Dean Clayton Edwards

Biography

"... a writer who has tremendous ability and tremendous potential. One to watch." - SJ, Amazon.com

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I live and write in the south of France with my incredible wife, two amazing daughters and a lot of ideas.

I've been working with dreams for many years and have been credited with almost unheard of dream recall. I was fortunate enough to be invited to write "How to Remember Your Dreams" to help people enjoy their dreams, improve memory and to provide a basis for lucid dreaming, dream interpretation and dream analysis.

My dreams are often bizarre or dark, reflecting the kind of thing I like to write. My short stories, published in print and online, have been described as 'magical and horrifying'. John Bird MBE, Chairman of ABCTales and founder of the Big Issue, described "Forgive Me", a story about the Night Hag, as 'truly chilling'. But remember, there are no shadows without light.

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Smashwords Interview

What motivated you to become an indie author?
I didn't want to publish. I wanted to 'BE PUBLISHED'.

And then I was.

A lot.

I've ghostwritten many stories, novellas and novel length fiction, all of which have seen the light of day. Having been published in this manner, and paid for it, the 'how' of being published became less urgent. The question that took its place was 'when'.

I've always been a writer who wants to write, rather than a writer who wants to 'be a writer'. I think that somehow 'being a writer' involves drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and attending celebrity book launches, but you can do all that and not write a word. It doesn't matter how many typewriters you have on your shelf if they're on your shelf. I have two. I know.

I've seen that almost anyone can publish independently, but that it takes skill, determination and dedication to do it well. I'm hoping to reward my readers by producing quality stories in quality books. My marketing, my stories and, most importantly, my readers will determine my level of success. I'm in this for the long haul - always have been - and it's time to start hauling.

I still consider traditional publishing options, but with time at a premium (most writers have others jobs, yes?) and with the tech being so accessible and so much fun, indie publishing is a good option for me, at least in the short to medium term.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Being involved with Smashwords makes me feel very much like part of a community. I care very much about stories, their quality and the reader experience. The comprehensive guides produced by Smashwords were very encouraging in this respect.

Smashwords means indie to me. It empowers authors and readers, taking control and giving us flexibility. All things that I really appreciate.

Publishing my book via Smashwords has meant that it was available in multiple formats in multiple countries within hours and that I can track it's course across the world, book by book by book.

My first novel, The Hollow Places, is all grown up, and I hope that this thing with Smashwords will be a healthy, long-term relationship, but you never know with these kids.
Read more of this interview.

Books

The Hollow Places - A Paranormal Suspense Thriller
Price: Free! Words: 66,350. Language: British English. Published: October 31, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
(5.00 from 1 review)
Simon, a serial killer, has only hours to save his little sister. From himself. A bloody journey of rescue, revenge and redemption.