I would like to welcome Mr. Garry Abbott to my blog today and thank him for sharing his insite into being an author with us. He is the author of The Dimension Scales and Other Stories now available on Amazon!

1. What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Garry Abbott, and my home is in Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, UK.

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

‘The Dimension Scales and Other Stories.’  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JW1KMUG)

Short stories based around themes of malevolent, secret authorities, metamorphosis, survival and projections of contemporary fears into near-future realities.

3. Is the above book part of a series?

No. It is a self-contained collection, though there is always the chance that one of the most popular stories may be extended into a longer work.

4. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

Reading made me start writing! Especially Tolkien, although I moved away from trying to write Fantasy as I got older and discovered Science Fiction authors, especially North American authors like Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick. I also love Roald Dahl’s adult short stories, and they inspired me to try to get the most out of the short format. I’ve been writing since I was 9 or 10 – I won an award for writing at primary school, so I think I must have been inspired by that in part!

5. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

My cover was designed by a friend and fantastic illustrator/creative Nicola Winstanley. She worked through a few ideas based on the themes of the book and together we settled on the best ones (though I wasn’t much help because I liked them all!).

6. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

No. I can’t listen to music and work unfortunately. I’m also a musician so it puts me in the wrong head-space to concentrate.

7. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

The title is based on the title story that binds all the others together (The Dimension Scales). It just seemed to make sense when I considered the collection as a whole.

8. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

Different formats for different situations! I don’t see why they can’t all live side by side happily, and I think that’s how it will turn out when the dust has settled.

9. Are you a self-published/Indie author?

I am self-published, but I am part of the Trident Media Group’s ‘ebook programme’ which means the book is represented by an agent and they have helped with formatting, sales and marketing to a degree. It’s been good to have a team on board, even though I’ve never met them face to face because they are based in New York!

      10.  If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I was happy to try all routes, but with self-publishing as a backup. However, when Trident offered to put me on the programme, I decided that would be a good place to start. I hope in the future to have the option of the different outlets available for different titles.

       11.  Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I’ve read Lord of the Rings about a dozen times! But other than that, and The Hobbit, no, not as I can remember. I’ve probably read a few Dahl short stories more than once.

       12. What is your opinion of novellas?

As long as it suits the length of the story, what’s the problem? A story should be as long as it needs to be, and if that means it comes in as a novella, I would prefer a shorter volume than a padded out, dawdling novel.

      13. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

No! I don’t access books that way. I go off recommendation.

     14. What is your favorite film based on a book?

That’s a hard one! There are so many. Maybe Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, just because it is so audacious that it needed someone like Terry Gilliam to make it!

     15. What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Speculative fiction.

     16. What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

Agatha Christie! I want to read some light crime fiction because I’ve just finished studying philosophy for a degree, and I’m told they are quick fun reads. Not my usual genre choice, but just want a break from heavy texts for a while!

     17. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’ve been very slowly reading ‘Roald Dahl’s Ghost Stories’ in paperback. The stories aren’t by Dahl himself, they are a collection he compiled of the best in the genre. But because of studying, it’s taking me a while.

     18. What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Show don’t tell.

     19. Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I’m also a musician, both professionally as a composer and as a hobby. I sing and play guitar in an original band. I also keep an allotment and have a bit of an obsession with board games!

     20. Where can your readers follow you?

• Blog: http://www.GarryAbbott.com
• Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/GarryAbbottAuthor
• Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8187012.Garry_Abbott
• Twitter: @Garry_Abbott
• LinkedIn: http://lnkd.in/dtUxRk8
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garry-Abbott/e/B00FOY38ME/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
• Other: http://www.pinterest.com/garryabbott/

 

Thank you so much Garry for letting us have a small peek into your writing world. If anyone has questions for Garry, please post them below and he will answer them as quickly as possible.