My guest today is Adrian P Fayter. Adrian is a crime fiction writer, who has recently released his first book Death Benefit. Ben: So firstly Adrian, congratulations on the publication of Death Benefit. I can honestly say it is the best self-published book I have read for some time. I'd call the book a crime thriller but it is a very different take from the standard cop drama. Can you tell us a bit about it? Adrian: Thanks, Ben, for your kind comments. I've been getting positive feedback from a wide variety of readers, and that’s a very encouraging thing for a writer. Death Benefit does follow certain crime writing conventions, but the protagonist/narrator, Larry Di Palma, works as a benefit fraud investigator. This allows me to create realistic investigation scenarios, but also means that Larry can stumble into danger in a believable way, because he doesn't have the same training or back-up team as a police detective. The book can be classed as a thriller, but it has a little less action than others in that genre. The atmosphere, characterisation and the cynical sense of humour of its narrator are all just as important to me. And there’s nothing less convincing than corpse after corpse appearing on the page... Ben: So what made you want to write this style/genre. Are there any big influences that drew you in? Adrian: I’ve been writing for a very long time, and, as many of us do, I’ve experimented with poetry and short stories, and written an early, semi-autobiographical novel. Crime fiction is, broadly speaking, the biggest selling genre in the UK, so it made sense to consider moving in that direction with a view to getting published. But crucially, the result is a book written very much in my own voice, and saying things that I want to say. Readers may spot the influence of the earliest of Len Deighton’s spy novels in different aspects of the book; not least in the free gifts that come with purchases made directly from me or my website. Ben: Haha, yes indeed. So what is it about Len Deighton's novels that you like and is there any particular essence of them you've tried to capture in your own style? Adrian: His early books brilliantly describe the bureaucracy and office politics of espionage. They are also very funny and economical with their descriptions. I love the start of Billion Dollar Brain: ‘It was the morning of my hundredth birthday,’ is the perfect way to introduce the narrator’s hangover and the way he has let down his girlfriend the night before. The drab form-filling and the seedy locations such as the multi-storey car park in Death Benefit are there to create a sense of realism; locations and setting are important in the way a writer creates a mood or atmosphere. Ben: I was really impressed with the dialogue in your book and the characters as a whole. Larry Di Palma is a great character. It had me laughing out loud in a few places. Did you do any research or use any techniques to get these characters voices to come through so clear? Adrian: I remember in one of our MA classes we were talking about our characters, and I said that Larry had been with me for so many years that I couldn’t remember how he started out; however, he is basically me. And I think it’s true that a lot of his cynicism, and the conflict he feels between laziness and professionalism are present in my own character. Other readers have asked me about research I did in order to create a realistic setting and story. Well, years ago I worked in various roles in three different Jobcentres, and although I have altered some of the jargon and procedures, I think the result overall reflects nicely the bureaucratic world of benefit claims and benefit fraud. I’m pleased with the authenticity of the setting and characters, because any novel depends upon them, no matter whether literary or genre fiction. Ben: Tell us a bit more about your MA and experience. Would you suggest this route for other budding writers? Adrian: The feedback from fellow students and tutors can be invaluable, but it has to come at the right time for each individual writer. I think I benefited immensely from doing the MA course at York St John University because I was able to fine-tune a completed novel as well as present some new experimental work. The key is to start a degree or MA course when you are going to benefit the most from a lot of constructive criticism. That could be as a mature, experienced writer or as a complete beginner: it depends on the individual. Ben: You self-published your book with Matador. Can you tell us a little about that? Adrian: I had strong interest from three different literary agents, but ultimately none of them was successful in taking the book into a publishing deal. However, I have since become a bit of a convert to the idea of self-publishing, which offers many potential advantages to any writer. Ben: Wow, that's great. So what are these advantages that made you go with self-publishing and do you have any top tips for people considering self-publishing? Adrian: My top tips for self-publishing can be seen on my website, but the most important one is probably this: ‘Don’t be in too much of a hurry, don’t set unrealistic deadlines, and always consider quality of product over speed of publication.’ The processes of publishing, marketing and selling inevitably take up as much time as writing itself. For example, despite the fact that my completed manuscript had been reviewed by different literary agents and by my university tutor, I still ended up doing four further proof reads before I was happy to go to press. I really hope readers haven’t spotted any more typos in the final product! As to advantages, well, if I sell a book directly from my website, book launch or other event, I keep 100% of the cover price. If a publisher sells via a bookshop, I get about 30%. Ben: So the book you've released mentions a sequel - can you tell us anymore about the next Larry Di Palma adventure? Adrian: The next novel, Live-in Killer, is currently in preparation – a taster is given at the end of Death Benefit in both its printed and e-book forms. Readers can also find a short story (with the promise of more to come) at the Rowntree Park Words from a Bench project. Ben: Thanks so much for your time Adrian and all the best with the next novel. Adrian: Thanks, Ben, and happy writing to you, too! You can find more writing and information about Adrian at:
Website: http://crimebooks.wordpress.com (Buy paperback copies here, and learn about crime writing, self-publishing and more) Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Benefit-Adrian-P-Fayter/ (Buy paperback, download for Kindle and read reviews here)
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The most recent news is that there was a new submission task set in late December, which asked for writing with the theme of 'the dead of winter'. This week all those pieces have gone live in the park and I am really happy to say that I have been included again. My piece, Footsteps In The Snow, is available to read online as well as in the park. If you can get to the park please go and hunt for it (its half the fun) but if not you can find all the writing from many talented artists at the Rowntrees Park Wordpress site.
Again huge thanks to Cath and Karen and I hope you'll go check it out. When I started this site I said that I would be shouting about new writers and letting you know what is out there that I feel you need to read. I've been doing a bit of this with interviews with authors and letting you know what I hear about, but this is the first new book I've read in a while that I really feel I need to tell you to read. Death Benefit, is Adrain P Fayter's first book and it's a great fresh take on the crime fiction novel. The protagonist, Larry Di Palmer, is a investigator for the benefit office who finds himself out of his depth. It's a well paced, gripping story that I think you should check out. If you regularly read crime fiction you'll love this. It'll have a little less gore and action than you'll be used to, but that is made up by a great story, interesting characters and brilliant dialogue. Take a look at Death Benefit today As I wake up this morning I seem to be accompanied by a green eyed monster waking with me. I spent yesterday lunch with York based writer, Gillian Firth. Gillian wouldn't describe herself as having a enviable life, I'm sure. You see in 1994 Gillian got 'squashed' (as she puts it). Having been involved in a car accident, Gillian spent 6 weeks in a coma and when she woke up Gillian Mk2 was born. Gillian suffered a traumatic brain injury and despite having to relearn everything from walking to going to the bathroom, she is now the author of two self-published books about her life and has been approached about having her first book Gillian Mk2 adapted into a film. Wow or what!? I have just finished reading Gillian's first book, Gillian Mk2, which covers the first four years after her coma. Leaving behind the fact that this is an amazing accomplishment for someone with a brain injury, the book is told in an amazingly strong voice with a probing honesty and sharp humor. I seriously cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you are yet to discover Gillian, please go grab a copy and give it a read. (Picture to the left will take you to the amazon site). Gillian's second book is called Typically Gillian and continues the journey. I will be putting a coffee on and picking up my copy as soon as I have finished this blog! I really hope that this potential adaptation comes to fruition, because this is a serious film in the making. I hope you'll join me in wishing Gillian the best of luck and in picking up a copy of her book. My guest today is author Nick David, N.E.David as he is known. Nick is a York based writer, local to me and joins me to talk about his work as part of York's community of authors, his new book BIRDS OF THE NILE and his upcoming work. Ben: So firstly Nick, congratulations on the publication of 'BIRDS OF THE NILE'. It's a very interesting read. Before we get stuck into the details, let's get a bit of background. When we've spoken in the past Nick, you've told me that you started writing sometime ago, but stopped and now you're on a pretty determined return to the art. What is it that draws you to writing? Nick: Writing is important to me in that it gives me purpose, it helps me make sense of my life but most of all, it’s the stories and the characters. I have a whole host of them inside my head and they won’t go away until I’ve got them out and onto the paper. Now I’ve come back to it I’m driven, Ben, and there’s no getting away from it. Ben: Nick, you're an author based in York and from visiting your website (http://www.nedavid.com/) it's obvious that you do a lot of work with authors in the area. Can you tell us a bit about your involvement? Nick: Yes, I’ve been a member of York Writers Group for quite a while and more recently I became involved with York Authors. They were set up early in 2013 to promote the work of professional authors based in the city. I also appear regularly at Literature Festivals and open mics in the region so I meet quite a few fellow writers. Ben: Am I right in thinking that you also have a part in York Literary Festival, which has just released its programme for this year? Nick: Yes, thank you for reminding me! For my sins, I’m a member of the committee and we’re coming up to a very busy time with the programme just launched on 6 January. Last year we were lucky to get some big names, including the Poet Laureate. This year will be just as good, if not better, so keep an eye out for what’s on. The Festival runs from March 20th through to March 31st and the events are bound to be popular so it’s best to book well in advance. You can get the details from the website, www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk. Ben: So, your new book 'BIRDS OF THE NILE' is set in Egypt and involves the 2011 revolution, though it's more complex than a simple action or thriller. Can you tell us what drew you to setting a story in Egypt at this time? Nick: The background to this is that my wife and I went to Egypt to celebrate an important wedding anniversary in 2009. Being a writer, I naturally took a notebook and a pen and kept a diary. At some point a plot occurred to me and when we got back I started to write it up. But it didn’t gel and l put the half-finished manuscript away in a drawer. When the revolution came along, it reignited my interest and I realised that the power of those dramatic events could significantly enhance the story so I rewrote it with that in mind. Ben: That is interesting. So what pulled you away from making it a more conventional type action plot? Nick: It never started off that way and so it never became one. The focus was always on the relationship between the three main characters – the fact that it takes place during a revolution merely causes their actions and decision-making to appear more important. Ben: Interestingly, the story is set predominately on a cruise ship, and you work with a fairly large cast of characters to create that feel. Did you find that challenging? Nick: No, not at all. Apart from the three main protagonists, the other characters all serve an important purpose. Mrs Biltmore plays a key role in affairs, for instance, and it’s interesting that Blake begins by disliking her. I often think of the other (British) passengers as a kind of Greek chorus – they represent that section of opinion which is indifferent to the plight of the Egyptian people and concerned only with their own safety. This sets them apart from Blake and allows him to stand out when it comes to the crucial part of the story. Ben: The lead character is Michael Blake. What gave you the inspiration for this character and could you sum him up for those who are yet to read the story? Nick: I always had it in mind that the main character would be a retired bird-watcher who subsequently went blind. The idea that your greatest pleasure in life can be denied you by some random event fascinated me but it was the revolution that persuaded me to make him an ex-diplomat. It was then that his character fully formed in my head and gave me the impetus to pick the piece up again. As to summing him up, that’s difficult. If I could tell you about Michael Blake in a few short sentences, I wouldn’t need to have written the book in the first place! Because that’s what the book is really about - explaining Michael Blake - and he’s complicated. The point is that he’s just a fairly ordinary person who becomes caught up in events that cause him to do something exceptional. Ben: Very true. You also have a back catalogue of novellas, though BIRDS OF THE NILE is your first novel. Can you tell us a bit about your other work? Nick: Of course. I have three short novellas in print, none of them related except by way of length. They grew out of the fact that I began to find short story telling restrictive and I couldn’t express what I wanted to say in less than 20000 words. The stories didn’t need any more than that either, so they finished up as novellas. They’re each written quite differently too, and reflect the fact that I was subconsciously experimenting with alternative styles. I also have other, as yet unpublished, novels hidden away and when the time is right, my intention is to fetch them out and bring them up to speed. Ben: Are you working on anything at the moment? Nick: Yes, I spent the summer producing the first draft of a new novel set beside a lake in Sweden but I’ve had to set that aside for the time being as my typist broke her arm! In the meanwhile I’ve gone back to an earlier work and I’ve set myself the task of rewriting it with a view to bringing it out in 2015. The main protagonist is called Frank and in the same way that BIRDS OF THE NILE is about explaining Michael Blake, AS DAD LAY DYING is all about explaining Frank Johnson. AS DAD LAY DYING is a working title, by the way. I’m not sure I’m awfully fond of it but for the moment I can’t think of a better one. When it comes to the point of publication I’ll have to put my thinking cap on - but the rewrite and the story have to come first. Ben: Thanks so much Nick and all the best with your 2015 deadline, we'll look forward to it. Nick: Thank you for inviting me, it’s been a pleasure. You can find BIRDS OF THE NILE at:
http://amzn.to/1dtTis (UK) http://amzn.to/1iCoudy (US) Or through Nick’s website at http://www.nedavid.com You can also follow Nick on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NEDavidAuthor Or join him for 'Writing Life' at http://www.nedavid.com/writing-life Hi folks,
So I thought I'd post one last blog before Christmas to recant another year past *looks wistfully out of the window*. It's been a really exciting year for me, I've shifted over 5000 copies of my debut novel Life Without; I've been published in two anthologies (Beyond the Walls and Christmas Lites 3); I've been published in Rownetree park's writing project, Writing from a Bench and I'm a good way through book number two. So it looks like the Christmas season could be a prime time for editing. Let's hope that 2014 is as proactive and all the best to you for the new year. Merry Christmas .... And as my good friend, Karen points out in her comment below I also got a Masters in Creative Writing from York St John University. How could I forget that one. Oops!?! :p So folks its here. A fantastic collection of short stories with a Christmas theme and, best of all, the money raised goes to this excellent charity against domestic violence: http://www.ncadv.org/ So go find a e-copy or paperback on Amazon now. Its'll be your good deed for Christmas. Get yourself on Santa's 'nice list' now :] Check it folks - this will be published next week. I'll post a link asap: The Christmas season is upon us yet again. Yes, my friends, it is a time of giving, loving, and sharing. Within these pages is a way you can help many people desperately in need of love, support, and goodness: the victims of domestic crime. By purchasing this anthology, you are sending every last dime made off this book to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The NCADV is an amazing charity that saves these people and lets them know there is still hope, still goodness, and still a reason to carry on. Twenty-one authors have joined in this year, giving their time and their stories to these people – and to you. We all hope you enjoy our holiday tales captured in bite-size pieces. Whether you read this on the bus, before bed, or snuggled by the fire, please, do read – and share. Authors in this anthology: Addison Moore, A.F. Stewart, Amy Eye, Angela Yuriko Smith, Ben Warden, Cassie McCown, Elizabeth Evans, J.A. Clement, JG Faherty, Jonathan Tidball, M.L. Sherwood, Monica La Porta, Ottilie Weber, Patrick Freivald, Phil Cantrill, Robert Gray, Ron C. Neito, S. Patrick Pothier, Tricia Kristufek, Vered Ehsani, *Brandon Eye bonus story Editor/compiler: Amy Eye of The Eyes for Editing Cover Design Kyra Smith All money goes to: www.ncadv.org
Hi folks. So I've been a little quiet for a while. Lucky you, that's about to come to an end. I've been working on my MA in Creative Writing and have just received my final qualification, I graduate on the 15th of November. To find out more about the brilliant programme I was on, you can take a look at this interview with me on the York Saint John University writing wordpress site.
It's kept me very busy, but now I'm motoring on. In the next few months you can expect to see, blogs, an interview with the very talented writer N.E David and information about the anthology I'll be being published in at Christmas. (I know, I know, don't mention Christmas just yet). Anyway, keep an eye on the page and you'll be hearing more soon. |
AuthorBen Warden - Editor of the #SFFiction project and author of 'Life Without', which made the top ten literary fiction e-books on amazon. Categories
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