Paul Greer

Interview With Author Paul Greer

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired Religious Studies teacher living in Wales, UK, with a doctorate in the field earned many years ago. Since retirement, I’ve devoted myself to writing fiction with a gothic horror sensibility, alongside several specialist books exploring unconventional spiritual topics—including a comparative study of Buddhist philosophy and tarot symbolism. I also co-author a series of gothic humor novels with my friend Dave Cartwright, featuring Eric Burncastle, a Wodehousian aristocrat whose misadventures blend the macabre with the absurd. I’vewritten about ten books in total

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novella is entitled Melmoth’s Chain, inspired by Charles Maturin’s classic Melmoth the Wanderer. Maturin’s original features a Faustian figure who roams the world attempting to lure desperate souls into making pacts with the devil in order to escape his own damnation. My version takes a more optimistic and contemporary approach, weaving in modern concerns like pandemic preparedness while reimagining Melmoth as a more morally complex and potentially redeemable character than Maturin’s irredeemable wanderer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I draw much of my inspiration from watching public domain gothic horror films, and have written reimaginings of several cult classics, including Gabbo the Great, Carnival of Souls, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and Dementia 13.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A typical eclectic fayre – Lovecraft, Poe, Dan Simmons, Tolkien, Terry Pratchett, Gaiman, Neal Stephenson, Umberto Eco, Wodehouse

What are you working on now?
A Scottish folklore, inspired by Lovecraft.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Kindle direct – been pretty good so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
proofread, edit, and repeat. Many times.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make sure your friends and family read your stuff first – they can offer some very useful objectivity.

What are you reading now?
The Passion of the Westrn Mind by Tarnas.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Not sure – I’m finishing my Scottish folklore book at the moment

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?
Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (nice long read), Simmons’ Hyperion cantos, Stephenson’s Anathem, and an anthology of Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster books

 

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