I’m pleased to welcome fellow #RRBC author, Steven Neil here today.
Q & A FIVE
Getting to know Steven Neil, the author of THE MEREST LOSS.
A story of love and political intrigue, set against the backdrop of the English hunting shires and the streets of Victorian London and post-revolutionary Paris.
Reading Habits
Authors are often told that the best way to learn is to read. Do you agree?
I couldn’t agree more.
- What do you prefer to read now?
I try to keep a balance of classic and contemporary. I love the nineteenth century English tradition, especially Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen and the twentieth century American tradition, especially Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Steinbeck. I’ve recently enjoyed books by Tim Pears and William Boyd.
- How do you read (kindle/book/audible)?
All three. I have recently discovered audible books and I am using my monthly credits to revisit the Barchester Chronicles by Anthony Trollope. The writing is quite brilliant. Trollope is such a witty observational writer and Timothy West, the narrator, does a great job in bringing the characters to life. Recommended.
- When do you read?
All the time. One of the benefits of being retired.
- Has becoming an author changed the way you read?
I’m probably more critical. I’m much less likely to persevere with a book I’m not enjoying. This also might have something to do with getting older and realising you only have a limited number of books left to read!
- Do you post reviews for books and if so, do you have a review policy?
Yes, I always try to write a review. However, if I really don’t like a book and could only honestly give it one or two stars, I don’t post a review. However bad it is, someone has put blood sweat and tears into it and I think it is disrespectful to another author.
- What is the best book you have read recently?
Alexandre Dumas: The Count of Monte Cristo. Genius.
- How do you choose which books to read?
Audible bombards me with suggestions all the time. I’m more likely to respond to a friend’s recommendation. I also have a list of classics I’ve not got round to reading. Some of these age well, others don’t. I thought Dracula was terrific but found Frankenstein hard work. I’ll skip the review on that one.
- Which lesser known author would you recommend?
I would recommend two. One older and one more contemporary. I think Norman Maclean’s great book A River Runs Through It is rather overlooked these days and Jon McGregor’s If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things has slipped under the radar. It is a fantastic book.
- Do you have a favourite book?
Alain-Fournier: Le Grand Meaulnes. Sigh.
© Steven Neil
THE MEREST LOSS is available in paperback and eBook in the UK, US, France, Canada and Australia.
Follow Steven Neil on TWITTER for information on how to purchase the paperback through an independent bookseller in the UK.
4Wills Blog Tour
Book
The Merest Loss by Steven Neil ISBN: 1788039718
Blurb
‘A story of love and political intrigue, set against the backdrop of the English hunting shires and the streets of Victorian London and post-revolutionary Paris.
When Harriet Howard becomes Louis Napoleon’s mistress and financial backer and appears at his side in Paris in 1848, it is as if she has emerged from nowhere. How did the English daughter of a Norfolk boot-maker meet the future Emperor? Who is the mysterious Nicholas Sly and what is his hold over Harriet?
Can Harriet meet her obligations and return to her former life and the man she left behind? What is her involvement with British Government secret services? Can Harriet’s friend, jockey Tom Olliver, help her son Martin solve his own mystery: the identity of his father?’
Genres
Historical Fiction and Victorian Historical Romance
Bio
Steven has a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University and an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes University. He has been a bookmaker’s clerk, bloodstock agent, racehorse breeder and management consultant amongst other professions in his varied career. He is married and lives in rural Northamptonshire, England. The Merest Loss is his debut novel.
Email: stevenneil1@aol.com
I loved meeting Stephen, Denise. I also like audible and am a great lover of the classics. I have The Count of MOnte Cristo on my audible TBR. I also loved Dracula but didn’t finish Frankenstein.
I love the classics, too, Robbie, but I’ve never listened to a book. If I drove more it would come in very handy:)
Great to meet you too! There are a few versions of The Count of Monte Cristo on Audible. I highly recommend the one read by Bill Homewood. He perfectly captures the persona of The Count.
Fantastic Q&A. Best wishes to you, Steven.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Happy to host, Beem. Thanks for dropping by!
I loved the Q and A and look forward tor reading The Merest Loss. All the best to you, Steven.
I look forward to reading this, too, Gwen:) Thanks for stopping by!
Enjoyed the Q & A with Steen. Thanks, Denise.
It was. I learned a lot
Thanks, John:)
Looks like I left out a “v” in Steven’s name. Sorry.
I love this interview!! Steven’s answers are great! And I wholeheartedly agree with many of his answers. An author who does not read cannot write well, and I believe that with all my heart! Thank you for hosting today, Denise!
It’s so true, Jan. You can’t be a good writer if you don’t read!
I’m always happy to host:)
I enjoyed the Q&A session with Steven. I’m looking forward to reading The Merest Loss. Thanks for hosting Steven today, Denise.
I’m looking forward to reading it, too, Soooz. I was happy to host Steven.
Hi Steven. Nice tour.
Hi Denise and always great to see you.
Hi Shirley:) Thank you. It’s always good to see you, too!
Nice to know more about Steven. Thanks for sharing this interview Denise.
I listened to a couple audio, but the accent different than the American English was distractive. I don’t listen enough to worth the subscription.
Good to see you here, Steven. Thank you for hosting, Denise.
I’ve never tried listening to a book, yet. I will have to try it and see how I feel about it.
Always, happy to host, Miriam. Thanks for stopping by.
You’re welcome, Denise. Amazon offered a free trail with two credits. So I listened to two audiobooks.
Yes, I agree reading time is precious!
It sure is, Wendy:) Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks for hosting, Denise. Thanks also to the bloggers and commenters who have engaged with the blog. It is great to read so many comments. This is the last stop of seven on part two of the blog tour but there are another seven stops coming up 1-7 December. Hope to see you there!
Happy to have you here, Steven:) I look forward to reading your book.
I’ve watched the movie for A River Runs Through It and loved it. I’m not much into the classics, but I can appreciate some of their stories. 🙂
If you loved the film you will enjoy the book. The last two paragraphs are two of the most beautifully written paragraphs in literature, ending ‘I am haunted by waters.’
I will have to check it out. 🙂
I read the book and loved the movie. I’ve been in the mood to watch the movie again.
Fascinating Q & A! I enjoyed learning more about Steven. I’ve read The Count of Monte Cristo and loved it. I enjoyed Dracula as well. Thanks for hosting, Denise! <3
Those are two books I’d like to reread, Vashti. Always happy to host…thanks for dropping by:) Hugs.
Always a pleasure to visit your blog, my friend. 😀 xo
Good interview. Love your answer to when do you read–me too!
That was a good answer, wasn’t it Jacqui!
I enjoyed the interview with Steven, Denise. The book sounds like a winner too. Hugs on the wing!
Thanks, Teagan. It does sound like a good read:) Hugs right back!
The ‘Merest Lost’ was a fantastic book, thanks for sharing, Denise.
Thanks, Mark! I can’t wait to read it.