Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I insist on inflicting all aspects of life on myself so that my readers can enjoy learning about my latest trip/experience/disaster/emotional breakdown (insert phrase of your choice).
During my extended adolescence, now over forty years long, I’ve lived on two boats and sunk one of them; sold houses, street signs, Indian food and paper bags for a living; visited almost fifty countries and lived in three; qualified as a scuba diving instructor; nearly killed myself learning to wakeboard; trained as a search and rescue skipper with the Coast Guard, and built my own house without the benefit of an instruction manual.
I’m as amazed as anyone that the house is still standing, and I now live in it by the sea with my wife and twin daughters, where I spend my time regurgitating my experiences on paper before I have so many more that I forget them.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Coconut Wireless”, a fun travel memoir about the South Pacific Island of Tonga, and my quest to find the Queen.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write fun memoir. Often I am reminded of a past event, and I suddenly pull out anything I can write on to record my memory, before it disappears.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bill Bryson was probably my biggest influence, but more recently, Tony James Slater, although his writing is more slapstick than mine.
What are you working on now?
The Coconut Wireless is the first book in a series called “South Pacific Shenanigans”. I’m currently working on the next in the series, which is about a stupid city boy making lots of mistakes farming in rural New Zealand.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The Awesome Gang, of course!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Realise that writing the first draft is about 5% of your effort. Edit, edit, edit again and again. Then send it to an editor. Then beta readers. And I bet you still find some mistakes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. Most writers took about three related books to gain traction.
What are you reading now?
I’m beta reading a series of short stories about life in Southern Portugal.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Marketing! Promoting! Writing another book! Rinse and repeat….
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?
Well, if you buy The Coconut Wireless, you’ll find out that I have been stranded on a real desert island, and all I had with me was a travel guide. I think I’d take with me a Bill Bryson, a John Grisham and a Frederick Forsyth. And The Bible. I might need it!
Author Websites and Profiles
Simon Michael Prior Website
Simon Michael Prior Amazon Profile
Simon Michael Prior’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile