My guest this month is one of the best-selling crime and thriller authors in the world.  In the last three years he has achieved phenomenal success, selling over one million books to date. On one day in February 2017, his Amazon rankings placed him as the most widely read author in the world, knocking J K Rowling into second place. He is loudly and proudly independently published, and has recently brought out The Indie Author Mindset, on how changing your way of thinking can transform your writing career. Having met him at an ALLi party last year, I can confirm he is also a thoroughly nice guy, unassuming and generous with his advice and support. I am absolutely delighted to be chatting today with Adam Croft.

Hi Adam; welcome to my blog. Can you start by telling us where is your favourite place on earth — and why?

Anywhere with blazing sunshine, a sunbed, a swimming pool, a bar and plenty of peace and quiet.

How do you relax?

Sparingly. I don’t get a whole lot of time for relaxation, but my garden is my sanctuary. I built the majority of it myself and my wife and I designed it together last year. I love being out there with my hands in the soil, tending to the plants. I find it very relaxing.

If you could change one law, what would it be?

I’d make it illegal for people to walk slowly in shopping centres. It’d be like a sort of reverse speed camera. If you drop down into a dawdle, you either get three points or have to spend a day on a Social Awareness Course. Once you’ve got twelve points, people are allowed to punch you in the back of the head.

What would be in your ‘Room 101’?

Cafés that serve their sandwiches with a handful of crisps on the side. Reprehensible behaviour.

If you could meet one person from history, who would it be — and why?

I’ve always thought it would be fascinating to have lunch with Oscar Wilde. I would have loved to have met Harold Pinter, too. As far as I’m concerned he’s the greatest writer who ever existed, but I’m not sure if he counts as ‘from history’, seeing as he only died ten years ago.

There is a saying: to make the punishment fit the crime. Which character from fiction would you like to punish — and how?

I would superglue the lock on Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs. That would have nipped things in the bud pretty quickly, and avoided grown women feeling the need to declare whether they’re Slytherin or Ravenclaw.

Watch a film, go to the theatre, read a book or talk to friends — which would you prefer?

A very close fight between going to the theatre and reading a book. I haven’t been in a cinema for over seventeen years, and minimal human contact is always preferable to me.

What would you have printed on the front of your T-shirt?

‘Gucci’. Then I’d eBay it.

Would you describe yourself as left-brain (analytical), right-brain (intuitive) or a mix of both?

I think I’m a mix of both. That might sound great, but the trick comes in knowing which situations require the use of each one. If you’re either left- or right-brained, at least you’re going equipped fifty percent of the time.

What would you say to someone who wanted to interview you, then asked you to write and answer your own questions?

I’d say thank you very much, Elizabeth, for having me on your blog. It’s been a pleasure. If readers want to find out more about me and my books, they can head to my website or find me on Twitter or Facebook: . If readers would like to receive two free short stories, they can claim them here. 

 

Adam, thank you so much for finding the time to chat today. Good luck with the new  book and, of course, with the ongoing thrillers.