My name is Ewan Fraser. You might not know me yet, but I’m the author of “Manky Business”, a novel set in my favourite Eastern Scottish town: Edinburgh. Apparently, I also have a blog of some such. So, I thought I’d invite colleagues to talk about their writing. For the first episode, I thought I’d invite a double-barrelled anti-monarch who also happens to be a friend: Alexandre Allouch-Micati.
Here’s “chattin’ with Ewan”, episode 1.
Ewan: Hi, Alex!
Alex: Hi, Ewan! Can you hear me?
E: Aye! Loud and clear. For the sake of my lone listener (who happens to be my dear wife), why don’t you introduce yourself?
A: Greetings, Mrs. Fraser. So, as Ewan said, he and I are colleagues. But I feel that I’m a little more of a man on the run, to use such imagery. We both write mysteries, but mine are set all over the world. Well, almost. Probably, all over the Anglo-Saxon world.
E: Interesting....
A: Thank you, I suppose. Where was I? Oh, yeah. I write lots of novels and they’re mainly set in the UK, Canada and Norway. That’s for now.
E: Not a fan of the summer, are ye?
A: Nah. I prefer the rain. Sunny days can’t create puddles and can’t clean cars or windows.
E: That’s one of the reasons why Scottish roads are so pristine.
A: One day, I was in Scotland, a few years ago. I think it was around the time you were writing your first novel, “Manky Business”. I went there to work on my own novels. And the foggy blanket over Edinburgh felt like the perfect setting for a spy novel. Maybe one day.
E: You were in town and didn’t call?!
A: You were busy writing that story. I felt that you didn’t want to be disturbed.
E: I’m always in for a pint.
A: Lesson learned, for next time.
E: Excellent. Let’s start this, shall we?
A: No time like the present, as they say.
E: Exactly. So, what drove you to the mystery genre?
A: My bank account and my need for a free therapy.
E: Explain, please?
A: I grew up in a family where drama and intense conversations about boring shit were legion. So, I thought I needed to let them know that their exuberance was overpowering. And since it’s not an easy thing to say out loud, I thought I’d write that desire, on pieces of paper. And since therapy (and drinking!) is an expensive path to explore, why not write?
E: That’s a good reason. So, are all your characters based on your family?
A: Yes and no. They are, but I decided not to create each characters solely on one person. It’s as if people of flesh were statues of clay that helped me come up with fictional characters. I hope that’s clear.
E: I got the gist of it. And so did the missus. And do you solely write mystery novels?
A: I don’t. I mean, I have lots of fun writing them, but I thought I needed to broaden my horizons. In addition to the mystery novels, I have 2 works of literary fiction and a play on the go. And I might publish poetry books. But that’s still in the back burner part of my life plan.
E: You’ve mentioned it earlier, but I have to ask. What is your biggest source of pleasure, when it comes to writing?
A: That new story smell. It’s like being in your mind and wandered in a path you haven’t explored yet. That idea is a gigantic block of marble and you’re standing there, with your chisels. You might not ask this, but the second source of pleasure is seeing people enjoy my work. It’s a small victory.
E: And alternatively, what’s your biggest source of displeasure?
A: Ads on streaming sites (Laughs) and such things. One night, I got an ad for erectile dysfunction. I kid you not.
E: It must’ve taken a lot of balls to put that ad on the air.
A: (Laughs)
E: It’s a quick chat, because I need a drink. So, I have to ask: what’s in your pipeline?
A: Got a novel for later this year and one for next year. After that, I’ve got other novels to type, polish and launch. The hamster wheel never stops.
E: Thank you to my first guest on “Chattin’ with Ewan”: Alexandre Allouch-Micati. You can find his books on the link in his bio and you can often find him hovering over a glass of scotch in a pub. Whatever you do, do not approach. Unless you’ve got a drink handy.
This was rather ingenious, and a great way to introduce your book process to potential readers. I know you just wrote this, but it would make a good post on socials. You just need a good visual to pull people in to read. (Also, upload your profile pic here, too. And a banner. If you want help with the latter, let me know.)
I know you don't want to be on socials right now, but you should post this as a note here on Substack to get it in front of new readers and fellow writers.