Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 33, an English Lit graduate, husband and father. I’ve written a few books over the years, but count the early ones as valuable practice. This is the first book I’ve published properly. I’m halfway through a second novel, and have plans in place for five more in various genres.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘In Human Skin’ and is the first in the ‘Legend and Lore’ trilogy. It was inspired by a love of myths, legends and cryptozoology, first cultivated by reading Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World as a child. My favourite writer is Stephen King. What I love about his work is that he treads a fine line between terror and wonder, and I wanted to explore the same dichotomy from my own point of view.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Expensive ones, maybe; I’m very fond of writing in coffee shops! I generally do about 1000 -2000 words a day, 5 days a week.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, Nightmares and Dreamscapes and IT are massive influences. Michael Crichton got me into science fiction, and Jurassic Park is the first ‘grown up’ novel I remember reading. I could list HP Lovecraft, Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, plus more recent authors like Alistair Reynolds, Robin Hobb, Mark Lawrence and George RR Martin as influences. He’s not an author but Stephen Spielberg has been a massive influence creatively, possibly THE greatest.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a science fiction novel called ‘Simulacra,’ that deals with simulated universes, quantum physics and questions of consciousness, as well as a good dose of adventure.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the marketing game. KDP select is useful, and I rely on Twitter a lot, although I’m discovering new websites like this one all the time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You’ll hear it a lot because it’s true- finish something. Get that first draft done, all of it. Don’t worry about quality, first drafts are meant to be rough. We’ve all heard the analogy about shovelling sand into a bucket so you can build a castle later. Write often, every day if you can, doesn’t have to be a lot. Read as much as you can.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read loads. Fiction, non-fiction, world affairs, everything and anything. It’s fuel for your imagination. Get all that info into your brain and all sorts of connections will form.
What are you reading now?
Too Like the Lightning, by Ada Palmer.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing Simulacra and sending it off to publishers and agents. I’m trying both traditional and self-published routes to see what works.
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?
Frankenstein, IT, Jurassic Park and a Bible.
Author Websites and Profiles
John Gray Website
John Gray’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account