CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger 2023 – Interview with Alan Parks

With just a few days to go until the winner of the 2023 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger is announced on July 6th, we took the chance to talk to some of the shortlisted authors and find out more about their thrilling novels. Starting with Alan Parks and the chilling May God Forgive, keep an eye out over the next few days more interviews.

How does it feel to be on the shortlist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger?

I feel honoured! It’s always good when someone appreciates your work whether it’s a reader or a prize committee.

How would you summarise May God Forgive and what inspired you to tell this story?

It’s a story about what actually happens when vigilantes get what they want and are let loose on people they think are guilty of a horrible crime and it’s about the point people get to when they can’t live with themselves with the things they have done.

What is your writing process?

I start with places really. This book is all set in Royston. It wasn’t an area of the city I knew very well but during lockdown I went there to do keep fit classes in the park. While I was there I started looking about and the area seemed like a good place to set the book I was thinking about. I tried to make the whole book happen in one street but I didn’t quite succeed!

What advice would you give to aspiring thriller writers?

The same advice I give to any kind of aspiring author. Find something you are really interested in to write about. The chances are you are going to be stuck with that subject for a couple of years so it better be important to you or you’ll give up.

What is your favourite thriller and why?

The Firm by John Grisham. It’s a textbook example of how to make you want to keep turning the page…