insideKENT Magazine Issue 22 - January 2014 | Page 29

ARTS
CREATIVE KENT cont.

Carol Palmer
Where in Kent do you live?
Chilham.
Published Titles:
Penitence (2012)
Publisher(s):
Self-published e-book format for Kindle
Genre:
Historical / mystery novel.
When did you write your first book?
I have a full time job in education so Penitence
took me over two years to write before its
publication in 2012.
Tell us a little about that process.
I was inspired to write this novel after discovering
the monument dedicated to the little known 16th
century Marion Martyrs on the outskirts of
Canterbury. It struck me that this was an important
period of our history that not many people knew
about, yet it took place right here in Kent.

Neil Arnold
Where in Kent do you live?
I live in Rochester, but grew up in Chatham.
Published Titles:
Monster! The A-Z Of Zooform Phenomena (2007)
Mystery Animals of the British Isles: Kent (2009)
Mystery Animals of the British Isles: London (2011)
Paranormal Kent (2010)
Paranormal London (2010)
Haunted Rochester (2011)
Haunted Maidstone (2011)
Haunted Ashford (2011)
Haunted Chatham (2012)
Haunted Tunbridge Wells (2013)
Haunted Bromley (2013)
Shadows in the Sky: The Haunted Airways of Britain (2012)
Shadows on the Sea: The Maritime Mysteries of Britain (2013)
Kent Urban Legends (2013)

Publisher(s):
Monster!, and the 'Mystery Animals' titles were
published by CFZ Press, all of the others are
published by The History Press.
Genre:
Folklore.
When did you write your first book?
My first book, Monster! The A-Z Of Zooform
Phenomena, began life as a small article, before
being transformed into a self-published 100page booklet, and later a 400-page volume.
Tell us a little about that process.
Friends of mine told me that my idea of an A-Z
of obscure monsters book was a great proposal,
so once I'd completed a huge manuscript, they
were happy to publish it along with images and
a great cover.

Who or what inspires you when it comes to
writing?
Books by authors such as Kate Mosse and
Barbara Erskine. They inspired me to write a
book which combines history with paranormal
influences.

What's next?
I've just finished another book called Haunted
Isle of Sheppey and I'm currently writing a book
called Big Cats in Kent, based on my research
of some 30 years.
What's the dream?
For my books to always be available in years to
come, and for them to continue giving people
an idea about local folklore, whether they believe
in it or not.
What would be your number one tip for a
budding author?
Rely on your imagination, remain persistent and
never give up. If you're struggling to write a book
then start with small articles, and build up a
portfolio.

Who or what inspires you when it comes to
writing?
I've written unusual stories and had a passion
for folklore ever since I was a child. I like creepy
stories and was always inspired by the dark tales
of M.R. James and H.P. Lovecraft.

What's next for you?
I am currently researching my next novel which
is to be set in the marshes around Faversham,
where the smuggling trade was once rife.
What would be your number one tip for a
budding author?
Write about what interests you and don’t give
up. Today, you can publish your own material
and take pleasure in knowing that people are
buying and enjoying it.

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