Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Penzance (‘as in, Pirates of…’ I once heard a tourist say), Cornwall. Naturally, a childhood growing up by the sea led to career ambitions of becoming a pirate (the friendly, rum-drinking type, not the wicked, pillaging type). But due to a morbid terror of open water and the fact that I was, and remain, the type of swimmer who does very well at drowning, I moved to London and opted for my second career choice: to become a writer.
I grew up on a diet of mystery and suspense books, films and TV shows, so I guess it makes sense it’s the genre I feel most affinity with. I love stories with twists and turns, and enjoy trying to second-guess the plot reveals.
My writing is pretty dark and sometimes creepy, but never explicitly violent or gory. I’ve written five books so far – a standalone dark fairy tale for adults called The Hiding House; a roadside diner horror thriller called Walking After Midnight; and three books in the Emily Swanson series, which is a mystery thriller series following a troubled young ex-teacher as she becomes embroiled in various mysteries.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cold Hearts. It’s the third novel in the Emily Swanson mystery thriller series. Emily is a bit of a damaged character with a disturbing past who also happens to be an amateur sleuth. In Cold Hearts, she unwittingly takes on an evil corporation, so it’s a bit of a conspiracy thriller in that aspect. The crime she uncovers in the story is heavily inspired by a true life crime that took place in the UK. I won’t say what it is as that would ruin the story… but when I first read about it I was truly shocked. In fact, each book in the Emily Swanson series has been inspired by one true life crime or another.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always wear headphones when I write – but usually with no music playing. I just need to shut out the real world so I can fully enter the world I’m creating. This also includes shutting the curtains and facing a blank wall while I write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy, Nicci French, Sue Grafton, Aldous Huxley. One of my all time favourite novels is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I love how it blends so many genres while still having a healthy dose of mystery at its core. Also, Sebold’s writing is just beautiful and unafraid to go to painful places. I like emotionally intense stories, and I try to bring that to my own writing and characters.
What are you working on now?
I’m about to start work on the fourth Emily Swanson mystery thriller. I’m really excited about this one as it’s going to tie up the current story arc in a really shocking way.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method any author can have is to grow an email list of readers to promote their books to – offer something free like a novella or second in series in exchange for an email address. You also need to promote your new books or any discounted promotions you’re running – there are a number of great sites to do this including BookBub, Free Booksy, Robin Reads, Book Sends, ENT, and Awesomegang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Read a lot in the genre you want to write in – get to know the genres and conventions. Readers will know them well and will expect them to occur.
2. Always find time to write – even five minutes a day will eventually get a book written.
3. First drafts are meant to be crappy – don’t beat yourself up! Just get the story down and make it brilliant in later drafts.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Building you writing career is like running a marathon not a race – I’m eighteen months in and I’m getting closer towards writing full time, but still have some way to go. It can be frustrating to not see your book become an overnight success, but remember that 99% of those overnight successes were actually writing for years before with several books under their belt.
What are you reading now?
Sue Grafton’s ‘X’. Such a great series and heroine.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once the fourth Emily Swanson novel is complete, I’ll be starting a new series set in a mysterious coastal town. As much as I love writing Emily’s adventures, I’m looking forward to exploring a whole new set of characters and settings.
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 Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Misery by Stephen King
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Author Websites and Profiles
Malcolm Richards Website
Malcolm Richards Amazon Profile
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