About

About Stephen

For as long as he can remember, Stephen has been an avid reader, a passion that has profoundly shaped both his writing and creative influences. While crime fiction plays a significant role in his work, his literary interests have always been broad and diverse. Writing, however, is not without its challenges.

The Crime Fiction Landscape

Crime fiction remains one of the most popular genres in literature, attracting established authors and celebrities eager to try their hand at storytelling. However, breaking into the industry as a new or independent writer can be daunting.

When Stephen wrote his debut novel, Blind Murder, he had no formal training in the art of writing. What he did have, however, was a clear vision: to create something different. Yet, originality alone doesn’t always secure a publishing deal or an agent.

Many modern fictional detectives are portrayed as deeply flawed, often struggling with alcoholism, personal loss, or failing relationships. While these portrayals resonate with the real-life challenges faced by many police officers, they rarely represent the experience of a single individual. Instead, these characters often serve as a composite of various struggles within law enforcement.

Stephen’s approach in Blind Murder set his work apart. Rather than focusing on a traditional detective, his protagonist is a road policing officer who unintentionally finds himself caught up in a high-stakes investigation. The choices he makes will alter the course of his life forever. The story continues in the sequel, Driving Dead, which was published in January 2019.

Looking Ahead

Stephen’s writing process temporarily slowed while he pursued his MA in Crime Fiction—a worthwhile investment that deepened his understanding of plot development, character arcs, structure, and narrative perspective. This period of study reinforced the idea that great storytelling requires more than just putting words on a page. His hard work paid off when Driving Dead became a finalist in the 2021 Page Turner Awards.

Excitingly, Blind Murder is now in development for a potential TV or film adaptation. Stephen remains optimistic that a production company will bring his vision to the screen. He is also exploring other creative projects, including a stage play inspired by a real-life case from his time as a probationary officer. Additionally, audiobook adaptations for his novels are on the horizon.

His MA thesis novel, Crimson Dragon, was published by Troubador Publishing under the Matador imprint and is available through the SHOP page, the publisher’s website, and Amazon.

Reviving a Lost Story

In 2023, Stephen undertook a deeply personal project: editing and publishing a novel written by a deceased family member. His aunt had penned Let the Grass Green in the 1950s, along with several other works that remained undiscovered until recently. Wanting to honor her legacy, he carefully revised and released the book, ensuring her voice reached a new audience. It is now available in print and eBook formats via the SHOP page and Amazon.

Final Thoughts

With an ever-growing list of ideas and projects, Stephen’s journey as a writer is far from over. Whether it’s expanding his crime fiction series, venturing into screenwriting, or bringing hidden literary gems to life, his passion for storytelling continues to evolve. His commitment to writing remains unwavering, and he looks forward to sharing more stories in the years to come.

Stephen is an author-member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers’ Association, the International Screenwriters’ Association, and the Association of Self-Published Authors.