Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Foodist and writer with a hint of mint dividing time between south of France and London. Just published my ninth book and second full length novel with two collections about to be published in USA and Canada and a further book by author Chris Henson Tour De Europa to be published this summer – its a book about me on my book tour last year, funny, tragic and observational.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Life Of Parties. Its a fictional biography of a bright young thing Agatha Dewsbury. Agatha appears (albeit briefly) in my previous book Now Is Not The Time For Trumpets and as I was writing I felt she deserved a book and indeed a life story of her own, so I gave her one. The book is a complete analysis of her life from childhood, to becoming a writer, various love affairs and ultimately, and sadly, her downfall. But the real twist is that she doesn’t and ever has existed and yet the world I am am writing about did exist.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I observe everything , even with friends and always carry a notebook around so I can usually be found scribbling down a name or place I have hear and could use. Titles are also important to me. I am a nocturnal person so I love to write in peace at night without being disturbed. I guess one unusual habit would be walking my hound talking out loud various things I have composed to make sure it sounds right.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
E. M Delafield was a great writer, love the way she wrote and captured your imagination. Evelyn Waugh also, especially his early books before the war where he write about colourful beautiful people.
What are you working on now?
Two books. The first – Take Down The Flags – is a series of ten stories all set on 7 May 1945. I like to turn things round, end of war, people celebrating but would everyone be celebrating and waving flags – so my stories really look at the other side to the end of war. The other provisionally called Burn Baby Burn is a fictional novel set in the 1970s. It’s bringing together a whole set of short stories I wrote a few years ago and expanding them into something bigger. Obviously inspired by the disco era and I love the fact that both books are completely different in style and history so it is great to move between them.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social networking sites help but you have to get out and promote it and discus your book. So many people now self publish (which is great in itself) but the only downside is that so many good books go unnoticed. I used my Facebook and Twitter alot and have gained a small but good following. I have been fortunate in that I have done alot of media promotion, a few book tours so I have been able to get out there so to speak and promote the book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Edit. Write.
Keep writing, don’t throw anything away. I recently found a manuscript I wrote twenty years ago and its being reused into something else. Everything is valuable.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is what it is. It’s my usual saying when I am asked if I have any regrets in life.
What are you reading now?
I have just finished Gone To Ground – a real account of survival of a Jewish woman in Nazi Germany and totally recommended.
What’s next for you as a writer?
On the promo trail for my books but also some promotion for a book by Chris Henson Tour De Europa which is coming out in July. Chris came with me last year on my book tour and literally wrote down everything, snapshot conversations, observations, everything, and from that has created a funny book about life on the road promoting a book.
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?
Agatha Christie – Murder On The Orient Express. I read this every year, we know the story, we know the outcome, but I love the setting and observations. In my mind it is a classic.
Serious Pleasures – The Life of Stephen Tennant by Philip Hoare. I would have loved to have met Stephen, I think we would have been great chums. He was the David Bowie of the 1930s.
Under The Ivy – The Story of Kate Bush by Graeme Thomson. Friends know I am a huge fan, but this book gives a rare insight into her life.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Binmore Website
Mark Binmore Amazon Profile
Mark Binmore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account