I’m an ex army brat. After growing up in various locations within the UK and Germany, I moved to Sweden in 2014. I’m used to being different, not from being around here and thinking differently.
An avid horror fan, since childhood, I quickly moved from hiding behind the couch to secretly watch horror films from a young age, to stealing their adult library books to read. I’d read most of Stephen King and James Herbert’s output by the time I went to secondary school and often spent the night hours regaling my friends with my own version of their contents.
My stories all turned darker and gave others nightmares
I first started writing my own stories as a child and submitting them with a dream of having my own work appearing in my favourite fright mags. But had mostly forgotten that dream, until as a homeless adult and discovering the works of William Burroughs and Poppy Z Brite. While needing something to do when warming up in the library by day, I began my first short horror story.
Later, I made my own horror news and review website for fun. The Rumour Machine at one point became the second most popular site in the world, behind Fangoria, with only 10 writers contributing content. And our quotes would appear on film posters in the West End, to be quickly ripped off or replaced by very similar quotes by international websites and west end papers. Eventually I decided to make my own films instead.
Sick of solely promoting the work of others, I made my own
After showing my fiction to a friend who claimed to have discovered and promoted Clive Barker and Ramsey Campbell, and then being told by him that I didn’t have it in me to become a writer and should give up, I almost did… but that story was published on a website and came whisker close to being picked up by a very influential horror publisher.
I devoted myself solely to screenwriting and filmmaking, until Covid hit and made travelling to film festivals nigh on impossible. And after getting burnt out writing three feature scripts back to back and seeing two feature film productions almost happen and then get shelved again, I decided to resume working on my short horror fiction.
After joining various writing groups and workshops I realised I’d found my voice
Luckily, along the way I met some other writers who were more supportive and encouraging about my work. Not only did they help me critique and edit my work, but they also helped build my confidence until I resubmitted my work once again.
With each small success, of film scripts or films in competitions, or short fiction, flash fiction and poem acceptances in publications my confidence has increased.
Now I know that anything is possible. It takes grind, but I’ve put the work in. And will continue to do so, whatever the format. I just hope you’ll be there to enjoy each new piece.
Keep getting shit done
When I had my first acceptance for stories that would appear in Nocturnicorn Books anthologies I never dreamed that my name would feature on many of the covers of those books. After all, who am I? To have my work appear on the same cover as my literary heroes and far more well known writers, many of them award winning, was a complete surprise and a continual joy.
I only hope that I can continue to carve out a name for myself and keep on producing more literary nightmares.
Let the darkness find you
Thank you to all who have helped me along the way, including those who would read and provide constructive critique and encouragement, my mentors, peers and fellow writing group members.
And a special thank you to anyone who reads and helps spread the word about my work!