Waiting For Godwin

Your first novel, Apostle Rising, has been a tremendous success. 

Could you tell us about the highest and lowest points you’ve

experienced since its release last year?

The amazing reception it got from so many sincerely valued writers

online as well as finding new readers. Seeing everyone get older.

Would you say that your life has changed in any way?

Not really.

To my mind, you’re the writer who seems to luxuriate more than

any other in the description of the horrific or erotic fiction.  From

my perspective as a reader, I get the feeling that you derive a lot of

pleasure from stretching yourself in every way imaginable

(especially in the depiction of violent acts).  I don’t wish to suggest

you’re twisted, but wonder if my impression of your pleasures is

accurate.

Impressions can be misleading. Writers usually say their best lines

come from nowhere, as Burroughs observed. There is a common

misinterpretation that writers are what they write, you are referring

to the body of work of mine that is popular, yet I also write poetry

and literary stories. I think the darker stuff appeals more to readers.

I have never met a serial killer yet I write about them.

To what do you attribute your love of dark subject material?

If you read the newspapers there is plenty of dark material in there. I

think writing characters who do extreme things is a good way to dig

into the human psyche and to explore motivation.

I note that your new book, Mr Glamour, is set in the world of

fashion.  I love the line in the blurb ‘The killer in Mr. Glamour

knows all about design, he knows what brands mean to his

victims. He is branding their skins.’  You really do have a vivid

imagination regarding methods of death and torture.  How

naturally do this ideas arrive in your consciousness or is this

something you need to work at?

Thank you. If you read some of the classics there is a lot of dark

stuff in there. I try to make things new, but truthfully you can find

any manner of deaths on the internet. The character will usually tell

you how they would commit an act.

Not only are you a talented novelist, but you’re one of the most

prolific writers working in the short form and have appeared in

some of the best anthologies around.  How easy is it for you to

shift between the two forms?

I started writing novels, so a story is easier. However the story form

demands a tightness that is not always necessary in a novel. It is a

different medium and I enjoy both. I see them as natural relatives.

And in terms of anthologies, what do you consider to be the

making of a good one?

A good selection of a variety of talents. A balanced selection of

stories.

I wonder about your writing environment.  I picture you

surrounded by heavy tomes, bones and curious objects.  Describe

the place you write for us.

Anywhere. Literally.

How did you and Black Jackal Books come together?

I sent them my manuscript.

The cover of the new book has a suggestion of voyeurism in it.  Is

it a cover you’ve had a lot of input in yourself?

Voyeurism does play a part in Mr. Glamour. Black Jackal Books

consult me about cover designs, and I suggested the basic concept.

Here we have another cop duo in operation.  Did you consider

giving Castle and Stone another run?  And would you now?

Do you mean writing a sequel to Apostle Rising? I am writing it.

Would you mind adding a little taster from the book?

Mr. Glamour is about a designer world full of beautiful wealthy people. It is about the creation of myth. Detective Chief Inspector Flare and Inspector Steele try to catch a killer who has climbed inside their heads. As they investigate they step into a hall of mirrors and find themselves up against a wall of secrecy. The investigation drives Flare and Steele - who are themselves harbouring secrets - to acts of darkness. And the killer is watching everyone.

Heywood Gould said:

“Richard Godwin knows how his characters dress, what they drink and what they drive. He knows how they live--- and how they die. Here's hoping no one recognized themselves in Godwin's cold canvas. Combines the fun of a good story with the joy of witty, vivid writing.”

But the real question is who is Mr. Glamour?

Richard Godwin is a widely published crime and horror writer.

His second novel Mr. Glamour (US and UK) is being published in March 2012 by Black Jackal Books and is available online and at all good retailers.
It is about a glamorous world with a predator in its midst.

His first crime novel Apostle Rising (US and UK) was published by Black Jackal Books as a paperback on March 10, 2011. In it a serial killer is crucifying politicians and recreating the murder scenes of an old case. It is available online and on the shelves of all good bookstores.
It met with excellent reviews worldwide and sold foreign rights throughout Europe.

The author’s work has appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and you can find links to his stories on the magazines page of his sitehttp://www.richardgodwin.net/magazines

His Chin Wags At The Slaughterhouse are interviews he has conducted with writers and can be found at the blog on his website here http://richardgodwin.net/ where you can also find a full list of his works.