I wrote a few short stories at school and a tv series at university but never got the chance to finish them, but it was only when I was in Ukraine that I decided I wanted to be a writer.
I had started to read a lot of spy thrillers and I realized that they all ignored Ukraine and the one or two that did mention Kyiv got the details wrong.
Tell us more about your background and journey.
After completing both of my degrees in the late 1990s I decided I wanted to work abroad. I took a job in Kyiv, Ukraine.
After completing both of my degrees in the late 1990s I decided I wanted to work abroad. I took a job in Kyiv, Ukraine.
It was there that I met my wife, on my first day in the country, (we got married seven years later and have now been together for almost 25 years) and I have been inspired to write about Ukraine and the region ever since.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I wrote a few short stories at school and a tv series at university but never got the chance to finish them, but it was only when I was in Ukraine that I decided I wanted to be a writer.
Interviewed by - Subham Biswas
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I wrote a few short stories at school and a tv series at university but never got the chance to finish them, but it was only when I was in Ukraine that I decided I wanted to be a writer.
I had started to read a lot of spy thrillers and I realised that they all ignored Ukraine, and the one or two that did mention Kyiv got the details wrong. I then decided that although I wasn’t an expert on espionage, I was an expert in Ukraine and so I’d write my own books.
My first book me twelve years to write, they take me a lot less time now.
Is it a financially stable career?
Writing is not a financially stable career at all because one never knows when or how a book will sell.
Is it a financially stable career?
Writing is not a financially stable career at all because one never knows when or how a book will sell.
I have been immensely lucky over the last few years to have a publisher, editor and agent who have helped me become more successful but even I don’t know what next month’s royalties will bring.
Who is your favourite writer and why?
I have quite a few favourite writers, and it’s impossible for me to choose between them. In the action & adventure genre, my favorites are: Lee Child, Stephen Leather, Mark Greaney, Tom Wood and Vince Flynn.
Who is your favourite writer and why?
I have quite a few favourite writers, and it’s impossible for me to choose between them. In the action & adventure genre, my favorites are: Lee Child, Stephen Leather, Mark Greaney, Tom Wood and Vince Flynn.
In crime fiction, my top two are Jake Needham and Jorn Lier Horst. However, there is a whole list of other writers whom I read and enjoy.
Where does your inspiration lie?
I generally become inspired by international issues and locations, but it’s the people behind the headlines that matter. Inspiration can strike at any time and come from anywhere, in fact, some of my best ideas have appeared seemingly from nowhere.
Where does your inspiration lie?
I generally become inspired by international issues and locations, but it’s the people behind the headlines that matter. Inspiration can strike at any time and come from anywhere, in fact, some of my best ideas have appeared seemingly from nowhere.
What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring writers?
Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t write Get your book written, even if it takes you years and it lives its life in a drawer.
Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t write Get your book written, even if it takes you years and it lives its life in a drawer.
Then once you’ve written your first book write your second, the process gets a little less daunting each time.
Which is your favourite book and why?
Perhaps I’m a little odd in the fact that I don’t have a favourite book? I’m always eager to read the latest book from my favourite authors and during the reading process that book normally becomes my favourite.
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Which is your favourite book and why?
Perhaps I’m a little odd in the fact that I don’t have a favourite book? I’m always eager to read the latest book from my favourite authors and during the reading process that book normally becomes my favourite.
Brief Bio:
ALEX SHAW spent the second half of the 1990s in Ukraine, teaching Drama and running his own business consultancy before being head-hunted for a division of Siemens. The next few years saw him doing business for the company across the former USSR, the Middle East, and Africa.
Alex is an active member of the ITW and the CWA. He is the author of the #1
International Kindle Bestselling 'Aidan Snow SAS thrillers' Cold Blood, Cold Black, Cold East, the Jack Tate thrillers Total Blackout and Total Fallout, and
the forthcoming Sophie Racine thriller Traitors.
Interviewed by - Subham Biswas
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