How long have you been writing for? 
35 years
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?
Combating the fear that what ends up on paper isn’t a perfect replication of one’s most creative thoughts.
What genre do you generally write?
Comedy
Do you have a favourite author and why?
Jerome K Jerome, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce and P.G. Wodehouse. I admire any writer who can create comedy in a seemingly natural, effortless fashion.
What is your book called and how did you choose this title?
Synopsis:
A computer programme sets about the task of correcting an historical typo, investigating, along the way, what life would’ve been like had Florence Nightingale never existed, or been born in another century, or been renowned as a vehicle movement prohibitor rather than the pioneer of modern nursing. In an attempt to set her upon the right path holograms of Peter Brough with Archie Andrews, Harry Houdini and Donald Campbell are sent back in time to 1844 with varying success.
Has your book been published and how did you go about this?
Self-Published on Amazon Kindle.
Approximately how long did it take you to finish your book?
About 6 months.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Believe in yourself and never give up.
Do you use social media to promote your book? If yes, then which social networks do you like the most?
WordPress blog.
What other ways do you market your book/s?
I have had humorous histories of my city, Bristol, published in local magazines, and newspapers and featured on local radio. I’ve also had comedy histories of the football clubs in my area appear in their football programmes.
Have you enrolled your book onto Amazon’s KDP Select and how have you found it?
Yes. Any avenue that assists in bringing my work to a wider audience is worth venturing down.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t have taken myself so seriously at the outset of my writing. For the first ten years I concentrated upon writing novels and short stories devoid of the humour I have always had a natural talent in creating. I have made greater strides since focusing upon what I do best.
What books do you like to read in your spare time?
Sports, history, historical novels such as the Shardlake series.
What do you feel is the most important stage of writing a book?
Creating the bare bones that will carry you from start to finish. The flesh can be added later.
How did you go about designing the cover for your book?
The first four books in this series were designed by a cartoonist I found online. The covers of the next two were created by my brother who is an artist.
Are you writing or considering writing a follow-up to your book?
Yes. Florence Nightingale: The Lady With The Clamp is the sixth book in the series. This followed: The Bee-Hooded Sir Walter Raleigh, Brunel The Fridge Builder, Warwick The Ringmaker, Nelson & The Bottle of Tagged Lager and Boudicca Queen of the Ancient Grits.
Do you have a day job (if so, what do you do?) or do you write full-time?
I write part-time. I work in the sports coaching and organising industry on a semi-professional basis.
Anything else you’d like to include?
Yes, at night, freed from the constraints of daytime living, your brain can produce some wonderfully imaginative output. Unfortunately, it is often forgotten upon waking. So take a pen to bed with you…but on no account marry it!
Check out Jonty’s new book, Florence Nightingale: The Lady With The Clamp
