Tom Bridge, author of The Mystery of Gogarth Abbey, released his new book in November 2017. We wanted to catch up with him before the end of the year and see how things had changed for him since becoming an established author.

Did you always dream of becoming an author?

Ever since I started to have story ideas in my head, I have wanted to share them with everyone. I started an idea in my teens, and then wrote and self-published The Watcher in 2010. This gave me the writing bug and the idea for The Mystery of Gogarth Abbey came about, and it has now put me at the start of what I hope will be a great writing career!

What was your first job?

My first job was at school, laying tables in a restaurant, and then I left school and did property repairs for a year until I went into the RAF.

How did you come about writing your book? Was that your intention or did you start writing for fun?

I came across the idea from an event in my past, and thought it would make a great story, so I started to write it and as I got into it, I knew it would make for a great story and a good start for a mystery series.

What was your life like before you became an author?

It was very good, a few ups and downs and I have always worked hard, predominately in sales and marketing. So, life was good, but now I have the first novel under my belt, it has given me a new and more exciting career path!

Did you face any struggles before becoming an author? If so, how did you overcome them?

There was a bad period for a few years, up until two years ago, culminating in my having a stroke, but I survived and recovered. Writing The Mystery of Gogarth Abbey went some way to my rehabilitation, and kept my mind sharp and creative.

Now that you are a published author, how has your life changed, if at all?

Yes, it has changed somewhat. People in my close, and wider, circle have begun to recognise me as 'clever', as they put it, and I am starting to be recognised generally. My life will – hopefully - change dramatically once the story is a resounding success, and the second in the series is on the market.

Can you please describe a typical day in your life now?

I am still working four days a week, so it is pretty much the same at the moment. My days off are spent walking with my partner, and my spare time is spent working on the second Grange Girls mystery.

What is your most memorable moment of your life as an author?

I suppose up to now, it has been how people view me, but the single biggest thing for me so far, was just to get that printed and finished copy in my hand. It was wonderful and surreal, and seeing it on the market is also a wonderful experience!

How would you best sum up your experience with Pegasus Publishers?

I did have a contract offer for The Mystery of Gogarth Abbey from another major UK publisher, but I chose Pegasus for their enthusiasm. Since working with them, I have found that we both have the same goal and marketing ideas for the story, and they have been great to work with so far. I look forward to a long and lasting writing relationship with Pegasus, as I know I have made the right choice.