Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former MI6 covert operative who spent many years travelling the world and dealing with matters pertaining to the national security of Great Britain and its allies. My work as a spy was extremely complex and hazardous. I retired from MI6 a decade ago and became a writer. Since then I’ve written 14 published thriller novels, including the “Spycatcher” series and “Ben Sign” series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is The Spy Thief.
It’s the 5th standalone novel in my “Ben Sign” series and has just been published, exclusive to Amazon in e-book and paperback format.
The front cover of the book uses a photograph my father took in London in 1965. I’ve had the photo for years and always thought it would make a great cover for one of my books. But I needed the right story to match the shot. The photo inspired me to consider what that story would be.
The Spy Thief is about a senior British official who is stealing British secrets and selling them to hostile foreign agencies. The individual’s identity and motivation for treachery are unknown. What is known is that the traitor – code name The Thief – is devastating global security. Former MI6 spy turned investigator Ben Sign is discretely tasked to identify and neutralise The Thief. The brilliant tactician constructs a masterful plan. But, he soon realises that his adversary is his intellectual equal. And, The Thief is utterly ruthless. What follows is a figurative game of high-stakes chess, played by two grandmasters, where one wrong move will have deadly consequences.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I live and breathe writing and as a result don’t really have any writing habits or routines. Sometimes, I can be writing while the sun comes up and I’m eating “dinner” for “breakfast”. I love having a fluid, unstructured, approach to my work. There are days when I will stop writing and realise I’ve been hard at work for twenty four hours. Other days I may take one look at my computer screen and think, “Nah. Not feeling it right now”. I’m experienced enough to know when I’m firing on all cylinders and when I’ve got a bit of grit in the workings. If I’m not “in the zone” I don’t write. That approach spares me from the psychological sucker-punch of deleting swathes of sub-standard work. I apply extremely high standards.to myself. I only write when I’m at peak mental fitness.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a boy I was a voracious reader and spent hours in second-hand bookstores, scouring the shelves. Many of the books I bought were out-of-print obscure works about nineteenth century explorers and the like. I was curious and wanted to know about the world from the perspective of intrigue and adventure.
In terms of well-known authors, I enjoyed books by Conrad, Conan Doyle, Forsyth, le Carre, Alan Furst, Jeffrey Deaver, and so many others. As a lad, I had fire in my belly and was always looking at the horizon while wondering what was out there. I gravitate to authors who I strongly suspect share the same mindset.
What are you working on now?
Having just published The Spy Thief, in theory I should be taking a break. I won’t; never do. So, now I’m starting to collect my thoughts on the next Ben Sign novel. And I’m thinking about one or two other writing projects. The priority will be the 6th Ben Sign novel, due for publication in 2022.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very active on social media and can easily be found on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, Amazon, LinkedIn, and my subscriber YouTube channel.
I’ve also done a lot of work as an author and commentator in the media. Some of my media appearances are on the Net.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a two or three page plot-outline before writing your book. The plot/synopsis must have a beginning, middle, and an end. Sweat over those 2 or 3 pages. Stress-test them; look for chinks and flaws in logic; if something is nagging you listen to your “nag” and do something about it. The plot-outline is your story. It’s the most important thing to get right.
Storytelling is king. After all, writers are two a penny. But true story-tellers are a rare breed. Try out the first half of your story on friends. Tell it to them verbally, while you’re sitting in a cafe or pub. You’ll know if they’re bored by your story. But if they’re motionless while listening to you, their mouths slightly open, eyes unblinking, drinks held still mid-air, then you know you’ve captivated them. And if that’s the case, by golly you’ve got a story to tell. So, then, and only then, get writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always put one foot in front of the other.
The French Foreign Legion’s informal motto has a similar if somewhat more absolute observation – “March or Die”.
Either way, you get the gist.
What are you reading now?
I own a handwritten diary from 1789 that was written by a young Royal Navy officer while onboard his first voyage to various locations around the world. His account of the crew’s exploits are fascinating and evocative, not least because their expeditions and engagements took place during a fascinating time in history. The diary is very fragile and important, so I have to be extremely delicate when I read the book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More Ben Sign novels.
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?
(1) The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle;
(2) Dark Star by Alan Furst;
(3) Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre.
(4) The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth.
Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Dunn Amazon Profile
Matthew Dunn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account