Interview With Author Simon Drayton
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Simon Drayton and I am a self published author who currently lives in Arkansas. I am a small business owner of a landscaping business and I enjoy photography. I have written a total of seven books available for purchase.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my most recent finsihed book is a novel entitled: “The Cardinal Crime”, which is the second novel in my series: “The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith”.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One writing habit that some may find unusual is that sometimes the inspiration for my writings come from my photography. For example, a photo that I took of the total solar eclipse of 2024 inspired me to write “Gone with the Sun.” Also, a picture of a female cardinal in the snow helped me come up with the idea for “The Cardinal Crime.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
One author that has had an influence on my writings is Charles Dickens. His book “David Copperfield” served as an inspiration for my book “From the Tropics of Britain”. Also, George Eliot’s Silas Marner and his adoptive daughter served as an inspiration for my protagonist’s relationship with his adoptive daughter, Jiang, in my book “From East to West Books 1-3.”
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a short story related to my series “The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith”. It is entitled: “Diamonds are simply not Forever” and it is going to be a locked door mystery featuring a diamond going missing under seemingly impossible circumstances.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, Freebooksy has been the promotion website that has got my writings the most exposure. I have also used the Fussy Librarian and Bookbub ads with some success though I would like to mention that it takes some learning, testing, and research to get success out of a Bookbub ad campaign. The customer service at the Fussy Librarian is exemplary and the staff there are very helpful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I have only been publishing my books for the past few months, so I am definitely not an expert. Nevertheless, I have learned that the more books you have available, the better chance you have of making a profit. So, if you are writing with the hopes of making a profit and not just for fun, keep writing and releasing new books. Consider writing a series versus writing a bunch of standalone books. If people read and like book 1 in your series, they may buy book 2, and book 3 without much more effort on your part.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on continuing to expand my backlist of books, especially in the series “The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith.” No promises, but I hope to release at least one story a month. I hope to learn from my experiences and reach more people.
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?
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