Author interview with James Quinn

It’s been awhile since I did an author interview, so today, please welcome James Quinn – writer of Cold War Espionage Thrillers. I’m thrilled to have you here.

Who is James Quinn? What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was little. It was my dream job. As a kid I was always writing, I guess what would be called “fan fiction” these days, about superheroes, comic book characters, etc. I even won a book voucher prize from my junior school for a short story I wrote about “Ant-Man”!

So when I hit my 40’s I figured I’d waited long enough and decided to give it a go for real. It actually started off as an experiment to see if I could actually write a book length story more than anything else, so when the experiment turned into a reality I was over the moon.

What’s your favorite book you’ve written and why?

Well I think the first (A Game for Assassins) will always hold a special place in my heart. It kick started everything and changed aspects of my life in so many ways; some professional and some personal.

What are the best and worst aspects of writing?

For me the best aspects are that you get to share your vision and story with the world, you have unlimited control over what the characters do and what the book is going to become. The downside is having the time to actually get the writing done and the discipline that I need to have to put pen to paper…figuratively speaking. Ideas I have plenty of, that’s not a problem, it always comes back to having enough time so that it doesn’t feel rushed or forced.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

Again it comes back to having enough time. My publisher (Next Chapter) helps a lot with that and the promotion weeks are for me a necessary evil, but ones that are invaluable in getting the books known.

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

Well…I guess I’m going to cheat and say I’m a bit of both. I have a wonderful publisher that helps in so many ways, but I’m also a bit of an independent in the way that I am flexible about how I promote, market and indeed write about the subjects that I write about. I’m complex. At the end of the day I’m just an author.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I love the ideas! I love the creative process and when the dialogue is flowing smoothly it’s the best feeling in the world. Fundamentally though I just like giving the readers the opportunity to share in my stories.

Do you read books in the genre you write?

Absolutely! I write in the spy thriller/action genre and that’s a genre I have always loved! When I was a kid I absorbed the works of Jack Higgins, Frederick Forsyth, John LeCarre. They all had a profound effect on what I write now.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to recharge?

I love to travel, meet new people. I have my children which keep me busy and active, and then I have those days when I just chill and recharge my batteries. Then….do it all over again.

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?

I’m afraid I do. I wish I could be an author ALL the time. Maybe one day. I operate as a security consultant for a number of specialized companies. The advantage of this line of work is that I can use a number of real scenarios and tweak them into plot lines or devices for my books.

What makes you laugh?

Good company. People with a happy outlook and a zest for life!

What (not who) would you take to a lonely island?

A selection of my favorite books and my favorite photo of my children!

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

Ricky Gervais. I think me and him would get on just fine.

We’ve come to that point where it’s time to meet one of your characters. Which book is your character from?

A Game for Assassins, Sentinel Five, Rogue Wolves, Gorilla Warfare.

Who are you and what is your name?

My name is Jack Grant. But my friends and enemies call me “Gorilla.” If you’d seen me operate you’d understand why I’m known as Gorilla Grant. I’m not gentle but I do get the job done.

I used to work for the British Secret Service, until we had a parting of the ways over a botched operation in Rome. I was a Redactor. I took care of the people who were a problem for the British Government. I now work freelance for whoever pays me.

Are you a fictional or historical figure?

Well I am not historical. Fictional? Maybe to some people, but I feel very, very real.

What should we know about you?

I’m a working class spy. I didn’t go to the posh private universities like some of the people I worked for in MI6. I came up the hard way, was good at my job. Then of course there was that messy business in Berlin when I was in the army…but that’s a story for another time.

Tell us about your story. When and where is your tale set?

My story starts in the early 1960’s when I worked for MI6 taking out extremists, terrorists and double agents for them. I’ve protected agent networks and hunted assassins of all denominations. It’s what I do. What I’m good at. During the 1960’s and 70’s I went freelance and was involved in all kinds of missions for whoever could afford me.

What is your personal goal? What do you ultimately want?

I used to think that I just wanted to be the best Redaction agent in the business. I have an international reputation as the best operative with any kind of small arms at close quarters. But these days, I’m not so sure…I guess these days I just want to keep the people close to me safe.

What is standing in your way? What conflict(s) do your face?

I have enemies from all sides. Once you clash heads with the KGB, CIA, terrorists and assassins you do tend to draw in a lot of gunfire. I want to leave that life, but I keep getting dragged back in for just one more job.

James, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  Readers, if you LOVE spy thrillers, you can pick up James Quinn’s books at any Amazon online stores. 

How do my readers connect with you?

I can be reached through the following links. It is always good to hear from my readers and I will always try my best to answer every query.

https://www.facebook.com/Gorillagrant/

https://jamesquinn.webs.com/

https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-quinn-british-espionage-thriller-author

About James Quinn

James Quinn spent 15 years in the secret world of covert operations, undercover investigations and international security before turning his hand to writing.

He is trained in hand to hand combat and in the use of a variety of weaponry including small edged weapons, Japanese Swords and Hunting Bows. He is also a crack pistol shot for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and many of his experiences he has incorporated into his works of fiction.

He lives in the United Kingdom and the USA.