Why did you choose to publish independently?

When I finished my first Historical Mystery book, The Red Hill, set in the rump years of Moorish rule in Granada, I was unsure which route to take. Indie publishing had been around for a few years and was on my radar, but when I wrote in the 1970s I had an agent and was published by Robert Hale. And then, at my first Harrogate Crime Festival, I had my name picked first from the hat at The Dragon’s Pen and was asked by one of the agents to send them the first three chapters. Unfortunately, though they liked the writing, they had no space for a new author. So I decided to pursue the Indie route and, to be honest, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I tell anyone who might ask that I’m too impatient to wait a year or more to see my book in print, and too arrogant to think I can’t do everything myself. So far, it’s worked out…

If you were offered a trad book deal, wouldn’t you jump at the chance?

I have been approached by a few trad publishers who wanted to take on my books, but after some discussion I realised I wanted to continue working the way I was. The approaches were flattering, but in the end I decided I was now too old and ‘ornery for flattery to work anymore.

Are you a full-time writer or do you still work at other jobs?

Well, first, I’m getting old, so I’m now a pensioner. But when I worked (several jobs, all totally accidental) I still wrote. Even before stopping work, I was earning a living wage from my writing, and as more books have appeared that has only gone up. Which means I’m in the fortunate position of being able to sit at a desk and do what I love best, which is write.

You originally wrote science-fiction, why Historical Mystery now?

When I was young – and I mean, really young – from the age of 9 or 10 I always wanted to write. As I moved into my teens I wrote short stories, all science-fiction, because that, in the main, was what I read. I had a few published in small fanzines until in the 70s, Galaxy magazine took one of my short stories, The Durable Man. And then, after ten years of publication, I stopped writing.

When I returned in my 60s I no longer read much science-fiction, but I did read a lot of crime and mystery books. But weirdly, only a little historical fiction other than the fabulous Shardlake books. And then, one evening, a sudden lightning bolt hit me and I said, “Has anyone ever written a murder mystery set in the final years of Moorish Spain?” I think my wife and kids thought I’d finally lost the plot, but in fact I’d just found the plot that would last into 15 books and counting. I still play around with some science-fiction ideas, and have written the first book in a WWII paranormal spy thriller that crosses over into that area, but most of my work now is in mystery.

What is your writing schedule?

I sometimes write 7 days a week, other times real life has a tendency to get in the way – particularly now we have a three-year-old grandson we have every Monday. But I try to write at least four or five days a week, but not flat-out. Usually I write in a two to three hour burst when I can turn out at least 2,000 words. My record for a single day stands, so far, at 10,700.

I’m a “flow” writer. Which means I sit down, put headphones on, and listen to a curated playlist which consists of an eclectic mix of rock tracks which all have something in common. They are slightly ragged, slightly repetitive. The feedback tracks of Neil Young. Pretty much any Stone Roses, but also Mike Oldfield, Kate Bush, and others. The purpose of the music is to turn off my critical mind. I’m not aware of thinking, only of being the conduit for the words that flow from … somewhere … onto the screen.

I’m a bit of an organisational nut so have spreadsheets which show my next five books and when they will come out. Over the years I’ve discovered I generally take 30 days to plot a new book and 90 days to write it. Then I edit and send it off to my editor. While it’s with her I start plotting the next book.

Are you a book a year person, or something else?

Generally I’ve been a two book a year writer, but as I get older, I’ve actually sped up. At the moment I’m trying to produce one Thomas Berrington book a year (at least) and then two books from my other series. I can only do this because I plot in advance and then write the words.

Plotter or Panster?

I think I’ve probably already covered this, but originally I was a pantser (though without any idea what that meant, or that I was). All of my original stories and books were stream of consciousness. Looking back, I’m amazed they were published.

When I began to write again I thought I might re-publish those early science-fiction books. I contacted Robert Hale and they were generous enough to release them to me.

I had to source and purchase a couple of titles because, over the years, I lent my original author copies to friends and never got them back. However, when I did and read them I thought … oh … where’s the plot? With the hindsight of great distance I saw that the writing itself was okay, but there was absolutely no plot or structure to them. They started, things happened, they ended.

I considered re-writing them but never have. They gave me a start on this career I love, so let them rest in peace.

What this did make me realise is I needed to find out about this mysterious thing called “story”. So I read, and read, and read until I worked it out. Then I applied it. I may have gone too far and at one time produced a 48K outline for a 120K book. I’ve softened my approach a little since then, but I will plot every book and every scene out in advance.

Who are your current favourite authors?

These, of course, are constantly changing as new writers come along and old ones produce less. In no particular order these include:

CJ Sansom – sadly missed.
His Shardlake series is a thing of great beauty and skill. It is a bar I constant strive to attain and constantly fail miserably to even approach.
Favourite Title: Dark Fire.

Stephen King
I’ve read King since Carrie (which was published a few months after my own first book, but hey, the guy’s done pretty well for himself.) I like the way he writes, whether it’s horror, mystery or something else. For me, King is one of the greatest writers or character and place. He can put down three lines and after reading them you know who the person is and what their hopes and fears are.
Favourite Title: Joyland. Choosing this was a tough one, but for me it’s a title few people are aware of, which encapsulates everything King is great at in a few pages.

Robert Crais
Crais writes perfect plots and characters. I discovered him as a by-product of reading the next author shown. At one time Craie was less well-known generally in the UK but his profile has risen her over the last few years.
Favourite Title:The Monkey’s Raincoat. I could easily have chosen any title from this series, but this is the first and dragged me into the world of Cole and Pike.

Harlan Coben
Coben writes in an annoyingly varied set of genres and series which makes me jealous of both his skill and his output. Apart from which he’s a really nice guy. I first fell in love with the Myron Bollitar series, then followed him into his other books.
Favourite Title: Deal Breaker, again only because it’s the first in series.

These are just my top picks, but I read constantly and could list a hundred authors I love and admire.