Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Matthew Drzymala, I’m an indie author from Manchester, but now live in Liverpool, UK.
I write a series of stories called The Bumpkinton Tales, there are four single stories released in total and one collection. The collection has the 4 stories plus a bonus, unreleased story.
the titles of the released stories are: Last Christmas, Bittersweet, The Bachelor & Albert’s Christmas.
The bonus story in the collection is called The Family Jewels.
I’ve also written one non-Bumpkinton story. This is called Brainstorm and is about a clinical psychologist and his fight with depression. It’s quite a personal story and one that means a lot to me.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One, it is a collection of my Bumpkinton stories, plus a bonus unreleased tale.
The stories are inspired for my love of writingt comedy. Each story is different. One is about a newcomer to the village, opening a shop that they are keeping secret.
Another is about a singles night with a womanising idiot while others are about Christmas, protests and flirty florists with a fixation for one of the village priests.
I just love coming up with situations.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, no. I have my writing pattern, I write on certain days and times (due to work etc).
So I wouldn’t say I do anything unusual.
I’m probably a bit boring like that!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Pratchett, massively. Especially his Discworld series.
He was a master storyteller but he wrote with a lot of humour. That’s why I write comedy and if I could get 1% of is comedy genius into my stories, I’ll be a happy man.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the first Bumpkinton novel. My previous stories have been short stories and novellas. I’ve been writing it for 2 years and it’s almost read for my editor and proof readers to look it.
It’s called: The Fantastical Gregory Shortbread
It’s about a theatre extraordinaire who turns up in the village after a speight of vandalism and helps Bumpkinton raise money.
Naturally not everything goes to plan, there are hooded hoodlums running amok, the village busybody has had a change of personality and there are secrets everywhere.
Will Gregory have the energy to finish the job?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try to promote everywhere. I promote a lot on social media, do interviews on websites as well as try Goodreads.
I do a lot on my own website too, it’s hard being an indie, especially when you write humour. It’s a tough cookie and not a massively popular genre. I love it though.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write!
That’s all you have to do. Write. If you want to be a writer you’ll do it. You’ll love the highs, you’ll love the lows. You’ll just love it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write.
Honestly.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Phantom by Jo Nesbo, one of my favourite authors.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting my novel completed and published, then I am going to work on a story for younger readers. Between the ages of 8-12.
I have a character I want to get stuck into,, but all of my energies are aimed at my novel right now. Once that’s off being read and edited, I will start that story.
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 Green Mile by Stephen King
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien (it’s thick enough, it’ll keep me going for some time!)
I, Partridge: We Need To Talk About Alan by Alan Partridge
Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Drzymala Website
Matthew Drzymala Amazon Profile
Matthew Drzymala Author Profile on Smashwords
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