Thrilling time for Graham

Over thirty years in the banking industry has given WN subscriber Graham Cawley the perfect background for his self-published thrillers. Fatal Retribution, set in 1950s Devon, has just been published by SilverWood Books and will be his second novel.

Both Graham’s books are set in Devon, where he began his banking career. ‘Banking has changed recently. I highlight what it used to be like.’ The books are based on a bank manager in a small town solving ‘little-known banking crimes’ with the help of the police.

Graham began writing following his retirement. ‘I decided I needed a hobby so I took up a writing course. I started with financial pieces in trade magazines and saw this as an apprenticeship to writing a novel.’

With no previous experience of self-publishing, Graham is delighted with the service he has received from SilverWood Books. ‘What they’ve provided is equal to what I feel any mainstream publisher would. I’ve had lots of feedback and editorial comment.’ Graham donates all proceeds from his books to charities, which include the brain injury association Headway and Leukemia Research. ‘The best way of selling books is eyeball to eyeball. I take books along to local charity events, basically anywhere where there’s a group of people.’

Boosted by the knowledge he has a ‘loyal band of followers’, Graham took the decision to raise the price of his second novel, with the hope of earning more money for his chosen charities. With over £5,000 raised so far, his fund-raising looks set to continue.

Details: Chain of Events and Fatal Retribution, priced at £7.99 and £9.99 respectively (£1 p&p) are available from Graham Cawley, Owlers, Town Row Green, Rotherfield, East Sussex TN6 3QU; tel 01892 852945; website: www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk