So, Richard, what do you write? Why this in particular?
My books are predominantly thrillers, but most have a scientific or technology element thrown in (such as a deadly virus that kills women the moment they give birth). I try to write the type of books I enjoy reading: an interesting premise, believable characters and some good twists.
What got you started on writing in the first place?
I have always been an avid reader and had been meaning to try my hand at writing, but life always seemed to get in the way. My first book, The Rage, took three years to write, and I finally self-published it in late 2015. Since then, I have released another five books, including the Decimation trilogy, at a rate of roughly one per year. My short stories have also been published in anthologies by Bloodhound Books (Dark Minds), Corona Books (The Corona Book of Science Fiction) and most recently, Bridge House Publishing (Resolutions).
When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact?
In my view, anybody who writes should call themselves a writer. After six novels and three published short stories, I most certainly classify myself as such.
How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing?
My wife is very supportive, but she is not a great reader. I think she is fed up of our discussions about the plots of books I am working on. Unfortunately, to date she has only completed my first two books.
What are you most proud of in your writing?
I am most proud when a reader enjoys my work. Last October, I received an email from a reader in Australia who had been suffering from a serious illness and picked up my Decimation trilogy. She thanked me for “an entertaining week of reading” and told me she had “thoroughly enjoyed every page”. That message made my day! I read all reader reviews (both good and not so good!), but I am also currently running an advertising campaign on Facebook and have had several complimentary messages about my writing in the comments section. Moments like those make all the hard work worthwhile.