TLater this month, we will be publishing the extremely exciting, Killer in the Crowd by P N Johnson. Given this, we thought it was high time the world found out more about the author. So, Phil kindly agreed and we subjected him to a grilling set of questions, which he answered in good humour – see the results below.
If you’d like to read more from Phil, find out when his next books will be released, and get updates about all of our books and authors, then you can sign up to the Burning Chair newsletter here: Burning Chair Readers Group. We promise never to spam you or pass on your email address to anyone else. You can opt-out at any time. Read our privacy policy here.
Q&A with P N Johnson
Tell us a bit about yourself – how did you start writing and why?
I’ve always loved broadcasting, communicating and telling stories. I did this by presenting a radio breakfast show, then producing programmes, reading news and reporting on TV. I also wrote comedy scripts for a BBC2 sketch show.
As my journalistic career progressed, I knew I wanted to write novels, to entertain an audience with fiction, which would offer escapism, excitement, and what I call, safe emotion – knowing however bad it looks, our heroes will always win in the end. Richard Curtis, whose films I admire, said that you have to fulfil your audiences expectations, and I want my readers to fear for, fall for and invest in my protagonists, knowing there’ll be rewarded with the outcome they’d want themselves – albeit with some surprises along the way.
With no spoilers, tell us a bit about Killer in the Crowd and what prompted you to write it
Killer in the Crowd was inspired by my experiences as a student working on the entertainments committee at Leicester University, as well as interviewing bands and artists as a reporter.
Imagine being an ordinary teacher with an unexciting life, except you have a secret – your mum was an outrageous punk princess, loved by millions, who vanished when you were just seven years old.
You’ve always felt lost, you’ve always wondered what happened to her? Was she dead? Or was she somehow still alive? Then, the man you believed was your estranged father, an old rocker, famed for drink and drugs, is murdered, and his death linked to your mum’s disappearance.
Suddenly the press announce you have a brother – an international American superstar, a man you meet, only to have your hopes dashed and insecurities raised. A man who turns your life and your emotions upside down, a man who makes you determined to find the truth. Risking everything, you lead your mum’s old band on tour, playing her part, desperate to elicit evidence and stories from fans to expose unsavoury secrets and find out what really happened to your mother, wherever it takes you and whatever the cost.
You’ve had an amazing career as a journalist – Did any of this form your inspiration for the story?
I’ve met and interviewed performers and found myself backstage before and after gigs, seeing the emotions and the effects of performing. As a former newsreader, I know what it’s like to have thousands of eyes on you, watching every move, and listening to every word, knowing you’d be remembered for a mistake not a success. Having worked on a lot of crime shows I’ve also met some bad guys and seen a little of the seedy side of life which has all helped me shape the story, but it’s the music which drives the novel. I’ve dedicated the book to songwriters and musicians, they provide the soundtrack to our lives. They can save us from our darkest thoughts, and make our most precious moments even more magical.
Is Cath Edgley – the main character in Killer in the Crowd – based on anyone you knew?
No, Cath just started to come alive in my head, almost telling me the story herself. I did an online course where they told us to really know our main characters – their first pet, favourite teacher, first record they bought etc and with Cath these were easy. I knew her very quickly. I really felt for her, and when I wrote the ending, I have to say I cried, tears of joy, and others have told me they were weepy too when they read it, but with a big smile on their faces.
Killer in the Crowd is set in the world of 80s punk music, who are your favourite bands of that era?
Wow! Almost all of them. I’ve always loved music from prog rock to chilled Ibiza. Every sound has it’s era and elicits memories and echoes of that time, but there’s always new music to listen to and enjoy. I was delighted when Steve Harley, a truly great performer and songwriter, reviewed the book and enjoyed it so much. His track ‘Sebastian’ is a timeless classic which will echo for ever. I suppose the answer to your question from that era would be The Pretenders, the Stranglers and The Jam, but Blondie and Duran Duran are never far! I’m a romantic, and the two standout songs from that period are “Will You?” by Hazel O’Conner and “Because the Night” by Patti Smith.
Tell us about you writing routine and where you tend to write
I start early and sometimes write for ten hours a day. If I get into the mind set of my characters then I’m hooked and just can’t stop. I always write with music on, with different playlists for different scenes.
How did you find the editing and publication process? (Don’t worry about hurting our feelings – we’ve got thick skins…!)
It’s like making a TV show or documentary, a second pair of eyes is vital, and I workshop my writing with a small group of authors. We comment on each other’s chapters, and say what does and doesn’t work. I also found a brilliant editor, Lynsey White, who gave me some great advice and suggestions which helped me get the stories over the line. I was about to go back to a couple of publishers who’d shown an interest when I saw Burning Chair’s website, and felt compelled to offer my work to them. I was so pleased with their enthusiasm and quick response – some publishers take nine months or a year. I also loved their input as editors. They made some fantastic suggestions which sharpened the story, whilst retaining my original plotlines and ideas. It’s vital you get on with, and appreciate the work your publishers do, and I feel Burning Chair is a great home for my novels.
What’s next in the pipeline for you?
“Run to the Blue” is due out this summer. It’s the story of a TV reporter whose secret filming sends down one of London’s biggest crime barons – but his family want revenge. On the day of the sentencing, the biggest moment in Tess’s life as an on screen star is taken away from her when her husband’s affair with a cabinet minister is splashed across the news. With her life in tatters she runs to the Greek islands with evidence which could bring down the government. Chased by killers and spies, she’s rescued by a mysterious American yachtsman – but who can Tess trust as her enemies close in? …..and there are more novels to come hopefully next year!
QUICK FIRE ROUND (One or two word answers only): …..
Plotter or pantser? Storyboard launchpad!
Sex Pistols or The Clash? Stranglers and Jam!
Pen or Keyboard? Handwriting illegible!
Character or Plot? Character driven
Early bird or night owl? Dawn dreamer
Crossword or Sudoko? Word search
Sausage or bacon? Veggie please
Asking questions or answering questions? Either, both
Thanks Phil. Killer in the Crowd is out in all good bookstores later this month and you can find out all about it by clicking here.
Until next time… Stay lucky – and stay safe…
Pete & Si
