Shaun Allan
Genre
Hard to say… weird? My book Sin is paranormal thriller/urban fantasy, but I also write horror, humour, science fiction and children’s. All are offbeat.
home town
Grimsby, UK. I’ve lived in a couple of other towns, but I always seem to come back to Grimsby.
home on the web
Website: http://www.shaunallan.co.uk
Blog (Diary of a madman, written from main character’s point of view): http://singularityspoint.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/shaunallan
Twitter: @singularityspnt
past material
I’ve written a number of short stories over the years, I ran an online magazine (about 15 years ago) and have two children’s books written – Zits’n’Bits and Rudolph Saves Christmas. I’ve also had various pieces of poetry published.
current project
My novel is called Sin, a paranormal thriller/urban fantasy that has been called ‘an incredible read,’ ‘a masterpiece of genuine creativity’ and ‘dark, disturbing and amazing.’ It has also been compared to Dean Koontz and Stephen King.
Sin just wants to be an ordinary guy, but, unfortunately, extraordinary things happen to him and those around him.
places where books are available for purchases
My stories and books are available from http://amzn.to/ShaunAllan, http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view and from my website at http://www.shaunallan.co.uk. Sin is available from http://amzn.to/SinEBUS and http://amzn.to/SinEBUK in eBook form, and autographed copies of both that and my children’s books are available from my website. You can also buy Sin from my publisher, Fantasy Island Book Publishers.
Interview questions
How did you get your start in writing?
I’ve been writing from being a small child, so I’m told. It’s always been in me, trying to get out. At school I thought I could write a book and did try – but it wasn’t very good and I didn’t complete it (thankfully). But I carried on writing and, hopefully improving! Sometimes I can go for periods where I don’t write a thing (either because of time or urge) then I have been known to write 15,000 words in a week – that was whilst on holiday in Egypt.
who are your biggest influences
I was influenced when younger by Asimov and Clarke, then my tastes changed to David Eddings and Terry Brooks, and my writing tended to follow suit. Now I read all sorts, particularly Stephen King and Dean Koontz, so I’m very pleased that Sin has been compared to these two greats.
What is your biggest inspiration when creating?
Everything. I get ideas from the simplest everyday occurrences. Sometimes I think I’m filing away that little snippet for later, but then forget – wishing I could scan through the files in my memory like a computer screen or dusty filing cabinet. Then, when I’m writing, odd bits will pop back into my mind.
Could you give us the details of your current project?
Sin is my main focus at the moment as it’s just out in print. I had my first book signing only a couple of weeks ago, in fact. It took ten years to write from its origins as a short story and, in reality, it’s still being written as Sin, the main character, has his own blog, written from his point of view as his diary from within his asylum.
I also have 40,000 words written on a children’s book called Puddlebrain about the youngest of three witches who lose their powers. Hopefully that’s nearly finished, and then I can concentrate on the sequel to Sin, which has already been started. It’s hard to keep up with myself sometimes!
What is the next goal you would like to achieve with your writing?
I’ve always dreamed of seeing my own book on the shelf of a bookstore and I’ve achieved that. Anything else is a bonus.
Final four (questions we ask all interviewees)
When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
Finishing my short story Zombies Are People Too! Either that or driving across America with a sheriff. Not sure how I’d get from the UK to the US though. Can zombies fly airplanes
Jedi, Ninja, vampire, were-wolf, pirate, fairy or Spartan?
A Ninja pirate Jedi! Although I think Yoda is almost there…
What one piece of art, be it music, book, film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
Hmmm… Music – Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars and Keane’s Perfect Symmetry. Love those. Film… I love films. My favourites are Highlander, Fifth Element, Green Mile, Shawshank, Empire of the Sun, the Back to the Future and Indiana Jones movies. Hard to pick one that’s a must (though I’m tempted by Marty McFly). I’m not an arty person so I can’t comment there, and as for books, I’d just like people to EXPERIENCE books. ANY book.
Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I’m an author. I actually had one man come into my office today surprised at that very fact! Some people think it’s a joke, some are impressed and some say ‘good for you’. A lot, actually, say ‘good for you’. There are those who just make fun, but of them, certain ones have never picked a book up in their life!
