David Makinson
Interview by Teresa Geering
Publication in the current writing world has gone on to a new dimension, and we look at the benefits of self publication through the eyes of author/musician, David Makinson
[TG] Firstly then David tell me a bit about your background in writing.
[DM] The majority of my writing has been professional rather than for pleasure, but no longer. I spent twenty-one years in Financial Services and wrote all of my client reports from scratch. In addition, I produced a biannual client newsletter for over ten years which I also branded and sold to several other firms with a circulation of around 4000 copies per publication. I sold my share of the partnership in June 2008, so that I could write the novel that had been burning within me for so long. It certainly won’t be the last. I also dabble in a little poetry when the mood takes me, but this is purely for personal consumption.
[TG] Your novel “Just a One Night Stand” is set in the sixties. What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?
[DM] First and foremost I wanted to explore and try to understand the social mores of the period into which I was born. The early to mid 1960s occupied a curious twilight between the conservatism of the 1950s and the well documented hedonism of the late 1960s. Second, as a former Barnardo’s boy with life-long heart issues, the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions have always flitted in and out of my consciousness. The combination of the social attitudes of the period and the ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions proved irresistible. As a history graduate, the research was the most fascinating part of the adventure. The big question was then; fiction or non-fiction? Fiction won easily as it allowed me the freedom to paint the picture precisely as I wanted it to look and to use the facts to create what I hope is an entertaining and thought provoking story. So, whilst circumstantially Just a One Night Stand echoes my own background, the characters within the novel are entirely fictitious. As Jeanette Winterton said on BBC Breakfast a couple of weeks ago when discussing Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, “when you are the story, you can change it.” She is spot on in my view.
[TG] David, now that you have self published your novel; do you have any regrets about going this route?
[DM] Good question, Tee. None whatsoever - apart from the lack of a juicy cheque, to keep my wife in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed. Seriously, though, I think the publishing world is changing and that the future is Print on Demand. The traditional publishers have, in my view, made some catastrophic errors in chasing the ‘celebrities’, doing new, talented writers a disservice in the process by pumping dwindling funds in the wrong direction. This process is denying many deserving writers the opportunity to develop their talent and earn a living wage. I also feel the process of sending endless printed manuscripts to agents and the pre-printing of books under the traditional publishing format both immoral and wasteful in 2010. The pulping figures are disgraceful – the industry’s guilty secret. What’s wrong with sending manuscripts by email and having books printed on demand i.e. when someone wants to buy one to actually read it?
My health circumstances also played a part in my decision to self-publish (I have an aortic aneurism and an implanted cardiac defibrillator ICD). I didn’t want to wait indefinitely for agents to reply just on the off-chance that I could land a publishing deal. I have faith in what I’ve done. If it’s good enough, it will stand up on its own merits, irrespective of the publishing method. In the meantime, I have the pleasure of seeing my work in print and something permanent to leave behind if things go pear-shaped.
I’ll hop off my soap-box now, Tee.
[TG] Have you anything more hiding in the pipeline or indeed ready to publish?
[DM] I am currently conducting research for my second novel. Based on true events, the book tells the captivating tale of a thirteen year old Scottish girl who emigrates to Australia with her labourer parents and three younger siblings – with tragic consequences but an inspirational outcome.
If all goes to plan, the book should be ready for publication by the end of 2011. I’m very excited about it.
[TG] When you’re not busy self publishing or writing, do you have time for any hobbies
or indeed reading other material?
[DM] I love reading. You can learn so much as a writer by reading other writer’s work. My favourite contemporary authors include Sebastian Faulks and Khalid Hosseini. Other than reading and writing, music is a big part of my life. My wife, Chris and I go to four or five live music events every year. I also play the keyboards for relaxation and to entertain (?) captive guests when they come to dinner. My other passions are wine, cricket and, when time allows, relaxing at our apartment in Portugal.
[TG] Summing up then David, what are your future plans now?
Has anything exciting happened of late?
[DM] You mean other than seeing my first novel in print – for me an event second only to the birth of my son. I want to keep the momentum going with Just a One Night Stand. My local independent bookshop has agreed to stock it and word of mouth sales are going well so far, but persistence is the key here – I guess that only time will tell, but I remain highly optimistic. As for the future, I can’t wait to complete the second novel, which really excites me. I hope eventually to be able to financially support myself through writing novels alone, but in the meantime I am setting myself up as a freelance copywriter and editor to help oil the wheels.
[TG] At Struggling Authors we always try to include a competition with the interview. The question usually relates to the novel, in this case “Just a One Night Stand”.
Have you any thoughts on this? The idea is for everyone to look at the interview, or your novel from the links we provide.
[DM] That sounds good to me. ‘What is the name of the café owner in Exeter?’
[TG] As I’m never backward in coming forward would it be cheeky if we asked for a signed copy of your book as a prize?
[DM] If you don’t ask, you won’t get. It would be my pleasure, Tee.
[TG] Many thanks for your time, David.
[DM] Again, it’s been my pleasure.
David Makinson links
David's website can be found here > http://davidmakinson.com/ You can buy a copy of his book direct from his site or
You can purchase Just a One Night Stand as an eBook here