As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you?
That any stories they tell me will be stored and may be used in a future M/M romance novel.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
I write M/M romance. Other than that, I like a variety. Currently I am working on a billionaires series called Queens Crescent. Set in one of London’s most exclusive postcodes, this street has Formula One drivers, minor royals, PR gurus and ex-pop stars all looking for love and finding it in unusual places.
This year also sees the release of my Two Tribes trilogy. Set in the murky underworld of gangs in Manchester, a vicious turf war breaks out. Liam Moseley and his brother, Shaun, find themselves caught up in ways they never would have imagined. It would be a really stupid time to fall in love, right?
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
I wrote a nice little summer romance story called Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid for a collection. I really loved writing that one. Not least because we were in the midst of a lockdown and it felt nice to spend time in Spain, even if it was in my head. While I was working on this story, I knew I wanted to throw myself down the M/M rabbit hole with wild abandon. So reader, I did.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
In M/M romance I have so many – Fang’d by Vin George, Two Tribes by Fearne Hill and Charles by Con Riley were recent favourites.
In non M/M romance – I love all sorts. Classics like the Brontes, George Eliot or Elizabeth Gaskell. Modern writers like David Mitchell, Jasper Fforde or Tracy Chevalier are all must reads too.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
I like to think of it as organised chaos. Every two weeks or so, I have a blitz. Yet stuff just creeps on back in. I’m redesigning my study this year so maybe, just maybe, I’ll get better.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
I’m an extroverted introvert. That’s to say when I’m out and about, I’m fairly confident. I do like my own company too. That’s how I get all the writing done.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
Strong characters. I love inventing people, it’s such a fun thing to do. Writing m/m romance has allowed my imagination to go into all sorts of worlds. I like to write flawed characters who give me all sorts of challenges.
What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Be prepared to work hard. Writing isn’t just putting pen to paper. There are all sorts of challenges that you have to roll your sleeves up and tackle. Social media, promo, networking, reading as a writer. The list is endless.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
The Star Wars universe. I am the biggest Star Wars nerd. My favourite character is C-3P0, I’d probably be sat with him panicking while war raged around us!
Your favourite place to read and/or write?
In bed all cosy for both. I do have a study and go in there a lot. However, if I’m doing a first draft I like maximum comfort haha.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
An author, always. But life got in the way for a while. I got here in the end. Better late than never.
BONUS Q. Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
They are all connected in some way or other. Yup there is the odd easter egg in there. No one will notice it but amuses me!
Thank you so much for your time, Kristian!
To keep in touch, you can find him in all the usual places:
Newsletter & two free stories! www.kristianparker.com
Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristiansworld
TikTok @kparkerwriter
Twitter @kparkerwriter
Insta @kparkerwriter
Authors at the Armouries 