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When a travelling salesman finds a town that’s not on the map, he must choose between romance and a long-held promise of untold riches.
Beckman Spiers is a grey man in a grey world—and he’s happy with that.
After 12 years of routine and grind, he’s again fighting to become Number One Salesman of the Year. Legend has it, Number Ones get so rich, they never work again. With a week to go, Beckman is gaining on his nemesis, smooth-talking Tyler Quittle.
When a chance blowout on a deserted Arizona highway leaves Beckman stranded, the mysterious Saul arrives, and tows him to the strange neon-lit town of Sunrise. Here, he meets the glamorous Lolita Milan and his fortunes change.
Yet, Sunrise’s small-town charms conceal secrets, and his world becomes one of private investigators and backstabbing business deals.
What will he have to do to reach Number One? And what will he do if he wins the race?
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Q&A
– When and where do you prefer to write?
I prefer to write away from my home office desk, because it separates ‘work’ and ‘hobby’. The ideal is time is on holiday, because I’m freer of distractions. That said, I’m lucky that when I’m in the process of writing a draft, I can write pretty much any time or place.
– Do you have a certain ritual?
The only precondition I have is being ‘ready to write’. I don’t sit down at a blank page and force words out. When I have means, motive and opportunity, I open up Scrivener. The pattern of my writing is to outline for a few weeks, then schedule the first draft for a period when I know I’ll have the most free time, then I can usually produce 2000 words a day for 45 days.
– Is there a drink or some food that keeps you company while you write?
Water is the only constant companion.
– What is your favourite book?
I don’t have a favourite, only books which have influenced my writing journey. The most notable is Iain M Banks ‘Consider Phlebas’, which catalysed a huge leap forward in my style.
– Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?
I’ve predominantly written sci-fi (near-future adventures), but Tow Away Zone was such an enjoyable endeavour that I can see romantic comedy featuring heavily in my future canon. Comedy, or at least wit and banter, has been an element of most things I’ve written, so it feels natural.
In 2021 I wrote my first historical fiction novel – currently querying, and in 2022 I’m working on a dystopian drama. I’ll certainly consider more historical fiction in future if I can come up with an idea and time period which resonate with me.
– Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?
Seldom. Sometimes there are influences of movie characters or actors, but the main influence is probably elements of my own character.
– Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?
No, but I have note and dictation apps always to hand.
– Which genre do you not like at all?
Horror.
– If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
I’m not sure I’ve met any writer whose genre or style overlaps with mine, but if I was to return to soft sci-fi, it would probably be Gareth L Powell.
– If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?
In one of my sci-fi adventures, I based two locations on places I knew in France. One of them I returned to as part of a holiday, but made mental notes for research.
Sweden also features in these books, and I’d like to visit places I’ve only seen on Google maps.
Thank you, Chris Towndrow and Rachel’s Random Resources
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About the author
I’ve been a multi-genre author since 1991.
My favourite work to date is 2019’s Tow Away Zone, a quirky American small-town romantic black comedy. It’s been well-received by readers, with 5* reviews on Amazon.
In 2020 I published the sequel – Go Away Zone. In 2021 I’m completing the trilogy.
My sci-fi journey started with space opera “Scared Ground” being available on Kindle in 2012.
In 2018 I published my 2nd sci-fi novel – Imperfect Isolation – which embraces robotics, asteroid mining and a snowy drive in an 80-year-old Porsche 911.
The sequel, Reprisals, followed in 2019. In early 2021 I released the 3rd instalment, Trip Hazard.
I’m currently editing a reflective Western. It explores prejudice against the deaf community and the Native Americans, as a man struggles to reconnect with his lost son and come to terms with his own failings.
I’ve written a collection of offbeat humorous stories and vignettes in the style of early Woody Allen prose. The Real Jamie Oliver and Other Stories is basically a window into my nonsensical side.
I also write pantomime & stage drama scripts. I’ve had 8 works performed and reached a total audience of over 5000 to date.
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Author Links
US: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0092KZ17Q
UK: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B0092KZ17Q
https://www.christowndrow.co.uk
https://twitter.com/TowndrowBooks
https://allauthor.com/author/christowndrow/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15130376.Chris_Towndrow
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisTowndrowAuthor
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Book Link
https://books2read.com/TowAwayZone
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Giveaway
Win 3 x Hardback copies of Tow Away Zone
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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