Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before I was a full time author, I was a Chartered Accountant, CFO, and Project Director. I’m multi lingual and have travelled and worked all over the world. At the moment I live in Bangkok,Thailand. In the course of my career I’ve experienced tropical hurricanes, been to secret military bases, and been chased by gun and machete toting mobs. I’m also a photographer and a CGI artist.
Under two different pen names I’ve written over thirty novels, both Science Fiction and SM Erotica, with stories involving futuristic androids, vampires and werewolves spawned by advanced science, contemporary adventure, Victorian adventure, all the way to Ancient Rome and China.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Port Royal”, a SM erotic pirate novel based in “the most sinful city in the world”, Port Royal. It features sea battles, duels on land, political and economic intrigue, and of course SM sex.
The novel was inspired by the discovery that up to the 17th century, the majority of the slaves in the Caribbean and the American colonies, were Irish and English men and women, many political dissidents and street criminals. Although in theory they were “indentured servants” working out fixed term contracts, these often became much longer through the manipulation of their owners, or they were worked to death before the expiry of their contracts in order to avoid paying them a contractual sum upon release.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing that unusual. I do a lot of research for every book, everything from underwear to house design and weapons technology. I write using LibreOffice on my PC, and I write from start to end without jumping around.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Being a great Science Fiction and Sword and Sorcery (not High Fantasy other then Tolkien), I was inspired by authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Andre Norton, E.E. Doc Smith, Robert E. Howard, Keith Laumer, and more recently by the likes of David Drake, David Weber, James White, Christopher Stasheff, and Bernard Cornwell.
What are you working on now?
My current WIP is another SM erotica novel entitled “Phantom Pain”. It is a supernatural/horror tale, a twist on the old haunted house concept. Everybody involved has their own agenda, including the ghosts.
After that I plan to work on the third of the Vampire-Tech series featuring vampires and werewolves spawned by advanced science rather than the paranormal or curses.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found the personal touch to work the best for me. I join appropriate groups in GoodReads and other forums, make friends, sometimes I even write free short stories and poems just to let the others have a taste of my work. When individuals express and interest I offer free books, without obligation of review. Most of the time I get a good review anyway, and the work of mouth promotion does a lot to promote my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’ve said this elsewhere, but make sure you have stories in you to tell before you decide to become an author, not the other way around. Too many people want to “give writing a try” but have no stories in them that they are passionate about. When I say stories, I mean a complete idea for a story, not just a love story, or a tale of redemption, or a space opera with light sabres.
There are few things more disheartening than to sit in front of your keyboard and have nothing to say. An author is a story teller, not just someone who knows all the rules and techniques of writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is a quote from the Marquis de Sade (yes that one).
“My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!”
– Marquis de Sade
What are you reading now?
“The Siege” by Nick Brown, a tale of Ancient Rome.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just to keep writing. There is nothing more important. To set free all the worlds and characters that still wait inside of me and to give them life.
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?
Dune by Frank Herbert, The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, The Stories of Sherlock Holmes, and Choosing Lovers For Justine by Aran Ashe.
Author Websites and Profiles
V.W. Singer Website
V.W. Singer Amazon Profile
V.W. Singer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile