Interview With Author James Rutter
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Just released my first crime fiction book – a 46000 word novella called Rat Trap but have been working on two other novels that will be released shortly.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
RAT TRAP and it is inspired by real events that happened to me. My chequered history includes owning an off-road motorcycle business in the UK. Set during COVID lockdowns of 2020, RAT TRAP follows the owner (Simon Whitby, aka me) as he tries to catch the thieves who stole £120,000 worth of motorcycles from his business. The police and insurance have let him down, so he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. Seen through Simon’s eyes and that of his partner Georgia, RAT TRAP is a fast-paced revenge drama that re-traces the dramatic twists and turns of his perilous and increasingly desperate plan to recover his business, his life and his self-respect.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I drink far too much coffee (nothing unusual there as far as writers go) but I will occasionally skip for 5 minute sessions to think about the plot and other possibilities before returning to the laptop. Burns off a few milky coffee calories as well.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Plenty – but a few recent reads include :
John Marrs – The One, The Passengers, When You Disappeared
T.M Logan – Trust Me
Dandy Smith – One Small Mistake
John Boyd – Crippen
Catherine Ryan Howard – The Nothing Man
What are you working on now?
Promoting my novella. As an indie author, that’s a big chunk of time you have to find as well as working on other books. I have two novels that are close to completion. They are :
LIFE SWAP INCORPORATED
Set in the 1980’s North West England, 24 year old Jim Verne is offered the chance to swap his mundane life as a junior accountant for 12 months of fun, adventure and possibly romance. Sound too good to be true ? Jim is willing to take the risk, but soon realises that there is more to Life-Swap than fancy cars, smart apartments and skiing holidays.
APARTMENT 3.2
How can inheriting a luxury penthouse Apartment in Manchester be a bad thing ? For Tom Wiggins, it was a dream come true, but he soon realises that the apartment comes with a lot of history and dodgy baggage.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still finding out – hopefully Awesome Gang ! . . .I’ve heard good things.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m too new to writing to offer advice. But, I’ve been running my own business since I was 23 and the same principles apply. You have to care, be passionate, listen, change and adapt when necessary, and above all work hard.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To succeed you need a bit of luck. But the harder you work, the luckier you get.
What are you reading now?
Lars Kepler – The Hypnotist
. . . and the Yamaha Tenere 700 owners manual as I need to do a 6,000 mile service on my bike.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, it’s always about the next book. I want to get my next two books out but develop a couple of other storylines I have already sketched out. Also to create Audiobooks to attract those who aren’t quite as keen to read.
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?
Either 3 books I hadn’t read, or 3 books on a) raft building, b) log cabin building, and c) making tasty soup from palm trees and seaweed.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Rutter’s Social Media Links