Photo: Anthony, the master storyteller behind thirty-four published titles, brings life to diverse genres through unparalleled creativity and dedication.
Thirty-Four Titles Spanning Psychological, Historical, And Horror Genres
Anthony, a retired steelworker, shares insights on crafting suspenseful plots, intricate characters, and self-publishing success, drawing inspiration from history, personal experiences, and unexpected sources for his diverse novels.
Anthony is a former steelworker, residing in the northeast of England, UK. Widowed with two sons, Anthony is now engaged to Susan. Opting for retirement at an early age, he concentrated on writing novels and has thirty-four published titles to date. A former pupil of Bertram Ramsey secondary school, Anthony left with eight qualifications in various subjects. Anthony now self-publishes with KDP after his past publishers folded.
Your latest novel, The Exhibitionist, delves into dark psychological themes. What inspired this particular storyline?
My frequent trips to Whitby for Goth festivals triggered my interest in mythical beings, and my numerous visits to Knossos in Crete aided my research. As usual, I sought to write a book that would shock and enthral the reader. Lots of research on Cambodia was vital to the project, although it’s a country I’ve never visited.
In Portrait of Guilt, the protagonists are ex-policemen entangled in crime. How did your background influence these complex character arcs?
I adore Hitchcock films and strived to create a story with elements of his direction. I recall reading in a newspaper of some police officers being rebuked after their drunken misconduct on an overseas busman’s holiday. This episode generated an idea for the characters. The book, although serious with murderous incidents includes light-hearted occurrences.
Forever and Ever intertwines love and mortality. What challenges did you face blending romance with horror elements?
Reincarnation and immortality have always intrigued me; a few of my books featuring the subject. Again, Whitby and Scarborough, places dear to me are chosen for the locations. As with all of my books, I have a beginning and ending and concoct the remainder as I write, which often calls for changes to the plot. Merging romance with horror, I found to be not too challenging.
Your works often feature intricate plot twists. How do you approach crafting suspense to keep readers engaged?
To date, with thirty-four titles, creating unique plots is becoming increasingly difficult. My stories contain various twists, which I hope keeps the readers engrossed until the conclusion. Some have obscure endings, leaving the reader to ponder long after. The majority of my books were written and completed within three to four months. One exception is This Blood Red Sea, a biography of a departed friend and WWII hero.
My latest untitled creation so far has taken over one year to write and it is not yet close to completion. I love writing, and readers delighting in my books would be rewarding enough. Having exhausted so many plots and twists, I’m struggling, but will persevere.
Having republished all your titles with KDP in 2022 and 2023, how has self-publishing impacted your creative control and audience reach?
After my two publishers folded, I decided to self-publish. My books were initially self-published with American company, Lulu, but I tired of them after their troubling transformation. KDP Amazon, I find simplistic, allowing me to control every aspect of my book production, including cover design, pricing, and promotions. KDP’s platform allows me to check my sales at any given time.
The Orphans of Dachau addresses historical trauma. What research did you undertake to authentically portray the Holocaust’s aftermath?
For The Orphans of Dachau, I did extensive online research of the Holocaust. This tragic episode in history has always interested me. As I researched, I came across horrific images and stories of the Nazi atrocities. This research aided in my compiling of Devil’s Deceit; a fictional tale about Nazi hunters. I have plans to one day visit Auschwitz.
With a diverse portfolio, including psychological thrillers and horror, how do you decide which genre to explore next?
I have no set procedure when opting to write a psychological thriller, horror, or Holocaust novel. Most of my ideas come to me as I lie in bed.
What advice would you offer aspiring authors aiming to write compelling psychological thrillers?
My advice to aspiring authors would be to try and create something unique. Do not be afraid to experiment, and you will be surprised at how simplistic it is to self-publish once you’ve mastered the basics. The reward is seeing your book in print and reading excellent reviews. The journey is worthwhile, believe me.
