Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a widely published poet, having been published in many magazines and anthologies. My debut collection, ‘Lacuna’ was published by Black Pear Press. I am currently editing a fantasy novel and working on too many projects to mention, whilst performing on the Spoken Word scene and working with the Worcestershire Literary Festival team. I have won a few competitions, including comedy and poetry awards. I juggle my writing with my full-time catering manager job and family.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lacuna. It means ‘something missing, particularly from a manuscript’. I wanted to release a collection that got readers really looking for something. The cover was designed by my elder brother, Damien Davis, and featured an excellent photograph of ‘The Jurors’. The empty chairs just screamed ‘Lacuna’ at me. I was most fortunate to work with Polly Stretton, an amazing poet, and an amazing lady. Polly edited Lacuna, helping me to ‘fill in’ the missing parts.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not so much unusual, as annoying for my wife. Because of my busy life and time spent with our children, I write wherever and whenever I can. I wake up and jot things down in the middle of the night, on journeys, in the pub, at dinner, on any scrap of paper available, even on toilet roll! I write everything by hand, transfer in to notebooks more legibly, then type up and edit. I then edit again, leave it for a while and edit again before sending out to beta readers and my editors.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many, it would be hard to list them all. I read so much! Fantasy writers like the old faves (Tolkien, Eddings, Feist, Prachett, LeGuin) and Dragonlance writers (I am a collector of Dragonlance and have hundreds of books and products related to the brand). Poets like Thomas Hardy and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, as well as more modern poets like Polly Stretton, Paul F. Lenzi, Sue Johnson, Brenda Read-Brown. Story-telling poets like Charley Barnes and Nina Lewis are current favourites.
What are you working on now?
One fantasy Novel and potentially many more (I have an entire fantasy world I have been building since I was little).
A lot of poetry, two complete collections I am pitching and working on a third at present.
Some writing guides.
Comedy poetry (silly stuff).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, this marketing is all new to me, so I am still learning. Sites like this and social media are a good starting block. I’ll be happy to share any marketing success stories if I am fortunate enough to experience them!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write. Read a lot. Write a lot. Never give up. Join a writers’ circle, go to spoken word events and engage with the writing community in your area (even if you don’t want to perform). Being a part of the literary ‘scene’ is wonderful, my local writing community are exceptionally encouraging. I have made some super friends and we all help each other with writing and promoting.
Don’t take criticism to heart, or rejections. Keep on keeping on. Be, breathe, believe. Make it happen!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Playwright, Julian Armistead (who wrote ‘After the Accident’) told me to join a writing circle. Best thing I ever did, with regards to my writing. My writing has improved, I have made some wonderful friends and made contacts within the community that have led to great opportunities
What are you reading now?
Paul F. Lenzi’s Forest voices
Thomas Hardy’s Collected Poems
George Macdonald’s Lilith
Jean Rabe’s Goblin Nation
What’s next for you as a writer?
I aim to finish the ‘final’ edit of the fantasy novel, and start submitting to agents and or publishers.
I will continue to work on my fantasy world and poetry, I aim to start submitting to competitions and publications again in 2018.
Hopefully, I’ll publish the next two poetry collections. I’ll continue to support other writers and help with the Worcestershire Literary festival.
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?
The Dragonlance Chronicles
The Complete Works of W H Audin
The Lord of the Rings
Author Websites and Profiles
Kieran Davis Website
Kieran Davis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile