It has been a few weeks since I have done one of my author spotlights and this week I am pleased to introduce you all to ex-pat Matt Leyshon. Matt recently wrote an amazing book Jack the Ripper: Live and Uncut that he will tell us a little about in a moment, but first I must let you all know that the book is currently unavailable as he has some HUUUUUUUGE news coming soon about an update and a wider audience reach. So WATCH THIS SPACE!
Tell us about yourself and your books!
I was born
and raised in Sydney, Australia, in a suburb called Liverpool. I had always
enjoyed writing from an early age but had never extended that passion to the level
of a completed novel.
I moved to the USA in 2004 and have been here since. I have lived in Florida
the whole time, (Tampa now), and have a lovely wife and two gorgeous children.
I often refer to them as “the greatest story I have”.
My one book
at this point, Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut, is a thriller. My books, (yes a
series is being developed), tell of a concept of using time travel to solve
cold cases. The book was written with both sides of the fence in mind. Jack the
Ripper fans, even the hard core ones, will enjoy the level of historical detail
and its accuracy, but it will also entertain readers that are new to the case.
I basically wanted to write a decent Jack the Ripper tale but at its core is a
fast paced thriller. A whole lot going on, both inside and outside of
Whitechapel.
How long have you been writing, and how
did you become involved in writing?
I guess the
first time I wrote a story and received encouragement to tell stories was when
I was six years old. My first grade teacher liked a story I wrote about someone
who eats chicken sandwiches with ghosts in a haunted house. Writing has always
been a passion I have harboured but never fully embraced. My efforts on this
novel, and to become a proper author, are approaching the two and a half year
mark, so I would say that is how long I have been writing.
The catalyst
for committing to writing was an online tutorial I did called “Masterclass”, a
website that has celebrities teach in their given specialty. Mine was conducted
by James Patterson and the topic was thriller writing. It was very educational
and it was also the kick up the ass that I needed. Another huge incentive was
that Patterson was running a competition for his class members; submit a hook,
synopsis and sample chapter for a potential novel. The winner got to write
their book with James Patterson. I came up with three submissions, one of which
was the book I wrote. So that was the original source of inspiration. I didn’t
submit it however as it was something I really wanted for myself. The day I
heard I did not win his competition was one of the happiest days of my life. I
immediately began working on my book, “Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut”.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am
currently one hundred pages deep into the next Carl Axford adventure. It’s
working title is “Cult Following: A Carl Axford Mystery”. I have 90% of the story
outlined and am finalizing the plot and continuing my research. This book will
suggest that several deaths of famous musicians, that were deemed accidental or
unsolved, will be linked to a common cause. There is also a present day target.
This will also see a lot of expansion on the original concepts in the first
book and I am already taking them to new potential, which is always exciting as
an author. There are also some sub plots that more or less play out over an arc
in the series, so some subplots that were begun in the first instalment will
see progress in the next.
I can also
say I already broke my promise to write the book in proper sequence, and have
written the last chapter of the book. I couldn’t help it. The inspiration came
and I had to put it into words while the moment was there. What I can say is
that anyone who reads Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut is going to be grinning
from ear to ear when they finish Cult Following.
I have also
been thinking about writing a book that is autobiographical. My son was
diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at two and a half , and I wanted to document
our journey from birth, to diagnosis, through to where we are today. The
working title is Spectrumhood and I really want to tell our story, especially
from a father’s perspective. The most valuable information we have been given
is from people who walk in our shoes. I wanted to pay that forward. Mrs Leyshon
wants me to continue with the Axford series though, so I’m working on that
primarily, but Spectrumhood will see publication one day.
Did you have any goals with writing,
and if so, how well do you feel you’ve achieved them? What do you hope to achieve in the future?
As a first
time author I think my goals would be consistent with others like me. Some of
it is a balance of low expectations, combined with the pipedreams of being a
NYT Best Seller.
When I wrote it I simply wanted a book that people would enjoy to read. I
hadn’t expected any traction within the Ripper Community as I know how much
they like to discuss books with facts and that Ripper fiction has not always
represented the case, or Jack, well. As a first time author I had some doubts
that my book would be liked but I was proud of what I had written.
The response
has been truly overwhelming so far. While sales are nowhere near the “best
seller” range, the critical reception has been off the charts. Across the
Amazon sites I have nearly 30 reviews to date and only one of them was not a 5
star review. That reader still enjoyed the book. What was even more encouraging
is that Ripper publication were unanimous with their praise. They didn’t just
like it, they loved it! Naturally I was happy to update my cover and include
some quotes from them on the back. I was also invited to appear on Rippercast
as one of five authors to discuss Jack the Ripper fiction. My book had been out
for less than a month when that invitation came. I have also appeared at
Rippercon as a panellist to discuss Jack the Ripper in Fiction. The fact my
book received such a warm welcome, to the point of embrace, is incredibly
satisfying. For me, this is the demographic that is the most likely to
criticize my work so I feel confident all readers will enjoy it.
Finding
representation from a literary agent has been difficult as my decision to
self-publish in order to solicit feedback has cost the book dearly. But, I am
proud to say that I beat the self-published hex and have secured a literary
agent. I am extremely happy and excited about moving forward with an agent on
the next level. In order to do this I now have to remove the book from
publication. A shame, as it had gained terrific traction, but this is what I
wanted for the book so an action I have no problem following through with. I
have appreciated all of the support and great feedback the book has received.
It was a big part in peeking my agent’s interest.
How long does it take you to write a
book?
From
commencing first chapter, to completion of first draft, Live and UnCut took me
sixteen months to write, but that did include a three month break. Being
immersed in my research and story was something I would often describe as
“going down a dark rabbit hole”. Some people love that rabbit hole, many live
in it. I didn’t want that for myself nor may family. My wife and children went
on a road trip in which I wrote 180 pages in 10 days. I love them dearly, but
man…..I get so much done when I’m on my own!
What are the hardest parts of being an
author for you?
Finding the
time to do it for sure. My books involve a lot of research so getting the time
to do it all is tough. I am a stickler for detail though and want therefore
shoulder the burden of research with the realistic approach that its for a good
cause. This also has to fit in with a life of being a software techie, father
and husband.
What do you enjoy most about being an
author?
When you
complete the plot for a book and it all fits nicely. I outline my books so I
know some chapters I will be looking forward to a lot as well, and obviously
with Jack the Ripper you kind of know some things that are coming but I love
the challenge of making it fresh and making the reader feel like they have been
put right there. My book turns the creep factor up to eleven, the intention is
to freak the reader out, not gross them out. On balance I don’t sugar coat what
he did either.
One evening I
wrote a chapter I had been eager to write for 6 months. I wrote through till
1:30am, but could not fall asleep until 5:00am due to being full of so much
adrenaline. I thought, if my readers could feel a tenth of how I did, reading
this material, then I would be happy. Subsequently I have heard that people who
have read the book have had it keep them up some nights. I actually like that.
I didn’t want the premise to set a scene that was gory, I wanted it to be eerie.
Gory is disposable, creepy remains with you.
Do you have a spot where you like to
write?
I write at a
desk in my living room. Typically I just like to write where it is quiet and
where I have a decent sized monitor. I finished the book while staying, alone,
at a beach condo on the water. I could get used to that.
Besides writing, what do you love
doing?
I love my
kids and try to be a good dad for them as well as try to be a good husband. As
for me I am a huge movie buff as well as a sports fanatic….at least for some
sports. I miss the accessibility of some Australia sports as American tv
doesn’t cover them with the same enthusiasm. I try to watch my beloved Wests
Tigers whenever I can though.
What books or authors have had the most influence on you as an author?
I have
several, and all for different reasons”
Martin Cruz Smith – Writes so beautifully and with great philosophy. His Arkady
Renko novels are all masterpieces and he is so quotable with his description of
places or people. Also the way he shows his main character evolves through his
various stories but also how Russia changes along with him. He is literary God
to me. I can easily pick up a Renko and read it.
James
Patterson – James is the ultimate page turner. Usually when you read a
Patterson you make short work of it, mostly because you don’t want to put his
book down. One thing he said that I loved was when he tells a story he doesn’t
want to hear somebody say “that’s great” he would rather hear somebody say “I’d
like to read more”. That is Patterson in a nutshell and he is the master of
stories that propel forward and at a quick pace.
Ben Elton – I
love Elton as I have been a fan of his humour for decades. When he branched out
from television and wrote novels I have enjoyed not only every story he writes
but also his variety. He has written satires, murder-who dunnits, thrillers and
always has great social commentary in every novel. He also has great humour in
his books which is expected given what he gave to tv viewers.
Dan Brown – I
love the Langdon series. What impresses me so much about Dan Brown, when I
first read Angels and Demons, was that this book would make a terrific movie. I
have felt that way about all of the Langdons. Needless to say I was very happy
to hear that they were doing exactly that, and have done with three of them.
When reading Brown you truly picture a scene playing out in your head. What I
also like is Brown doesn’t dwell on getting to know the hero. Robert Langdon is
a likeable hero but we don’t connect with him necessarily. We do become
invested in his adventure though and want to see him succeed and it is through
the journey that we learn little bits about Landon. I also appreciate that in
those books it is Langdon’s talent that ultimately helps him progress through a
mystery. The story is moved forward by what he knows and what he is good at. I
like that a lot. I also like that Brown is not afraid of tackling a topic that
knows will court controversy. He researches his books well, weaves history into
a great story, but one that is ultimately fiction. Brown on his own admission
concedes that these are stories……..not preachings to base a belief structure
on.
Very
honorable mentions are Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare. Both capture
the drama of horror or tragedy so profoundly. Their work has been the template
for everybody that followed them.
What did you find most useful when you
were learning to write and expanding your skills?
Definitely
the importance of having an outline, for me it was massive. There were some
chapters that I didn’t get to write for months and I was relieved that I had
placed a lot of relevant information in there and not have to research it
again.
While writing
the story I did develop other characters and device plots that were not in my
outline, so I went back and added them in. An outline is a great tool,
sometimes your best friend, but its completion should never signify the end of
creativity for your story. It should be a balance of structure and spontaneity.
What are your thoughts about ebooks
vs. print books?
Always
preferred print books myself, but I can definitely relate to why people prefer
eBooks. For personal reading I prefer paperback or hard covers, if I’m
purchasing books for research I will predominantly go with eBooks mostly on the
convenience of the delivery but also I usually buy a lot of books and it’s
tough keeping them all on my desk.
What are your thoughts about
self-publishing vs traditional publishing?
It’s down to
the author. My preference is the traditional route, but the market is so
saturated now it’s very hard to break through. As a first timer I wasn’t sure I
had a decent book, so I opted to self-publish, in order to seek feedback
(validation). Once I saw the reaction was great, especially from professionals
in the industry, I sought to query agents. Sadly the phrase “self-published”
pretty much condemns your book to instant rejection, at least in the US it
does. Thankfully I found an agent that saw past that.
I see
benefits of both. Self-publishing does offer you more freedom to promote it, it
gives you creative license over the story, but it is all truly down to you. In
spite of it all I do prefer the traditional route as I believe it is the route
more likely to lead to being an author full time.
How often do you write, and how do you
find or make time to write?
I try to put
something in every day, whether it’s writing, research or outlining. How much
time is subject to different factors, mostly when my kids are asleep. The
majority of my book was written between 10:00pm and 2:00am.
Do you plan your whole book out in
advance, or just let it flow? What does your writing process look like?
I outline
most of it, especially if I have to include research notes, or develop plot
lines or twists. Coming back to those months later is very handy. I normally
establish “plot beads” which are chunks of the narrative or twists in plot, the
major things. I then work on a way of threading them together. Cult Following
will have a thread that involves multiple ciphers. I’m glad I locked the
details of that away prior to writing it. When it comes to completing those
chapters I’ll be golden.
What's a typical working day like for
you? When and where do you write?
9:00 - 6:00
Work as a Solutions Architect
6:00 – 8:00
Have dinner, hang with the kids
10:00 – After
insomniac daughter finally goes to sleep begin writing.
Do you ever get Writer’s Block? If so,
how do you deal with it?
I did, once
during Live and UnCut. I had hit one of the most critical parts of the book but
realised I had a lot of research to do if I wanted to portray the next few
chapters how I wold have wanted. The first chapter I had written in the book
was chapter 37, which covered the Eddowes murder. So I picked up from there and
wrote through to the end. I then had a 15 chapter gap to fill. Strangely, I
didn’t fill the gap from chapter 22 through to 37, but went from 34-37, 31-34
and so on. Writing in the gap was like the movie Memento in a way.
Do you read your own reviews? If so,
how do you deal with bad reviews?
Yes I do,
because feedback is very important. If it’s positive feedback, you not only
learn what you’ve done right but you also feel validated in the effort,
research and risk you put into to producing the book. If it’s negative, you
learn from that also in order to improve and put out a better product. You’re
not going to make everybody happy but sometimes praise or criticism should
definitely be noted. You have your own instincts but your readers voices should
guide you a little as well.
Fortunately
for me the story has received no bad reviews. I have received 5 stars, across
the board, with the exception of one 3 star review from a reader, which was
still complimentary. I did however receive criticism for the original cover. It
seemed like a good idea at the time as I wanted something that got a reader’s
attention but it was too confrontational and did not represent the story
inside. The cover was doing the book a disservice and there was no lack of
people willing to let me now. I owned all of it though and sought out a new
cover that represented a mainstream thriller, still included Jack to a minor
extent and show my main character’s purpose. I think the new cover got it right
this time.
The feedback is a lot more positive.
It was not my
artist’s fault, he delivered what I had asked and in hindsight I did not make
the best call there.
I guess this
all leads to an answer of I do listen to both criticism and praise.
Other than reviews, do you hear from
your readers? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes! I LOVE
talking to my readers. A: I love hearing their feedback and discussing what
they loved about the story. What plot twists they enjoyed the most. I also like
to impart some stories behind the book. There are some cool research stories to
be told along with some others that may give up spoilers.
I make myself
completely available to readers and encourage them to reach out. Whether that
is somebody who knew me before reading it and was surprised by what they read,
or a sceptic who doesn’t like Ripper Fiction or time travel fiction but loved
the book. A convert is my favourite reader as I know they did not approach the
book with enthusiasm but came out on the other side a fan is terrific. I
recently had somebody, I had never met, post on Facebook “Better be good, just
purchased.” Later that first day they had added to their post that they had
done nothing all morning except read my book. She is now a FB Friend, we talk
regularly, and she recently described the book as her “favourite read of 2018”.
As an author you have to love hearing that your work won somebody over like
that.
The big thing
for me is I want to hear why people came across the book and where that has
progressed to. Some readers knew me personally, some love reading Jack the
Ripper books. What I enjoy hearing after the book has been read is that they
love the characters, the ideas, and that they will be back for more. They are
saying they enjoyed your story and want to hear more. The sense of obligation
is gone. I need to get Cult Following completed as there are a many readers
wanting to see what happens next. Unfortunately, now that I am beginning along
the traditional route, it will be difficult to gain any new readers/fans, but
readers are now encouraged to lend their copy out to their family and friends.
What are some ways in which you
promote your books? What have you found
most or least effective?
Various ways.
I have done a couple of book signings in stores and intend to get that going
again. I use Social Media but I am yet to see the influence it can be. It can
translate to presence but not necessarily sales. Maybe that does come later,
we’ll see. A good example is I ran a Facebook Promo and accidentally selected
it to run on Instagram instead. I received nearly 2,000 likes for my picture
but If there were sales from it I don’t think it would have been more than 2-3
books. I have a lot to learn in this area though and am trying to educate
myself better.
I was invited on Rippercast, the main Jack the Ripper related podcast as a
guest panellist to discuss Jack the Ripper Fiction. I was also invited to
Rippercon, the Jack the Ripper Conference in the US. Again, I appeared as a
panellist to discuss Jack the Ripper in fiction. I will also be appearing at a
few more conventions, speaking on panels and trying to promote the book and
myself further. My book has been nominated for several awards. Fingers crossed
I do well in one or two of those as being an “award winner” suggests
distinction from the pack.
I have created a website and am starting to channel everything through there. At
first I didn’t have enough happening to create a decent amount of content. Now
I think I do and with the website will also come a newsletter. The website also
played a critical part in escalating intrigue from my agent.
How easy or hard do you think it is it to make a living as an author?
Speaking for myself, it’s hard. I think that would apply to any Indie Author. Attracting a reader base is one thing but another issue is that promoting your book comes at a cost most of the time. People charge ridiculous fees to simply review your book. A review should never cost more than the price of the book and the expense to ship it to them. Others charge money to promote it, critique it, proof-read it. If you want to enter your book into an awards contest, there is typically a fee, if you want it to progress through various channels you pay membership fees. For an Indie Author there are a lot of overheads. We’ll see what the future holds now that all of that is about to change.
What advice would you give to someone
aspiring to be an author?
Do it! Being
an author is all about wanting to tell the stories you have inside you and if
you feel you have a story to share then get typing. The most important thing is
if you believe in your story then believe in yourself.
What I will
say as well is it’s a long road, with hard work. Very few authors strike
jackpot with their first book and seeking representation is a battle you need
to prepare for. If you want this, there are thousands, millions even, that feel
it as well. You have to think about what makes you different, what makes your
story better, and fight the good fight using that arsenal. If you wish to find
an agent I have had many people tell me it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and
that’s true. I ran the sprint and wished I had taken the path with greater
resistance. Finding an agent takes time. Authors who find an agent in less
than 30 rejections are the exception, not the rule. Many of the great authors
were rejected many times. Even when you find an agent, they take the same fight
you fought to publishers, so finding an agent is getting to first base, it’s
not running into home plate.
For all the
work and frustrations there is so much good stuff. Hearing from somebody that
they loved your book is a beautiful thing. Being an author is like golf
basically….there are a lot of times the shots don’t go your way and you become
frustrated to the pointed you want to break a club in half. Then you have a
couple of moments that make up for all of that. In the end you say to yourself,
“maybe I’ll come back for another round”.
Tell us a random fact about yourself
Random
eh…….ok. I eat price tags. I love eating price tags, and I love how they taste.
A lot of new ones have holograms and other shit, but the old fashion peel away
ones! Yeah….I love those. It’s a habit I never grew out of :)
How can readers find out more about you: (Fb, Goodreads, website links and such)
Twitter: @mleyshonauth
