Tell us about yourself.:
Award-winning writer Duncan Whitehead was born in England and is the author of the best-selling and award-winning GORDONSTON LADIES DOG WALKING CLUB Trilogy. The series, inspired by the quirky characters and eeriness in the real-life Savannah neighborhood in which he once lived, is a humorous mystery that boasts an assortment of characters and plot twists. The first book in this series won the 2013 Reader's Favorite Book Award for Comedy.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in Preston, an industrial town in the North West of England, but I was raised in Thornton-Cleveleys, a smaller town in the Blackpool area. Blackpool, amongst other things, is the UK's most popular tourist destination, a kind of 'poor man' Las Vegas. After completing high school and college, I joined the Royal Navy. In addition to serving at sea, I had the opportunity to work in British embassies across South America, including Argentina and Uruguay. After I retired from the Navy, I made my home in London; however, soon, I was off on further adventures when I was hired by a well-known Australian TV producer and his author's wife to work aboard their superyacht. After seven more years of traveling the globe, I eventually settled in Savannah, Georgia, before I finally (I hope) moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I'm married, have one wonderful daughter and two equally wonderful step-daughters, and a cat named Mike.

I was an avid reader from an early age. I began reading 'grown up' novels at the age of ten and it was hard to find me without a book in my hand. I read extensively when I was in the navy and working overseas and I always wanted to create something myself. I began by writing short stories, which were not very good, but I had no intention of publishing them. As time went on I wrote more, until I eventually wrote my first book, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, which I did nothing with for three years.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One habit I have is trying to use the title of my books as the last line in the manuscript. I have done this several times and as yet, I'm not sure anyone has noticed!

What authors have influenced you?
I was born in Preston, an industrial town in the North West of England, but I was raised in Thornton-Cleveleys, a smaller town in the Blackpool area. Blackpool, amongst other things, is the UK's most popular tourist destination, a kind of 'poor man' Las Vegas. After completing high school and college, I joined the Royal Navy. In addition to serving at sea, I had the opportunity to work in British embassies across South America, including Argentina and Uruguay. After I retired from the Navy, I made my home in London; however, soon, I was off on further adventures when I was hired by a well-known Australian TV producer and his author's wife to work aboard their superyacht. After seven more years of traveling the globe, I eventually settled in Savannah, Georgia, before I finally (I hope) moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I'm married, have one wonderful daughter and two equally wonderful step-daughters, and a cat named Mike.

I was an avid reader from an early age. I began reading 'grown up' novels at the age of ten and it was hard to find me without a book in my hand. I read extensively when I was in the navy and working overseas and I always wanted to create something myself. I began by writing short stories, which were not very good, but I had no intention of publishing them. As time went on I wrote more, until I eventually wrote my first book, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, which I did nothing with for three years.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My biggest mistake when I started writing was not using an editor. The best advice that I can give is to use a professional editor. I wish I had when I first started out.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I was ever given was from the late Australian TV producer Reg Grundy, who was once a boxing commentator, who told me to 'keep on throwing punches, one will hit eventually.'

What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

What’s your biggest weakness?
Kryptonite. No, seriously, my biggest weakness is impatience. I tend to rush things. I am learning not to, but I still feel the need to get things done and to get them done quickly.

What is your favorite book of all time?
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to spend time with my wife as we are empty nesters. I enjoy traveling and hanging out with our adult children.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I read Enid Blyton's books as a child, and I just felt a wonderful sense of escapism whenever I would become enthralled by one of her books.

What has inspired you and your writing style?
Drugs. No! Joking! I am inspired by real-life events, but some other authors have influenced me, such as Agatha Christie and John Kennedy Toole.

What are you working on now?
I just published my latest book, 'A Cozy Mystery…With Cupcakes and Zombies' I am at the editing stage of another cozy mystery parody 'Murder, She Hoped.'

What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I highly recommend Bookbub. Bookbub has selected me for promotion three times, which catapulted my first book, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, to #2 in all Kindle books and earned it 'Best Seller' status.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on a series of short stories, which I will offer for free. The first one, 'The Best Man,' is at the editing stage.

How well do you work under pressure?
I try to remain focussed and break down what I need to do into smaller segments.

How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
That is a good question, as I have varying styles of writing. I think I try to put myself into my reader's mind and write as if I am talking to them.

If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Never give up. I do not profess to be a great writer, but I believe I am a good storyteller. If you fail, so what? I have failed many times, but to fail and to get back up and try again, that is true courage.

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