Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Stoke-on-Trent, in the North of England, and grew up there. I am a former sportswriter and the author of nine books, including The Soul of Boxing, which was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. I live on the Isle of Dogs in East London.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Body in the Freezer. It’s a short novel about a depressed guy called Boyd who gets himself into all kinds of trouble while trying to impresss his psychopathic and sexually depraved girlfriend. The story was inspired by a true life BBC documentary about a human body parts business.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if it’s unusual or not, but I rarely have an ending worked out. I tend to go with the flow of the story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cormac McCarthy, Sam Shepherd…
What are you working on now?
The Rivers That Run Through Us – a collection of (joined up) surreal stories set in the Isle of Dogs.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, finish! Just write it and finish it, and fine-tune later. Perfection = procrastination.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write it and finish it, and fine-tune later.
What are you reading now?
Estuary: Out from London to the Sea by Rachel Lichtenstein.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A short novel, Three Days in Thirty-Nine.
Based on a true story.
I co-wrote the screenplay for a US film production company, which optioned the original manuscript.
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?
Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea.
Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, The Wheel of Life