Sean is also known for traveling from one country to another, as well as his responsibilities with the Ministry of Zombies. However, I was able to lure him into the Lair for a chat about his ever-growing writing career...
You are something of a world traveler. Any particular place you call home?
I’m one of those people who grew in up in the
same small town as my parents. Growing up my world was pretty small. All my
family lived within a few miles of my house. But, I’ve lived in London for now
for years so London’s home. I’m a Londoner!
I think they have. I’ve certainly keep notes
whilst travelling. I think being exposed to different environments certainly
helps your writing. In a recent titled 1975, which was published by Infected
Books, what better way to understand being trapped in a bunker, than being
sealed in a bunker yourself. I’m not clever enough to write about stuff
completely alien to me.
Do you
remember when you first felt like a “real” author?
Honestly, it never came. I think serious horror
writers think my guides and manuals are all a bit child-like – fair point I
suppose – I do write for a wide range of readers. I don’t tend to get invited
to write for many anthologies and things like that.
I suppose the zombie stuff is where I started
and I still love it. However, I do enjoy alien and time travel tales to. I’ve
not really written science fiction as such but I enjoy reading it. I also tried
something more serious but by all accounts it wasn’t great!
What are
your most recent projects? I heard your working on another guide…
The rumours are true – I’m working a few bits –
I have to limit what I do as I’m working and studying. My next
project is around post-apoc transport…more to follow but it does involve
converting a big red London Bus into the ultimate zombie-busting form of
transport….
Is there
any one book that was more challenging to write than the others?
I have sketched out my time travel manual - it’s
not slated yet for release but the science was bewildering and took some real
focus to master. Although I didn’t manage to get my time machine fully working,
I did send a sandwich toaster back to 1945. I do wonder how that affected the
timeline?
Which
book was the easiest to write? Why is that?
Zombie, zombie, zombie stuff. We
loves it. We knows it. We read all the books. We all love the genre. I’ve got a
ready-created universe for stories.
Is there
anything you wouldn’t write?
I think I struggle with dialogue. To be fair,
I’ve never really been trained it. I like to use ‘He said’ then ‘She said’ then
‘He quipped’ then ‘she joked’. You get the idea. I think I’d struggle with a
serious book – some horror authors think apoc fiction should be gritty real. My
apoc fiction is like a cross between an episode of Sherlock Holmes and The
Avengers (1960s tv series). What better way to face the end of the world than
with a cup of tea, Mrs Peel by your side and a joined bowler hat.
What do
your friends and family think of your writing career?
My wife gets it but the rest are not sure. I
think they see it as a bit of a weird niche thing. The only time they really
mention it (this will be familiar to many writers) is when:
a) They spot your book in a
shop
b) They read about the new
Harry Potter film and suggest “making a movie” as a great way to make a bundle
of cash.
Do you
interact with your fans at conventions? What kind of people make up your fan
base? One kind or a mix?
I used to do a lot but family commitments make
it more difficult now. I realized loads of kids around 10/11/12 read my books
so I try to ensure everything is good for them. There are a real mix – young,
old, alien, human…..so certainly not one kind.
Good question. I’m a bad person to answer this.
I reckon I’ve sold 95% of my stuff here in the UK and Ireland. I’ve never
really cracked America. I’m a bit like Marmite I expect. I’ll probably always
be a bit of a niche player in the US.
My alien manual has recently been translated
into Chinese and I suspect I now sell more books in China than in the US.
If I’m honest, I don’t really know why. Maybe I should avoid using words like Marmite that no-one outside the UK understands…
If I’m honest, I don’t really know why. Maybe I should avoid using words like Marmite that no-one outside the UK understands…
Is there
anything else you want to share to entice new fans?
Only really that I write to provide a bit of
entertainment. I honestly don’t want readers to have nightmares. My books are
full of survival content that’s real – I don’t make the survival elements up –
I consult with real experts to help me get things right. Remember,
if you want a British-style apoc then I’m probably a good bet.
Thanks for stopping by!
Those of you who are interested, I strongly
recommend Sean T. Page for your reading pleasure…
As always,
AstraDaemon
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