Interview with Local Author, M. Purkiss
I was very pleased to meet a fellow indie author recently, living in the same town as me! We met for coffee, had a lovely chat and he kindly agreed to be interviewed. I am pleased to introduce you to M. Purkiss. Please take a minute to visit his socials after you have read the interview. Thanks!
1. Introduce yourself! Tell us something about you, where you are from and how you got into writing.
Hi all. My name is M. Purkiss, and I write primarily horror, although my debut release was considered sci-fi/mystery. I currently live in South Wales but am originally from Southampton in Hampshire. I have always loved books, although growing up I struggled to read and write, but I somehow knew that I wanted to write even before I understood how too. It wasn’t until I left school and college when I really sat down properly to write. Although I used to write tales of horror growing up, only for my own amusement.
2. How long have you been writing?
As soon as I grasped the basic concepts of sentences and structures, I started creating stories. My first book was published in 2015, and it spawned two sequels in the following years (2016,2017). After this I took a break from writing seriously until 2024, when I decided to properly pursue writing as a full-time commitment.
3. Why horror?
I have always loved horror, growing up I would spend endless hours watching horror movies. I would play horror games and when I was able to read properly, read horror books. I find the genre to be very expressive and without too many barriers. I am able to go in any direction I feel is necessary. Horror had always been a part of my life and so it made sense that the love I have for the genre is something I wanted to share with others.
4. Who is your favourite horror author?
I have several horror authors I love to read and who inspire me. Of course, a big one for me is Stephen King, The Shining being the first adult horror book I read front to back. But aside from him I look to others, such as Rick Wood and Ania Ahlborn who are able to create captivating and exciting scenarios to get lost in terror with. I am always open to trying new authors of course, I love to see different perspectives on similar situations, it always fascinates me.
5. Have any authors inspired you to take up writing?
I knew I always wanted to write horror before I had my favourites as it were, but then when exploring different authors, I am able to get inspiration. There has not been one particular author that inspired me to write, just the genre in general was the inspiration I required.
6. Do any of the people you meet in real life inspire your characters? Anonymity is key here!
There have been on occasions when someone has said something to me or acted a certain way when I say to myself “save that for later”. A lot of my characters are fabrications of my own imagination with a sprinkling of real traits from people to give the characters more depth.
7. Of your characters, which is your favourite? Why?
I love this question, mainly because it can change at any moment. I guess if I had to pick one current character it would be Adam from Spirals of Grey. I love his journey, although tragic, I feel like the way it plays out is something that is grounded in reality. My favourite upcoming character is from an as yet unannounced project, Sara. But more on her when the timing is right.
8. Which is your least favourite? Why?
I don’t have a least favourite character as such; I have had difficult characters. One being Barbara from Spirals of Grey. She was a character who was quite stubborn, she wouldn’t act or do what I wanted her to do, mainly because it wasn’t in her personality to do certain things, so this led to many re-writes to fit in with her.
9. What is the scariest/weirdest experience you have ever had personally?
Life in general can be quite terrifying. There have been a few encounters that I couldn’t explain away easily. I have always been interested in the paranormal and have had the experience of seeing a few apparitions in my life so far. There have been times when I have been reading and something strange happens. For example, I was reading The Exorcist and when reading the possession scene, the lights in the room began to flicker. Bad electrics? Maybe, though it hasn’t done it since.
10. There seems to be a vague theme of houses or home running through, ‘New Fears Unlocked.’ Was that deliberate?
It wasn’t deliberate, although I guess I like to create fear in safe spaces, which for most in home. New Fears Unlocked! was created as four unconnected stories, although the theme of houses or home is cool, ill take that.
11. Have you ever stayed in a haunted house or home?
I have and I love the experiences I have had. One of my inspirations for ‘House’ was due to a house I grew up in. Especially the character of the man in the hat. I used to say to my parents about a man who came into my room and sat at the end of my bed, years later a neighbour said that she had seen the same man walking through her kitchen, so must be something in it.
12. Do you believe in ghosts?
Definitely. My answer to this question is never anything different.
13. ‘Paralysis’ is a story I think many people could relate to. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis yourself?
I have. When my anxiety gets really going, I do suffer from sleep paralysis. It is such a terrifying experience. You literally cannot move and have no reaction to things going on around you. I have wanted to write something about these experiences for a while, which is why ‘Paralysis’ exists. I knew exactly what the character was feeling and thinking and her tricks to bounce from the experience is tricks I have used.
14. What do you like to do to relax or have fun?
It may seem quite boring but when I am not writing, I’m normally reading. I read mainly horror but do read thrillers and other genres as well. I also like walking, this helps with my mental health also, so it has dual purpose. I also have an obsession with Disney, so I’m either watching movies or planning a Disney trip.
15. What are your plans for the future in terms of writing?
I have so many plans for the future. New Fears Unlocked! is of course my current project I’m focussing on. Once that book is out, I have already one other project in editing. I have also finished a first write up of another. I have literally not stopped; the ideas keep coming. I have a document which I update regularly of upcoming projects, and I currently have twelve in the pipeline, although nothing comes quick, so this will keep me occupied for the next few years, so watch my socials for all the exciting announcements.
16. When can we expect a new release?
New Fears Unlocked! will be coming this year, 2025. I do have a date pencilled in, but I can’t officially announce this yet, but I am overflowing with excitement with this project. It started as a small project of short stories, but has turned into a much bigger machine, which has attracted exciting attachments which I cant wait to share with the world.
17. Where can your readers find you? Include as many links as you like.
Readers can find my work on Amazon which can be purchased in paperback, my work is also on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
Amazon.co.uk: M Purkiss: books, biography, latest update
For all updates and news, I am currently active on the following social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mpurkissauthor
Instagram: m.purkiss_author
TikTok: @m.purkiss.author
LinkedIn: M Purkiss
M. Purkiss grew up in Hampshire, England. Studying at the local schools and colleges.
Growing up I found it difficult writing and reading and was taught through special workbooks which used basic language and grammar. Despite this I wanted to be a writer. I soon found myself reading book after book and though I still find writing difficult, I have managed to write and publish books.
Entity was released in 2015, and this was followed by Entity 2 & 3 in 2016,2017. I took a long break in which time I moved from Hampshire to South Wales. It wasn’t until 2024 when I re-released Entity as Entity: The Complete Trilogy and used that as a starting point to pursue a full-time writing commitment along with a full-time job. In October 2024 I released Spirals of Grey, and the writing is moving full steam ahead.
I have had many exciting experiences since my re-release of entity, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I have built up an amazing support network around me so am fortunate.
If you want to pursue a dream my advice is to take the time and just do it. I have, and if nothing becomes of the final work, at least I can say that I have realised one of my dreams and tried.
