A Conversation with Rachel Amphlett
Before turning to writing, Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as a sub-editor and editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction and spy novels, including the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the Detective Kay Hunter series.
Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel cites her writing influences as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Robert Ludlum. She’s also a huge fan of Peter James, Val McDermid, Angela Marsons, Robert Bryndza, Ken Follett, and Stuart MacBride.
She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag.
Her novels are available in eBook, paperback and audiobook formats from worldwide retailers including Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, and Google Play.
A keen traveller, Rachel holds both EU and Australian passports and can usually be found plotting her next trip two years in advance!
Rachel’s Newest Novella Releases: The English Spy Mysteries
The English Spy Mysteries is a new concept: Combining fast-paced thrilling reads with episodic delivery in the vein of TV shows 24, Alias, and Spooks, series 1 is a must-read for fans of Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, and James Patterson.
Purchase Links:
Assassins Hunted
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Assassins Vengeance
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Assassins Retribution
Amazon US
Amazon UK
JRR (Jessica’s Reading Room): Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a full time writer of spy novels and crime fiction. I lived in the UK until about 12 years ago, and then I emigrated to Australia. I currently live in Brisbane, Queensland.
In the past, I’ve helped to run a pub, played lead guitar in bands, worked in radio as a producer and presenter, and was a film extra in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough, which was a heck of a lot of fun!
JRR: You have lived quite a life with so many different experiences. Did you always want to become an author? What made you choose the genre you write in?
Absolutely – I was reading before I started school, and wrote my first short story when I was eight years old. It wasn’t very good, but it was a mystery so I started early!
I gravitated towards the crime fiction and spy novel genres because those were the sorts of books that were on the shelves at home. Both my parents and grandparents were voracious readers. By the time I was twelve years old, I was running out of stuff to read – at that time there wasn’t anything around like The Hunger Games. My grandad lent me his copy of The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins, and that kicked off my love of the spy novel genre. Both he and my mum also had a vast collection of Dick Francis novels between them, as well as books by Ed McBain and the like so that’s what started my love of crime fiction.
JRR: That is wonderful to come from a family of readers! What inspires you to write?
The ideas that keep going around in my head – it’s as simple, and as hard as that. Every time I see a news report that capture my imagination, it adds fuel to the fire. Plus, I love what I do. Now that I’m a full-time writer, I have an added incentive of course – it pays the rent!
JRR: Congrats on becoming a full time author! Keep on writing! Who was the most influential author you read when you were growing up? Did his/her writings influence you to want to become an author?
Well, both Jack Higgins and Dick Francis were influences while I was studying English at school. I had a bit of a hiatus from writing once I left school, because I then spent seven years playing guitar in bands.
JRR: Who is your favorite author as an adult? Who inspires you?
It’s very difficult to pick one author, because I’ve been influenced by so many. Authors such as Lee Child, Michael Connolly, Peter Robinson, Val McDermid, Robert Cray and Ann Cleeves all line the bookshelves at home (or the virtual ones on my eReader). When I returned to writing a few years ago, I re-read a lot of their books as well as every single interview I could find with them about the writing craft – it was like going back to school.
JRR: If you could have dinner with three people (living or dead) who would they be and why?
Charles Darwin, because he was a very savvy businessman
Keith Richards, because he’s been a guitar hero of mine since I was about 7 or 8 years old
My grandad, because I haven’t seen him for nearly two years – we’re catching up again in May when I return to the UK for CrimeFest, but if I could sneak in an extra dinner date right now with him, then I would.
JRR: That is a great list. Have fun catching up with your grandfather in May. I know you are looking forward to that!
Now, which book have you always meant to get around to reading, but still not read?
A few people have told me I should read Shantaram
JRR: Thank you for sharing that as I had never heard of Shantaram. It’s a huge book, close to 1000 pages! Now, what’s the best advice you have ever received?
Always have an up-to-date CV and an up-to-date passport, just in case you ever need to do a runner 🙂
JRR: Great advice! I need to get my passport updated….. hmmmmm…..
You are releasing three novellas called The English Spy Mysteries this month over the course of three weeks. They are:
Assassins Hunted (186 pages, published January 7th)
Assassins Vengeance (112 pages, published January 14th)
Assassins Retribution (129 pages, published today, January 21st)
What made you decide to go this route with these novellas? The novellas are just long enough to get us going then they are over and we want more! At least the wait is just a week in between and the final one is out now!
As the story developed, it became apparent that at over 100,000 words it was going to be too long to fit into one book. On top of that, I’ve been reading more and more about how people’s attention spans are shrinking – we spend a lot of time on social media or watching Netflix and things like that.
So, I put two and two together and decided to release the story in “episodes”, just like a Netflix-type series – each episode is fast-paced and ends on a cliff-hanger, so hopefully you want to tune in next week to find out what happens next!
JRR: That is also how Stephen King released The Green Mile many years ago. I remember seeing each serialized part in the store. I did not read it until it was combined. I love that book.
You are self-published. What has that experience been like for you?
A lot of hard work, frustration, steep learning curves, long hours, and some marvellous opportunities – I wouldn’t change it for the world!
JRR: Yay! That is always exciting that you love the way life is going. Now, how do you research for your spy novels?
I’m lucky in that because I’ve been writing spy novels on and off for about six years now, I’ve amassed a good number of experts I can turn to with regard to things such as weapons guidance systems, submarines, and things like that. When I started out, I read a lot of books on specialised subjects and real-life accounts by bomb disposal experts. The defence section of online newspapers is a good place to start, too – The Daily Telegraph in the UK is a good one.
Nothing beats real-life experience though – in the time I’ve been writing spy novels I’ve done everything from pistol shooting to flying a Black Hawk helicopter simulator!
The trick is to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to learn, even when you’re not writing a story in the genre, so that you know where to find the information when you need it.
JRR: You have had some great experiences. You can’t know some things unless you have that experience. I am all for that as well.
You have both male and female protagonists in your novels. Who is more fun to write and do you prefer one to the other? Personally, I love a female protagonist who can be a badass. I love strong female characters. Then I also love villains, male and female alike. I like to say ‘the badder the better’ 😉
This is a difficult question to answer, because characters (and the inciting incident that kicks off a story) often pop into my head fully formed, so I don’t get a lot of choice in the matter!
It has been fun to write about Eva, because she’s like the really, really badass version of Kay Hunter, who leads my detective series.
The thing is as well, I see both of them as resilient rather than strong – I mean, they both have their limitations, but also rely on their experience and wiles to survive the situations they find themselves in, whereas someone like Dan Taylor has a bit more brawn on his side when it comes to facing down the bad guys.
I love villains, too!
Something I do keep in mind for every single character, even for someone who might only appear for a chapter or two, is to make sure they have a motive for what they do. Once I have that locked in, it becomes easier to create empathy towards them. Everyone has a reason for what they do, even the villains – you just have to keep tapping away at the character until you discover what that is.
JRR: Is there anything you want to tell us about Eva Delacourt, your protagonist of The English Spy Mysteries that we will get to know over the course of these novellas?
Eva finds it very hard to trust people, but she’s incredibly loyal once she has decided that you’re not going to harm her or the people she cares for.
Of course, if you do plan to harm her, you’d better watch out 😉
JRR: For someone who has not read anything written by you, what do you recommend for a start?
Any of my first in series books will give a reader a great taste of what’s to follow:
Assassins Hunted – the first book in the new English Spy Mysteries series
Scared to Death – the Detective Kay Hunter crime series
White Gold – the Dan Taylor espionage series
JRR: Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would love readers to come over and have a mooch around my website and find out more about me and my writing. You can find me at Rachel Amphlett.
Thank you so much for your time with this interview Rachel! It was a pleasure!
Contact Rachel:
Website
Facebook
Instagram @RachelAmphlett
Twitter @RachelAmphlett
Litsy @RachelAmphlett
Blog Tour: One to Watch
Today is my stop on the blog tour for One to Watch by Rachel Amphlett. Today is release day for One to Watch! You can enter to win an e-book copy at the bottom of this post. Today I am asking Rachel some questions about her journey to become a published author:
JRR (Jessica’s Reading Room):When did you first decided to get your ideas out of your head and onto paper?
In 2010 – I had the idea for my first novel, White Gold going around and round in my head for about 3 months at the end of 2009 and decided to write it. Prior to that, I’d had short stories placed in competitions and/or published, but that was the first time a full novel had seemed like a viable project to me. I think I had too much self-doubt (and not enough time!) before that.
JRR: How long did that first manuscript take to perfect?
Eight months in total to get to the first draft, and then the editing process took another few months after that.
JRR: But you got it done and now you are continuing your writing! How did you get your novel in front of publishers?
I pitched directly to publishers that were open to submissions and to agents. At the time, no-one was interested in an espionage thriller written by a female author, despite providing some brilliant feedback and encouragement, so in 2012 I decided to self-publish.
JRR: An author has to be ready for that rejection and think about their next steps. What was the first reaction of people?
Quiet! I had no idea how to market a book, so it really wasn’t until 2014 that I started to realise that I had to do all of that as well; I think I was a little bit in denial prior to that! I was approached by Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in Italy for the worldwide Italian rights to White Gold, and it made me realise that I had a good book on my hands – I just hadn’t made it visible enough. Since then, I’ve learned a lot and reader feedback has been great, especially with four novels in that particular series (Dan Taylor) now.
JRR: It’s been a learning process for you, but you seem to be doing well now! Did the publishers want to change a lot?
As I’m the publisher, I depend on beta reader feedback to keep me honest. More often than not, it’s a case of them making sure I’ve explained myself properly. It seems fine to me while I’m writing it as of course it all makes sense in my head, but it’s not often the case when the words hit the paper! I outline my books before I start writing them, so I know the structure is pretty tight – it’s tidying up the effects caused by characters saying certain things, or settings not being depicted clearly enough.
Sometimes, a beta reader will email me and say “Why did he/she do that?” or “A man would never say that”, and that’s helpful because it sends me back to the manuscript with fresh eyes. Every time I go through the process I learn more, though and it seems these days I’m already anticipating what they might say while I’m writing. I’m certainly finding less red pen on the manuscripts when they come back to me these days!
JRR: That’s how you know you are improving, less of the dreaded red ink on the manuscripts! How long did it take from them to get it out to the public?
I don’t hang around, as I have a punishing production schedule at the moment. From beta reader to professional proofreader and then publishing is only a matter of 3-4 weeks maximum.
JRR: That is quick! What input do you have on the cover?
I love working with my cover designer, and she’s got me well trained these days! I start out with the blurb and will go online and collect links to stock images I think might work, then send them to her. My cover designer decides what will work and what won’t (and why) and we go back and forth a couple of times, often no more, until we have a design we’re both happy with.
JRR: If you could do it all again, what would you change?
I’d write faster and publish more often, and I’d learn how to market a book properly – in some respects, I’m happy to be where I am on my writing journey as it’s been a continuous learning curve, but on some days I really wish I’d been a bit more business savvy with it.
**Thank you for your time with this interview Rachel!
One to Watch is available now!
Book Description:
Sophie Whittaker shared a terrifying secret. Hours later, she was dead.
Detective Kay Hunter and her colleagues are shocked by the vicious murder of a teenage girl at a private party in the Kentish countryside.
A tangled web of dark secrets is exposed as twisted motives point to a history of greed and corruption within the tight-knit community.
Confronted by a growing number of suspects and her own enemies who are waging a vendetta against her, Kay makes a shocking discovery that will make her question her trust in everyone she knows.
One to Watch is a gripping murder mystery thriller, and the third in the Detective Kay Hunter series:
- SCARED TO DEATH
- WILL TO LIVE
- ONE TO WATCH
- HELL TO PAY (out 2017)
About the Author:
Rachel Amphlett is the bestselling author of the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the new Detective Kay Hunter series, as well as a number of standalone crime thrillers.
Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel’s novels appeal to a worldwide audience, and have been compared to Robert Ludlum, Lee Child and Michael Crichton.
She is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold, being sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in 2014, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag in 2017
Contact Rachel:
Website
Facebook
Twitter @RachelAmphlett
Blog Tour: Will to Live
Today is my stop on the blog tour for Will to Live by Rachel Amphlett. Will to Live will be released tomorrow, April 5th, 2017! You can enter to win one of two e-book copies of Will to Live at the bottom of this post. Today I am asking Rachel some questions about herself so we can get to know her:
JRR(Jessica’s Reading Room): Where are you happiest?
Surrounded by greenery – rivers, woodlands, ancient sites, that sort of thing.
JRR: That sounds peaceful! We don’t have many ancient sites here in Georgia where I live. Who would you like to star in the film of your life?
Helen Mirren. Gotta love her attitude 🙂
JRR: Good choice! Describe your best ever holiday.
Sailing around the coast of Turkey and the Greek islands on a traditional gulet boat.
JRR: I would love to go to those countries one day! What do you think is the best thing about social media?
Networking and making new friends – I have so many new connections in the UK and around the world through my writing and I couldn’t have done that without social media. In small doses, it’s good.
JRR: Yes it can be a very good thing for networking! Now what about the worst…?!
Having to be careful what you say. It’s like emails – people can’t hear the inflections or humour in your voice and know whether you’re joking or not – and I have a very dry sense of humour!
JRR: What is the most important item you require for a quiet night in?
Gah! This is a hard one – it’d have to be a tie between a glass of wine and a book, lol
JRR: Yes, I agree on the book! Is it best to always tell the truth or is it sometimes better to tell a little white lie?
Tell the truth. Always.
JRR: What’s your signature dish?
Cheese on toast, ha ha – I leave the proper cooking to the other half!
JRR: Me too! My husband is the cook and I am the cleaner!
Buy Will to Live
Kobo
iBooks
*Will to Live will be available to buy on Amazon tomorrow*
Book Description:
Reputation is everything
When a packed commuter train runs over a body on a stretch of track known to locals as ‘Suicide Mile’, it soon transpires that the man was a victim of a calculated murder.
As the investigation evolves and a pattern of murders is uncovered, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter realises the railway’s recent reputation may be the work of a brutal serial killer.
With a backlog of cold cases to investigate and attempting to uncover who is behind a professional vendetta against her, Kay must keep one step ahead of both the killer and her own adversaries.
When a second murder takes place within a week of the first, she realises the killer’s timetable has changed, and she’s running out of time to stop him…
Will to Live is the second book in a new crime thriller series featuring Kay Hunter – a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future…
If you like Angela Marsons, Peter James and Robert Bryndza, discover the latest addition to Rachel Amphlett’s new series today.
About the Author:
Rachel Amphlett is the bestselling author of the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the new Detective Kay Hunter crime thriller series, as well as a number of standalone crime thrillers.
Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel’s novels appeal to a worldwide audience, and have been compared to Robert Ludlum, Lee Child and Michael Crichton.
She is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold, being sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in 2014.
An advocate for knowledge within the publishing industry, Rachel is always happy to share her experiences to a wider audience through her blogging and speaking engagements.
Contact Rachel:
Website
Facebook
Twitter @RachelAmphlett
WIN Will to Live
a Rafflecopter giveaway