Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I practiced as a lawyer for many years, and in that time I had one book and several articles published in the legal press. The book was called “The Cash Collection Action Kit” and was written jointly with Jane Harrison, my then business partner. I had articles published in the New Law Journal, and on one occasion wrote the editorial article for the Law Society Gazette.
I run a review site for coffeemakers and espresso machines and write for that in order to earn commissions from Amazon.
I have a few non-fiction books on Kindle, written under pen names.
I’ve written plenty of fiction for pleasure, and now I’m looking at it again with a view to improving or enlarging it for publication on Amazon’s Kindle platform, before going on to new ideas.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Satisfying Natalie’. I sat down at the keyboard one morning with this idea in my head. It goes back a long way to when I took a holiday in an English holiday camp while still in my teens. There were other inspirations as well, and the story gradually took shape as I wrote it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No really unusual writing habits. I have to organize my writing schedule around looking after several chickens. I only write during the week, taking weekends off completely, though I do often keep a notepad and pen handy to write down any ideas that come up, knowing from experience that it’s impossible to remember them at a later time without doing that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Geoffrey Chaucer, Emily Bronte, Joseph Conrad, Neville Shute, Jean Auel, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Dennis Wheatley, Ira Levin, among many others.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on another short story or novella called ‘Last Number Redial’, a horror story about a young man who buys an old mobile phone that is haunted by a previous owner, and the things that happen to him subsequently.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The only site I know of in this connection is the Author Marketing Club and the various sites they embrace.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My mentor (Angela Booth) says to write every day. I can’t better that.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. If you have a dream then pursue it and don’t let other people discourage you.
What are you reading now?
A collection of short horror stories from Stephen King called “Nightmares and Dreamscapes”.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To get several short stories published on Amazon, including Kindle.
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 DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, Shogun by James Clavell, Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte, and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Author Websites and Profiles
Philip Gegan Website
Philip Gegan’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account