Adam Swain

What’s your background, what compelled you to start writing?

I work in the packaging and print industry dealing with everything from design through to logistics. I love that each day is different and I can be working on several interesting projects for some really big brands.

From a very early age, I have always been encouraged to read. I owe my love for books to my Gran, who would read a different book to me whenever I stayed over. With that love for reading stories, I decided to try my hand at crafting my own. Needless to say it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and here we are!

What book from your childhood do you remember the best? Why?

It’s a tough one to answer because I have two books that really stick out to me. The first one being the Harry Potter series because like so many others, I fell completely in love with the story, the characters and the world. I actually re-read it every year without fail.

The winner has to go to The Little Brown Bears by Chris Temple. The copy we had was so old, the pages had split from the spine and I wasn’t allowed to touch it, but the stories before bed were unforgettable. Alas, we lost that copy eventually and I can’t for the life of me find another.

Which other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you be a better writer?

I am friends with the Hunt brothers (Joel and Ryan) who are both active contributors to Black Hare Press anthologies. I started taking writing seriously once we formed a writing group together, critiquing each other’s work and offering advice. If not for their feedback and help, I’m sure my story wouldn’t have seen the light of day.

With their success in writing stories and having them accepted into the anthologies on Black Hare Press, it inspires me to keep going no matter how full my cup of self-doubt is.

What does literary success look like to you?

It may sound like a cliche and that’s probably because it is… but if just one person who I don’t know reads my story and genuinely enjoys it, I consider that to be literary success.

What inspires you?

There are a few things that inspire me. Seeing Joel and Ryan get their stories completed, accepted, and published out in the real world is a huge inspiration. We belong to the same writing group and it’s all too easy to fall into a pit of thinking you’re not good enough. Seeing someone ‘normal’ be successful always inspires me to finish half completed projects or try something new entirely.

What’s brewing? What projects are you working on?

At the moment, I have a really good feeling about a project in its early stages. I’m in the process of fleshing out the characters and settling on a theme that I’m happy with but the basic premise is a young girl suffering from depression which takes the form of her imaginary friend.