What sort of a child were you? Were you always into death and ghouls?
No not at all. I was a happy child until the day a zombie…..nah, things were cool. Although I will say that we did live near marshlands & people were always speaking of things on the marsh & the strange people there so maybe that seeping in! I’m not a writer who does excessive violence or hardcore horror. In fact, there are hardly any swear words in any of my books. I’m like a twisted version of Jon-Boy from the Waltons.
When did you start writing and what made you start?
I started a writing course in 2008 but it was rubbish so I quit. Someone told me to write about what I like so I wrote about zombies. I published my first book in 2009 with Severed Press & have gone on from there. I’ve always loved reading so I suppose I just wanted to give it a go. My advice to others would be to do the same – you just have to make a start then improve as you go….
You have been educated at the London school of Economics and have been working in Business for over ten years. Do you still work in business or are you now focusing entirely on writing and fighting zombies? If you still work in business, how do your colleagues respond to your zombie-related activities?
Yeah, I went to the LSE but was pretty much the thickest person there. I still work for a living like most writers. Zombies are my hobby. Even with all the books, it’s not a money thing. By the time we factor in all the shows, giveaways & charity stuff we do, we just about break even but I love it. Colleagues are mixed. Some think I’m weird for sure. I meet more hardcore fans (those with a plan) at events.
Zombies
What is it about zombies, as opposed to other undead persons like vampires, that interests you and how did this interest develop?
Mmmm…good question. I just loved the survival element to the stories. The idea of the living battling against hordes of the undead. Zombies always felt so real to me & so it just felt natural. I did warn you I was a bit weird. Zombies are like a blank canvas for writers – that’s what I like.
What is your favourite Zombie book/Film?
Film wise – I have to say Dawn of the Dead – either version. Book wise – I have to honour the work of our patron saint Max Brooks – his work has inspired me so much. In addition, I should mention 28 Days Later although the creatures are technically not zombies.
The Omega man project.
In May this year, you isolated yourself in an ex cold-war bunker for five days, and you blogged about this. What gave you the idea to do this? What, if any, has been the effect of this experience on you or on your writing?
It was just that the opportunity came along so I grabbed it. It wasn’t easy to set up but it was a challenge I’ve always wanted to to do. Being isolated for days on end just appealed to me. The experience was unique – that much is sure. I don’t know about the impact on my writing. I don’t think I’m a good enough writer for it to be really profound & I didn’t write much in the bunker, only the blog. However, I certainly learnt something about surviving alone. If you watch the video blogs you’ll see what I mean – www.ministryofzombies.com
The Ministry of Zombies
Tell us a little about the Ministry of Zombies. How did it come into being, how many people make up the ministry and what do they all do? Is the current government supportive of your ministerial activities? Why is there a link to Michael Bolton on the Ministry’s website?
The Ministry of Zombies is a lose network of myself, my wife Constance, a few reviewers & other writers – it’s not a big. Imagine a small office, with a dusty old phone & a pile of books in a bunker in London – that’s us. We don’t make a stack of cash or anything – whatever books get sold, much of the money goes into events (minus my slush fund in Taihiti).
The government in the UK is more worried about asteroids than zombies – it’s sad time. We used to be at the front end of anti-zombie work – now we’ve listed 22nd in the world. Not good news really. Plus we drink far too much tea.
I include Michael Bolton as he is a vocal master – his power ballads would see us all through a zombie outbreak. Hail to the master!
And the Ink Pantry’s Halloween Question: Do you have any advice for other authors on how to scare their readers?
Just my opinion but I find merging fact with fiction to be the best angle. Readers are hardened to most shock tactics. You have to undermine their reality slowly & with precision. My books are not really ‘scary’ but I hope they leave people wondering which parts are true & which not. I blend a lot of this in & I find it works well.