John Witherden

John was born in 1951 and has lived most of his life in various Sussex towns, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Pyecombe, Uckfield, Worth as well as two short spells abroad in Australia and New Zealand and now resides in Hove. In his professional life he has spent most of his working life in the printing and allied industries before a turbulent time becoming involved in various small enterprises including hot tub sales, tropical fish, holiday flat rentals, charity supplies, long distance taxi driver and is now involved in a mailing and marketing support business. long distance taxi driver to support his writing. He is divorced and has four adult children, two sons and two daughters all whom are cleverer and more talented than him. John started writing ten years ago, first by entering a few competitions, then moving on to radio plays before trying a novel whereupon he became hooked and wished he had begun to do it many years ago. At present he has written three books of the Brothers of the Sword series that follows Harry Woods and his family when a religious dictatorship controls Britain; a quirky comedic novel called Silly Devils about when an inept Devil comes to Sussex and has now become interested in long short stories and to date has written three .

Credentials

John Witherden in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

2006 Burgess Hill, Sussex

What do you love about Short Stories?

They are quicker to write than novels and you don't get bored

Do you write in other forms?

Novels

What distracts you from writing?

Having to earn a living

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Americana especially 1950s cars and the incredible customising that is done to them

What is your favourite book?

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Who are your favourite writers?

Len Deighton, Terry Pratchett and Frank Herbert

Where is your dream location?

New Zealand

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Rudeness

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Ignore all advice, don't think, just do it.