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What inspired you to start writing?
I want to give people a fresh lens to see those around them. Everyone has a story, every life matters — and if I can touch someone or give a little hope, I’ve done my job.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
The Birthmark Murders has been brewing for 40 years. I anchored it in my theatre director days — easier to draw water from a well I knew. It’s the first in a six-book arc following Pekka Wall from doubt to love, loss, and “rebirth.” I wanted an older gay protagonist with depth, and a contrast in the way younger gay men handle relationships.
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How do you create your characters?
I people-watch. One spark — a gesture, a glance — is enough to ignite my imagination. Then I dig deep. My characters are an archaeology of the soul.
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What does your typical writing day look like?
I start with an hour of Buddhist chanting — fuel for the day and my sanity. Words come in the evening: 7–10 pm, 1,000 minimum. Next day, I review, edit, move the plot forward.
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What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Freedom. Independence. The ability to steer my own ship.
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What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Finding readers instead of snake-oil promoters.
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Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
Scrivener for writing — a blessing. Numbers for tracking plot arcs. Aeon Timeline for keeping events straight. ChatGPT for proofreading only (never the creative bits). Vellum for beautiful book design. Pixelmator Pro for covers — cheaper and kinder than Adobe’s ransom-ware subscriptions.
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What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Be consistent. Believe in your story. And for heaven’s sake, avoid snake-oil sellers.
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How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
It’s the wild west out there — full of junk and fake operators. Facebook promoters (which I loathe) send me dozens of AI-generated pitches daily. I’m in it for the long game: six Pekka Wall books over the next few years. They’ll sell — the stories are worth it.
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What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
Yes. Handful – The Boy at the End of the Rainbow comes out 30 September 2025. The Triumvirate Murders – Death as a Business Expense follows by year’s end. And I’m already deep into book four, The Marae Murders.
