“We are going to win this war because while they’re messing around with fake influencers, we’ve got the real thing.”

Monica With A ‘K’ Saves The World – E.D. Robson

So far, I’ve read two out of five books by Denis, and I have to say that both, even though completely different, were enjoyed very much whilst stuck inside for the UK lockdown! The first book I read was a recent memoir by Denis, Tales Of An Accidental Life, and the second was his latest novel, Monica With A ‘K’ Saves The World. (Follow these links to read my full reviews!)

With these two books read and another three to go, I thought now was the perfect time to get to know Denis a little more, including his reasons for writing, what he enjoys writing the most, as well as what we can expect from him next on his author journey.

1. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’m yet another of those who always had a life-long dream to write. Having reached my mid-sixties with a certain amount of financial independence, the freedom and opportunity offered by self-publishing in the electronic age and my imminent divorce have all come together to persuade me to do what I enjoy rather than what I have to do, so I’m giving the dream a go. It suits my tendency to day-dream, plus my habit of working in sudden fits and starts (and my objection to being told what to do).

2. In your fiction works, which was your favourite character to write about and why?

One of the main characters in my first book. The opening lines of my first story ‘The Drunken Weed’ about John (the Irrelevant One) driving home in pouring rain actually came to me while I was driving home from work in almost identical circumstances many years ago and I’ve tended to view myself as somewhat irrelevant in the great scheme of things (not a moan, more of an interested observer of life). Although not an exact match, I do tend to think ‘What would I do?’ when writing John.

3. Tell us about your books – what do you have published so far and where can we find them?

To date, I have published three short novels in ‘The Irrelevant One Saga’. I describe them as light-hearted fantasy novels about Gesh ‘The Drunken Weed’ with a bit of adventure, history and romance. She is an inept member of a superior race mistaken for early gods, tasked with killing her brother-in-law John. She fails miserably. The books go on to describe their relationships and adventures across time and space. I have also written the first in a new series ‘Monica With A ‘K’ Saves The World’ about the adventures of a shy librarian who gets involved with an alien invasion, plus a memoir about my life as a young man in the merchant navy, ‘Tales Of An Accidental Life’. All these are available through Amazon.

4. Who is your favourite author(s) of all time?

A very difficult question. As a child, C. S. Lewis and his Narnia Books, for the magic of his world creation, although I do have issues with them from an adult viewpoint. As a teenager, Tolkien (with similar reservations as for Lewis). Plus the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky (my mother had his books). Later on, probably Robert Heinlein and Michael Moorcock. Most recently, I have discovered Claire North. I have read two of her books so far and found them really imaginative. 

5. Which book is your biggest influence?

Again difficult, partly because over the years I have read anything, almost regardless of genre. The Lord of the Rings trilogy must be somewhere up there.

6. When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

I read anything, newspapers on a daily basis (I usually just get angry), books, flyers, social media sites, whatever there is. I also watch far too much T.V. I have done some psychology and sociology teaching in the last couple of years, plus supply cover in schools although I am undecided as to whether to carry on with this. I used to swim regularly though the recent virus situation has put a stop to that for now. I have also relatively recently discovered art and enjoy travelling to London to see the galleries and museums when circumstances allow.

7. What can we expect from you next? 

I am currently working on a number of projects, a second novel in my ‘Alien Librarian’ series following the adventures of Monika, and a second memoir, ‘Further Tales Of An Accidental Life’ about my life as a police officer, plus a sociological non-fiction about the forms of capital.

8. How long does it take you to think of an idea for a book and plan it from start to finish?

Because of my being a ‘fits and starts’ worker, I used to explain that I have to catch myself by surprise in order to complete anything so it all depends on my mood (and progress in my personal circumstances). Once I get the idea, I can just plough on and see where it leads me.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully as a successful writer in a variety of genres (although I’m not one of those who insists that people take my work seriously). Not necessarily a best seller. I would like to think that I can take readers with me on a journey, continuing to entertain both myself and them. I already have a number of ideas.

10.  What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new authors?

Don’t expect instant success. Research the process thoroughly, there’s loads of good advice out there. Don’t feel a lack of readers is a reflection on your writing, demands on time and leisure options are huge but if you want to be read, you have the responsibility to entertain and/or inform.

About the author.

Denis Scott writes light-hearted fantasy and Sci-Fi (under the name E. D. Robson) as well as a recent memoir about his time as a young man in the merchant navy (under his own name). He has ambitions to write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. As well as reading his hobbies over the years have included studying (part-time and distance learning), swimming, visiting the art galleries and museums of London and watching far too much T.V. He currently lives in the English East Midlands between the cities of Derby and Nottingham and can be contacted through his blog, Facebook or Twitter.

All Denis’ books listed in question 3 can be found on Amazon UK or US, available on Kindle and in paperback copies.

Would you like to be next under the spotlight?

If you’d like to take part in an author interview with me, do get in touch! You can see all the author interviews I’ve hosted so far here. Alternatively, I can also put your book(s) on my submission list to review. Check my book reviews page for more information!