Author Interview: Stephen Lloyd Jones

A couple of weeks ago I was delighted to be invited to take part in a Blog Tour being organised by Headline Publishing for one of their new books, ‘The String Diaries’, by Stephen Lloyd Jones. I recently reviewed and very much enjoyed this book so was happy to take part. I decided that I would like my contribution to be an interview with the author to add to the series that I have been running. ‘The String Diaries’ is Stephen’s debut novel so this seemed to fit with my wish to interview a variety of writers at different stages in their careers.

As with many authors, Stephen also has a day job. I am somewhat in awe of someone who can produce such a tightly written, fast paced, engrossing and complex tale in the midst of a life filled with family and other work commitments. As well as ‘The String Diaries’, Stephen has found the time to write a sequel, due to be published later this year.

Without further ado then, let us find out more about the man behind the book.

Please welcome to neverimitate, Stephen Lloyd Jones.

Where do you typically write?

I’m currently writing this in a coffee shop, next to a large latte. I like to work in different places but I do the bulk of my writing on the sofa at home, the laptop propped on a cushion. With the exception of rodeo riding, it’s probably the worst way of treating your spine possible. I urgently need to buy a desk, but at the moment there’s nowhere to put it.

Tell us about your writing process.

It usually starts with a single image – a snapshot of a scene. That percolates for a couple of months until I begin to sense the story and the characters around it. I don’t need to have everything worked out before I start, but I do like a rough sense of where I’m going. Once the actual writing begins I can motor along fairly comfortably, averaging a few thousand words a day.

Tell us about your publishing experience.

I used to walk past the offices of Headline Publishing on the way to work and fantasise about being called there to a meeting one day. When my agent phoned and told me I had a deal with them, it was a surreal moment. Shocking and thrilling. I was standing outside a pub with the guys from work, a few hundred yards from the Headline building. It felt like my life had just jumped out of the tracks.

In what ways do you promote your work?

With any opportunity I try to decide whether it’s going to be more beneficial than spending the time writing. There are so many ways and so much time you can devote to it, that if you’re not careful you’ll find you’ve stopped producing any actual work. I’ve worked in media all my adult life and although it’s oft quoted it’s true nonetheless: the most powerful advertising is word of mouth. It’s human nature to share positive experiences. What matters most is creating the best experiences you can with the talent you have.

What are some of your current projects?

I’ve just delivered the sequel to ‘The String Diaries’ to Headline. It’s called ‘Written In The Blood’, and is out on 6th November. Now that’s done, I’m starting work on my third novel. It’s an idea I’ve had for a while, and I’m incredibly excited about it.

Where can my readers find you?

My website is  www.StephenLloydJones.com.

I’m on twitter as Stephen Lloyd Jones (@sljonesauthor).

‘The String Diaries’ can be purchased from the publisher, Amazon, and all good book retailers.

 

Stephen Jones was born in 1973 and grew up in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. He studied at Royal Holloway College, University of London and is the director of a major London media agency. He lives in Surrey with his wife, three young sons and far too many books.

‘The String Diaries’ is his first novel and Headline are delighted to announce that Stephen’s next novel, ‘Written in the Blood’, will be published in hardback on 6^th November this year.

 

 

  

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