two.
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?
Hannibal by Thomas Harris, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, and The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Flynn Amazon Profile
James Flynn’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account