David F Porteous is the author of two books – his first novel Singular, about virtual immortality, and his new novella The Death of Jack Nylund, first in the Gods and Monsters series. David is currently on a month-long virtual tour to promote the release of Jack Nylund.
1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
It’s very difficult to say. What prompted me to write my first novel, Singular, was being diagnosed with cancer and mortality is a big theme in that book. However I’ve been writing something on-and-off for as long as I can remember.
2. How long did it take you to write The Death of Jack Nylund?
The story has a lot of different origins – and I started writing the Gods and Monsters series before I started writing the first book in the series. I suppose it took around a year to go from beginning to the final edited version.
3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
The plot evolves as I write, adding depth and detail to what I’d originally intended, but I rarely go back and change an event. What’s more likely is that, as the plot reveals itself to me, I’ll go back and foreshadow those developments for the reader.
4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The sale section. I want to see what’s in 3-for-2 offers because that’s what people will be reading a lot of, it’s also what book shops think they can sell a lot of. One day I’m sure I’ll be able to have this information and not – somewhat perversely – write the opposite, but until then I’m happy to find the occasional classic I’ve never gotten around to reading.
5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
It’s highly variable. In September I read four, but I have a lot on in October – including the book launch – so I wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t read any.
6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
I think it might be Hannibal Lecter. Like a lot of people I saw the films first and went on to read the books; so my affection for the character might have more to do with Anthony Hopkins than Thomas Harris. Both Singular and Jack Nylund are full of brilliant monsters.
7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
Actually I wrote the biography on my website to do just that. It’ll present you with a handful of random facts about me every time you refresh the page
8. Your favorite Genre?
I’m trying to write it.
I enjoy the possibility presented by fantasy, but far too many fantasy authors write very lazy prose, determined to take the reader on a grand tour following the Tolkien model. One Lord of the Rings is exactly the right amount – one Lord of the Rings to rule them all, and so forth. All subsequent long-form, multi-volume epics featuring wise wizards and plucky heroes have been entirely unnecessary. The step-children of Tolkien’s masterpiece (The Wheel of Time, A Song of Fire and Ice and many others) all started with promise then crumbled under their own weight.
What I’d like to see is that level of imagination brought into a far less pretentious story-telling model.
9. What are you currently reading?
I’ve started book one of the Dark Tower by Stephen King, but I have several other books “open” including the last collection of essays and criticism by Christopher Hitchens, a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl and the poems of Robert Frost.
10. What is the best book you've read?
Brave New World.
11. Any new projects coming up?
I’ll work on books two and three in the Gods and Monsters series before I allow myself to do anything else. The (draft) first chapter of book two will be online during this blog tour – there aren’t any spoilers in it if you haven’t read Jack Nylund yet.
The Death of Jack Nylund is a tense, beautiful and grotesque slice of fictionalised Americana, merging the horror of Lovecraft with the best of crime fiction. And it’s available now print and electronic formats, everywhere.
Book Description:
America, 1922. Ten years have passed since The Lines went up, dividing the States and the world into isolated pockets. The oligarchs are gangsters, titans of industry, monsters – the secret masters of mankind. They have endured a decade of cold war stalemate – but with forces equally weighted, the life of one man might be enough to change the fate of all men.
US Federal Marshal Clay Falk must bring Jack Nylund to New York. For the Marshal and his deputies the financial rewards are enormous, but in a landscape of shifting loyalties Falk is soon made a counter-offer he can’t refuse. The war can be ended in a single night – the price is the honour of a legend and the life of a god.
Private Investigator Walter Black has no idea his latest missing person’s case is the balance on which the world rests. Jack Nylund’s sister is dying and Walter must track Jack’s scent across America, through ruined lives, secret addictions and unforgettable pasts. The enemy he must overcome is one he’s all too familiar with. The cost of his failure would be the death of Jack Nylund.
About the Author:
David F Porteous is a social research consultant and author of the novel Singular and the forthcoming Gods & Monsters series. The following are randomly selected biographical details about David - hit refresh to learn more.
Early Life
David attended Cockenzie and Port Seton Primary School where he learned to spell and write his name in cursive. The value of these once impressive skills has been substantially undermined by subsequent technological developments.
Influences
His favourite authors include Iain Banks, George V. Higgins, Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
Other Interests
In his teens and early twenties he used to write poetry. People shouldn't try to find it; none of it was good.
Professional Work
In 2002 he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in Marketing Management. His honours dissertation asserted that there was a bright future ahead for DVD rental stores. Over time this assertion proved to be both wrong and stupid. (He is not giving back the degree).
Blog
@dfpiii
Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway. I really want to read this book. Sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
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