Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an Australian writer of literary satire, a linguist, and world traveler. I write books that make you laugh – and then think.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called Number Eight Crispy Chicken. It follows the misadventures of an immigration minister, Peter, who has made a career out of detaining asylum seekers, but who finds himself detained in a foreign airport. It was inspired by my own experience of being stranded in an airport, and my dismay at the treatment of those who seek asylum in my own country.
The title itself was inspired by the name of the only food I had to eat during my time in the airport – and the only food Peter has access to as well – number eight crispy chicken burgers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I first got back into writing thanks to a delayed flight! Although the resultant book was terrible, it rekindled my love of writing.
The next time I was stranded in an airport, I had a number of surreal experiences that I just had to start writing about. And when I thought about a character that could learn from being in a similar situation, the character of Peter Ruddick, Minister for Asylum Deterrence and Foreign Investment came to mind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Tressell and George Orwell are major inspirations for my work. I also love Terry Pratchett, Margret Atwood, Douglas Adams, and countless other authors who manage to make me laugh, make me think, or both.
What are you working on now?
My work-in-progress novel focuses on propaganda and advertising – and the blurred line between them.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I knew! I’ve been truly honoured by the readers who have purchased Number Eight Crispy Chicken so far, but this is something I’m still figuring out. I’m new to indie publishing, so it’s all a big adventure – but one I’m trying to collect data on so I can learn as I go. My hope is that I can figure out what works and, in the future, devote my attention to only those activities I know will help the most, so that I have more time for writing!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want. Not what you think a publisher or even a reader might like. But what you want to write. The ultimate goal is to be happy with what you produce.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think it was probably a variation on what I wrote above. The Courage to be Disliked is a fantastic book that challenges us not to be held back by worrying about other people’s opinions.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading The Testaments, and have started reading Timeless on the Silk Road. This year, I’ll be starting an indie reading challenge – my goal is to read 20 independently published books in 2020 which all feature numbers in the title!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Since Number Eight Crispy Chicken is an in-depth study of a single character, I’m looking forward to trying something new, in the form of two main protagonists in my second book.
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?
Such a difficult question! I think I’d have to have something by PG Wodehouse, since his books are always my go-to literature when I’m feeling down, and if I were stranded on a desert island, I might need that! A Confederacy of Dunces and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists are two books I don’t think I could ever read too many times. And for that bonus fourth book – well, I just might take Number Eight Crispy Chicken with me, and see what I can learn from Peter’s experience of being stranded!
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