Author Archives: simondillon

Uncle Flynn Revisited – Influences and Inspirations

Posted on by

Over the next few months, I’m highlighting some of my earlier novels. This month, continuing my series on treasure hunt adventure Uncle Flynn, here are some key books and films that influenced or inspired parts of the novel.

Treasure-IslandTreasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson) – The granddaddy of all treasure hunt adventures, the influence of this classic could hardly be overlooked. In particular, the character of Long John Silver and his relationship with Jim is a key inspiration. Silver is a compelling character, but he is dangerous, and you are never quite sure whose side he is on, or if he will suddenly turn on Jim. There are hints of this danger in the relationship between Max and Flynn in my novel.

nintchdbpict000106548352Five On A Treasure Island (Enid Blyton) – I’m a big fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. Whilst Five Go To Smuggler’s Top is my absolute favourite, this initial entry is also a cracking tale of children finding the treasure of local legend. It also illustrates one of the key principles of a great treasure hunt narrative (whether aimed at adults or children), in that the discovery of the treasure is ultimately and ironically secondary to obtaining something of even greater value – in this case, lasting friendship between the children, and the restoration of relationship between George and her parents. In my book, the treasure is important, but the restored relationship between Max and his father is the much greater prize.

2356417Pigeon Post (Arthur Ransome) – Arthur Ransome’s superb Swallows and Amazons series are shamefully neglected by many these days. They normally concern boating adventures, but in this instalment, our heroes go prospecting for gold in the Lake District, whilst dodging the attention of a rival prospector. Other books in this series are more famous, but I always had a soft spot for this one. Peter Duck was another Ransome influence, incidentally.

IMG_0429The Goonies – A gang of children follow a map to buried treasure to save their neighbourhood from being torn down by smug property developers who want to build a golf course. Yes, it’s all rather noisy and obnoxious, but for children of a certain age (ie my age), this film can do no wrong. Packed with maps, cryptic clues, secret passages, booby traps, villainous rival treasure hunters, and so on, this is an obvious influence on my book that it would disingenuous to ignore.

IMG_7214Mary Poppins – The Disney film rather than the PL Travers’s novels are the inspiration here. Mr Banks routinely ignores his children (and to be fair, so does Mrs Banks). The magical Mary Poppins then appears, taking the children on extraordinary adventures whilst work drives Mr Banks to a nervous breakdown. However, upon realising what is important in life, Mr (and Mrs) Banks then are reunited with their children – at which point Poppins exits stage right. This theme is echoed in Uncle Flynn, with the establishment of the estranged relationship between Max and his father, which then gives way to adventures with Flynn, ahead of the big twist in the finale.

Uncle Flynn is available on Kindle and in paperback here. Another article about it will appear next week.

Uncle Flynn Revisited – Locations and Local History

Posted on by

Uncle Flynn_CoverOver the next few months, I’m highlighting some of my earlier novels. This month, continuing my series on treasure hunt adventure Uncle Flynn, here are some details about the locations and local history that informed the text.

The novel was initially inspired by the many walks I had taken with my eldest son on Dartmoor. We had visited several memorable locations, including Cater’s Beam, Sherberton Stone Circle, the “Crock of Gold” Bronze Age tomb, and Wistman’s Wood. These all turn up in the novel, even if I am somewhat liberal with the geography.

It might surprise readers to discover that some of the dangers faced on Dartmoor by the characters in the novel are not entirely fictional. There are deadly mires, especially the notorious Fox Tor mire and Raybarrow Pool. In addition, there are wild boar in the west (now documented fact). There have also been several panther sightings in the area, though most of these were on Exmoor rather than Dartmoor. The sheer number of these (and a few dubious photographs) raise eyebrows on a regular basis, although how they got there is a mystery. Some suggest that the UK Dangerous Pets Act in the 1970s caused eccentrics who owned big cats to turn them loose, and that they somehow bred in the wild. And yes – you can see adders on the moors at warmer times of year, though they typically slither away if you get anywhere near them.

p05w2g4gBuckfast Abbey was another key location used in the book. Much of the history of the abbey works its way into the novel, especially regarding how Henry VIII burned priceless Catholic books, closed the abbey, and had its gold and other treasures transferred to London. William Petre, who is mentioned in the novel, oversaw this process. He later retired in the south-west, purchasing a couple of manors. Uncle Flynn moves beyond these facts to suggest William Petre had other motives for returning, namely that he had become obsessed with tracking down the treasure hidden by a few clever monks that had slipped through his fingers.

I always enjoy combining local history with fiction in my writing, and Uncle Flynn is a very good example of this. To find out more about the story in the novel, click here.

Uncle Flynn is available on Kindle and in paperback here. There will be more articles about this novel throughout the month.

Uncle Flynn Revisited – An Introduction

Posted on by

Uncle Flynn_CoverI’ve decided to revisit some of my earlier novels in a series of articles this year, with a monthly spotlight on some of these works. To begin with, for the month of February, I’m putting the spotlight on Uncle Flynn.

Uncle Flynn was in fact the eighth novel I wrote, but was the first I decided to self-publish. Having been turned down by agents and publishers, my brother-in-law suggested this thing called Kindle on Amazon, and I decided to give it a go. The book was a modest success, and received some very good reviews – although I’m sure the fact that it was free at that time helped.

A treasure hunt adventure story for children, the novel is, like all my children’s books, also aimed at adult readers. The story concerns eleven-year old Max, a boy who suffers from crippling phobias and anxiety. Estranged from his workaholic father, Max’s life gets interesting one day when his mysterious uncle Flynn – an archaeologist normally working in South America – comes to visit.

During his stay, Max and Flynn discover clues pertaining to a local legend – a treasure buried on Dartmoor by monks, during the sacking of Buckfast Abbey at the time of Henry VIII. Following these clues lead to the discovery of a map. Max begins to put aside his many fears and hang-ups due to his obsession with finding the treasure. Flynn is equally obsessed, despite the dangerous presence of rival treasure hunters.

Complicating matters even further, once they set off across Dartmoor, Max discovers the police are on their trail. What has his uncle done to put himself at odds with the law? Flynn urges Max to help him evade his pursuers. Because he is so desperate to beat their rivals to the treasure, Max agrees, despite his uncle’s refusal to tell him why he is on the run.

I hope that has whetted your appetite.

Uncle Flynn is available on Kindle and in paperback here. There will be more articles about this novel throughout the month.

Phantom Audition: Recent Interviews

Posted on by

PHANTOM AUDITIONI’ve recently been interviewed on a number of blogs, mainly to promote my latest gothic mystery novel Phantom Audition, but also to discuss my writing in general. Here are some of those interviews.

The Dark Phantom

What do you love most about being an author?

“There is also no better feeling in the world than knowing you’ve delivered a gripping, thrilling, scary, surprising, satisfying, moving, and transcendent narrative to a reader.”

Click here to read the full interview.

As the Page Turns

What kind of advice would you give other gothic horror/thriller authors?

“This may seem like odd advice considering the genre, but don’t try too hard to scare people – at least not at first. You want to draw them in, lulling them into the narrative, seducing them into your world… until they cannot escape.”

Click here to read the full interview.

Blogging Authors

Do you outline or are you a pantster?

“I’m a control freak and outline everything. I won’t start a novel unless I have an ending I think is amazing. Then I work backwards from that point.”

Click here to read the full interview.

The Writer’s Life

What message are you trying to get across with your book?

“I’m not a fan of consciously trying to for a “message” into my novels in a sordid, self-important way. Grinding the social, religious, or political axe is for preachers, politicians, activists, and so on – not authors writing spooky mysteries. I greatly dislike being preached at in fiction, and am increasingly intolerant of it, the older and warier I get.”

Click here to read the full interview.

STOP PRESS: My most recent interview is on fellow author Andre Carter’s blog here.

Happy New Year!

Posted on by

Happy New Year!

2020-investment-choices-article-v2After an exceptionally busy 2019, I plan to take things a little easier this year. I very much doubt I will release any new material (either through publishers, or self-publishing) but whilst that might sound disappointing, it’s a necessary reaction to the last year or so, which featured the release of three novels – Spectre of Springwell Forest, The Irresistible Summons, and Phantom Audition – as well as the short story Papercut, part of the First Love anthology.

So no, I probably won’t have anything new out this year (although I’m not ruling that out entirely). But that doesn’t mean I won’t be writing constantly. For a start, there will be the usual ongoing articles and updates on the blog, but more importantly I’ll be writing one, possibly two, new novels.

The first of these is another gothic mystery that falls neatly into my usual psychological/supernatural horror/thriller spectrum. Unusually for me (in this genre at least), it will feature a male protagonist. The story explores a number of universally relatable themes; for instance, difficult and traumatic sibling relationships, and fears that parents have about their children as they grow up. With a gripping, spooky and sinister mystery at its core, the novel will be a must for anyone who has enjoyed my earlier novels of this kind, and I can’t wait for people’s reactions to the ending. What else can I tell you? It’s set in Oxford and the South-West, and the title is… no, I’m hanging on to that information for now.

The second novel I might tackle this year is one I’ve only just started to outline. It’s a dark, dystopian fairy tale, probably aimed at older children/young adults, based on a very strange, vivid dream I had last year. When relaying said dream to one of my colleagues, the colleague in question insisted the premise was so good that I write a novel based on it, or else she would! I hope I can live up to her expectations.

Last year I had planned to finish my long-awaited science fiction anthology, which has evolved into a collection of stories varying between novella and short story in length. There are seven in total, but due to how busy I was last year, I only wrote two – one novella, and one short story. I will attempt to revisit this project later in the year, if I get the time, as I really do want to write the remaining stories I have outlined.

Elsewhere, I am revisiting a number of older manuscripts – mostly in the fantasy genre – in an attempt to get them up to scratch to potentially show agents/publishers. I’m not sure what my next move will be in that arena, but as ever I’ll keep you updated on the blog. Watch this space.

2019 In Review

Posted on by

2019 has been an extremely busy year for me, and I am very pleased to have released a number of novels and shorter pieces.

Novels

Two more of my gothic mystery horror thrillers were released: The Irresistible Summons, which erred much more on the horror side, and Phantom Audition, which was more on the thriller side. Both feature nail-biting, page-turning spooky shenanigans, and were very well received. If you’re interested in picking up a copy as a Christmas present (or to read yourself) click here for The Irresistible Summons and here for Phantom Audition.

Shorts

Also this year, my short story Papercut was included in romantic fantasy anthology First Love, also published by Dragon Soul Press. Furthermore, three of my “Drabbles” (micro-fiction of exactly 100 words) were published by Blood Song Books anthology Curses & Cauldrons. These anthologies have also been very well reviewed. Check them out here and here, respectively.

Works in progress

Of the above works, Phantom Audition was a novel I wrote early in the year, and that was fast-tracked for publication. Compared with other years, I have written less than usual, outside of that, but there are still a number of short stories, and one novella, waiting in the wings. Indeed, delving into shorter works has been an agreeable change of pace for me, and the total word count of the above almost amounts to the equivalent of another novel. So I’ve not been that lazy.

On the blog

As ever, I’ve enjoyed covering lots of different topics on the blog. I love to write on subjects I am passionate about, and hopefully spark some discussion. You might have missed some of these, or want to re-read them, so here are three of my favourites.

Never Surrender to the Professionally Offended: A Rallying Cry for Authors

Uses and Abuses of Inner Monologue

Why Spoiler Awareness is Important

The Tangent Tree

Series three of The Tangent Tree – the film podcast I co-host with Samantha Stephen – is about to begin next week. Series two appeared earlier in the year. You can catch up on all episodes at the Tangent Tree website here – or listen on iTunes, Spotify, Podcast Addict and so on.

There have been many people who helped and supported me this year, sometimes through difficult things.

You know who you are.

Thank you.

Phantom Audition: Summary of Articles

Posted on by

PHANTOM AUDITIONHere’s a one-stop-shop with links to all you need to know about my latest gothic mystery thriller, Phantom Audition.

Here’s the blurb from the back of the book:

He buried himself in a part, but never returned. Now she wants to know why.

Small-time actress Mia Yardley, recently widowed wife of renowned actor Steven Yardley, discovers her late husband’s secret acting diary.

The diary details appointments made with a psychic medium, who advised Steven on which roles to take. It also raises questions about his mysterious and inexplicable suicide.

Seeking answers, Mia speaks to the medium, but in doing so is drawn into an ever- deepening mystery about what happened to her husband during the final days of his life. Eventually, she is forced to ask the terrible question: was Steven Yardley murdered by a vengeful evil from beyond the grave?

Want to know more? Here are some blog articles that may be of interest:

The Cover – I love the cover for Phantom Audition. Here’s a nice high-res version.

Seven Cryptic Images – Images and clues to tease the plot. No spoilers.

Inspirations and Influences – What books, films, and plays informed Phantom Audition?

Settings, Research, and Revisions – Jacobean mansions, priest holes, the film industry, critical rewrites, and more…

Initial Reviews – Highlights from the very positive feedback received so far for Phantom Audition.

The Tangent Tree Interview – I talked about the novel with Samantha Stephen from The Tangent Tree podcast.

Phantom Audition is published by Dragon Soul Press, and is out now. Paperbacks or Kindle downloads can be ordered here.

Christmas Presents: The One-Offs

Posted on by

Looking for the perfect Christmas present for that difficult relative? Why not give them a book this year? To be more specific, why not give them one of my books?

In this, the final of three articles, here’s a look at two of my novels that are one-offs. I don’t write teenage romantic drama, but I did write Love vs Honour as I couldn’t get the story out of my head. Although it begins as a romance, the story contains many of the themes present in my other novels – religious oppression, abuse of power and so on – and this is a much darker tale than it first appears.

In the case of Children of the Folded Valley, it’s a dystopian tale of about a man looking back on his life growing up in a cult, but with a sci-fi twist. It is also by far my most successful novel (to date).

Here’s is the blurb from the back of each novel:

LvsHonour 1600 x 2400Love vs Honour

Two Religions. Two Deceptions. One Love.

When Johnny meets and falls in love with Sabina, their bond proves stronger than a teenage holiday fling.

Fearing the disapproval of their strict Christian and Islamic families, they undertake an elaborate deception to continue seeing one another. Johnny pretends to convert to Islam whilst Sabina pretends to covert to Christianity to appease their parents.

But how long can this deception last before it unravels?

Click here to order Love vs Honour.

Folded Valley coverChildren of the Folded Valley

During a journey to visit his estranged sister, James Harper recalls his childhood in amysterious valley cut off from the outside world, where he grew up as part of a cult called the Folded Valley Fellowship.

In this seemingly idyllic world, the charismatic Benjamin Smiley claimed to be protecting his followers from an impending nuclear apocalypse.

But the valley concealed a terrifying secret.

A secret that would change Smiley’s followers forever.

Click here to order Children of the Folded Valley.

Christmas Presents: Children’s Novels

Posted on by

Looking for the perfect Christmas present for that difficult relative? Why not give them a book this year? To be more specific, why not give them one of my books?

In this second of three articles, this post explores my children’s novels. Yes, I don’t just write gothic mystery horror thrillers. I have also dabbled in children’s adventures, mainly aimed at the Harry Potter/Alex Rider demographic. Most of these novels were written for my children, often at their request (Echo and the White Howl was penned for my youngest for instance, who wanted a story about wolves). But these stories aren’t just for children. They are for the young and young at heart, often tackling themes and ideas that are just as incisive for the adult reader.

Here’s is the blurb from the back of each novel:

Uncle Flynn_CoverUncle Flynn

When timid eleven year old Max Bradley embarks on a hunt for buried treasure on Dartmoor with his mysterious Uncle Flynn, he discovers he is braver than he thought.

Together they decipher clues, find a hidden map and explore secret tunnels in their search.

But with both police and rival treasure hunters on their tail, Max begins to wonder if his uncle is all he seems…

Click here to order Uncle Flynn.

DrGibbles_1600x2400_front coverDr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge

September 1987.

Curiosity lands Tim Rawling in a world of secrets, spies and a desperate race against time.

The haunted house, the monster and the mad scientist are only the beginning of a terrifying adventure…

Click here to order Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge.

Echo and the White Howl Cover 10 (FINAL)Echo and the White Howl

When a wolf pack discovers humans lurking near their territory, Echo senses dark times ahead.

Despite the warnings and omens, Aatag, the pack Alpha, refuses to flee… leading to a cruel turn of events that forces Echo into exile, and a quest for revenge that will change the pack forever.

Click here to order Echo and the White Howl.

 

B17Kak0+TOS._SL250_FMpng_George Hughes Trilogy (comprising George goes to Mars, George goes to Titan, George goes to Neptune)

From the back of George goes to Mars:

When George Hughes discovers he has inherited the planet Mars, he goes from poverty to becoming the richest boy on Earth overnight.

Accompanied by his new guardian, a mysterious secret agent, and a crew of astronauts, George voyages to Mars to sell land to celebrities wanting to build interplanetary homes.

But sabotage, assassination attempts and an alien threat plunge him into a deadly adventure.

Click here to order the George Hughes Trilogy.

Christmas Presents: The Spooky Quintet

Posted on by

Looking for the perfect Christmas present for that difficult relative? Why not give them a book this year? To be more specific, why not give them one of my books?

In the first of three articles, this post explores the gothic mystery horror/thriller offerings from yours truly. Incredibly, none of these five novels – which I refer to as my “Spooky Quintet” – have had a single bad review. Check out Amazon or Goodreads, and you will see they are all raves. Also, if you’re worried about how scary these might be, some are more at the thriller end of the gothic mystery spectrum, and some more at the horror end. However, they are all page-turningly gripping, and full of suspense. For more information about the scariness factor in each, click here.

Here’s is the blurb from the back of each novel:

The Birds Began to Sing_1600x2400_Front CoverThe Birds Began to Sing

When aspiring novelist Alice Darnell enters a competition to write the ending for an unfinished manuscript by late, world famous author Sasha Hawkins, it appears she might have her big break at last.

However, upon arrival at Sasha’s former home – the sinister Blackwood House – Alice is unsettled by peculiar competition rules, mysterious dreams and inexplicable ghostly visions. She begins to question her sanity as she is drawn into a terrifying web of deceit, revenge and murder.

Click here to order The Birds Began to Sing.

THE THISTLEWOOD CURSE Cover (JPG Print version)The Thistlewood Curse

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

Click here to order The Thistlewood Curse.

SSF coverSpectre of Springwell Forest

Lily Henderson has a horrifying secret buried far in her past. She hoped it would never be revealed. Now she has no choice.

To save her family, Lily must keep them from returning to the village of Springwell, where she lived with her first husband and young daughter decades previously.

In the past, after moving to Springwell, Lily encounters secretive locals, government scientists, and rumours of a ghost haunting the forest.

Are they linked to the mysterious deaths of local children? Do paintings by a local artist predict when tragic events are getting closer? Will Lily’s daughter be next?

“Two were taken. More will follow.”

Click here to order Spectre of Springwell Forest.

Simon Dillon - Irresistible Summons full resThe Irresistible Summons

How far would you go to bring your loved one back from the dead?

Television producer Naomi Levinson makes documentaries debunking the supernatural.

When asked to film a promotional video for computer game company Persephone, she considers the task beneath her talents. But as production gets underway at the Persephone office block on London’s Canary Wharf, a mysterious disappearance, ghostly sightings, and lingering tragedy from Naomi’s past lead her to believe she might have stumbled into a genuine haunting.

As Naomi continues to investigate, past and present collide in a horrifying conspiracy. Cutting edge technology and ancient evil meet, leading to the discovery of a shocking and terrifying secret that could change the nature of life and death as we know it.

Click here to order The Irresistible Summons.

PHANTOM AUDITIONPhantom Audition

He buried himself in a part, but never returned. Now she wants to know why.

Small-time actress Mia Yardley, recently widowed wife of renowned actor Steven Yardley, discovers her late husband’s secret acting diary.

The diary details appointments made with a psychic medium, who advised Steven on which roles to take. It also raises questions about his mysterious and inexplicable suicide.

Seeking answers, Mia speaks to the medium, but in doing so is drawn into an ever- deepening mystery about what happened to her husband during the final days of his life. Eventually, she is forced to ask the terrible question: was Steven Yardley murdered by a vengeful evil from beyond the grave?

Click here to order Phantom Audition