Interview With Author Tony Bassett
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a retried journalist who worked on regional and national newspapers in Britain for more than forty years. For the past nine years, I have been turning my hand to crime fiction. Altogether nine of my novels have been published so far and I have a further three awaiting publication. Two novels of the published books are set in Kent, one in London and a series of six (so far) are set in the West Midlands.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book (published in September 2024) is called IT NEVER RAINS. I was inspired to write it after a spate of such robberies taking place at footballers’ homes in the UK. The one that is probably best remembered is the raid on Arsenal player Raheem Sterling’s Surrey home while he was part of the England team involved in the Qatar World Cup in 2023. He had to fly back during the tournament to be with his family. As with most of these offences, high-value jewellery and watches were the lure.
My imagination didn’t need to be stretched too far to visualise that one of these gangs could one day carry out a murder or take a family member hostage – both of which happen in IT NEVER RAINS.
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Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not very happy about being interrupted while I’m writing!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite book is The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan. I think I have probably been influenced a little by the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. More recently, I have enjoyed reading novels by Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Peter James, Colin Dexter, Gillian Flynn and C.W. Craven.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on the ninth book in my West Midlands series which concerns a spate of deaths among staff and former staff at a clothing factory.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I leave the main book promotion to my publishers, The Book Folks. I would highly recommend the website Book Bongo, which specializes in providing ebook promotional services to authors, publishers, and anyone who wants to promote their books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Nil desperandum
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hitch your wagon to a star
What are you reading now?
A Force To Be Reckoned With by Linda Hagan
What’s next for you as a writer?
Book Ten. I have a few ideas for it, although no plot as yet. I want to write about a murder at Christmas and I might include a wedding. But my thoughts are in a state of flux about Book Ten at the moment.
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?
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (there might be some handy tips); Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Complete Works; Agatha Christie Complete Collection; and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (you never know how long you are going to be when you’re stranded on a desert island)
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