When did you start to write?

I got my General Certificate of Education A-level in English Language at grammar school in northeast England as well as passing O-levels in both English Literature and Greek Literature, among other O’s achieved. In Britain the GCE’s are what all 16-19 year old's sit before entering college and/or university. A is advanced, O is ordinary. We modestly just say we passed or we didn’t pass it. We only use the word graduate if you pass the final university exams, never before. I did indeed graduated university. As an intel officer in the field of ops I spent my downtime writing philosophical thoughts and observations of life in small pocketbooks (it means exactly what it says – small books that fit in the pocket – and how this word describes a handbag in some parts of America is puzzling). I still refer to these small books that I kept from so long ago. I was told I wrote good detailed reports though one senior chap once pulled me aside at headquarters and whispered, “Listen, we don’t need to know what colour eyes the bloke had.” For my manuscripts I write directly into the computer, no longhand for me. My style, I was once informed by an editor, and I agree with, is described as staccato mainly because I often never had time to fully explain and it was a case of “this is living in the moment now out here, sir”.

Do you any have one major insight you can proffer about your time in SIS?

Before I joined the SIS George Blake was an officer who betrayed us and spied for the Soviet Union before exfiltrating (defecting) there. In his own book he wrote something that I always thought was true in the almost two decades I served. I quote him: “MI6 is one of those types of organisations that once they have taken a decision on a subject then tries to interpret everything thereafter to so confirm that decision and subsequently also tends to discount matters which is contrary to that decision.” His statement could well apply to the British government and other governments of today.

Which books have influenced you most?

Most of those by Noam Chomsky, who is a disciple of George Orwell, but not all. This world we live in needs to change and he is radical in his presentation on how to do it. While I am not remotely religious, there’s another two books that have influenced me a lot, which I have taken the time to read - the Bible and the Koran. They explained to me why certain people believe what they do and why they conduct themselves so. I didn’t say I agree with them, mind, but I like to think I’m informed. The problem is a lot of personalities want to convert you over to their way of thinking, which is unacceptable to me. Why not accept what others believe in without resorting to force? Simply agree to disagree and move on. Harder than you think though, because the gospel and hadiths are interpreted differently by different cultures to mean different things. Anyhow, other books I’ve also enjoyed are by authors' John Le Carré (David Cornwell) and Andy McNab (Steven Billy Mitchell). Their lives and backgrounds are quite similar to mine, even though we’re each from different generations.

Who represents you?

I’ve had three literary agents, one in Berlin, another in London and the last in New York City. Unfortunately none delivered an agreement with a publisher after a reasonable time had passed so I went out and got my own deal eventually. The way the book publishing world has evolved is if you’ve got a half a brain for the business of it then you can do it yourself. So to answer your question, I represent myself. I am also able to write my own contracts, within reason, as I attended law school after my first retirement from SIS. More complicated documents are best run by a legal expert that specialises in the subject matter. So I have a literary, a film, a music and a business expert in the wings minding over me. I have four solicitors (lawyers) each in different continents who take care of the governmental problems I’ve had over the years. I also never went to journalism school so I don’t write in an established formatted way, and this perceived disparity was probably the cause for rejection by traditional book publishers. I’m glad I don’t though. Why be like everybody else?

Is there a downside to not having representation?

Many. In some companies they won’t talk to you without having a rep. Before the 11 September 2001 I once offered Vanity Fair the opportunity to interview Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar and a bunch of other terrorists and revolutionaries – and showed the associate editor how I could ably undertake the assignment and deliver – but they declined because I didn’t have a literary agent at the time. I still have the refusal copy on file. Naturally though with a competent agency behind you, you can avoid missteps and detours and compress the time between book conception and publication. You can concentrate on your writing and not be distracted by editing, marketing, etc. But I feel in control of my destiny more the way I’m doing it.

Will you read my manuscript or book?

Unfortunately I want to concentrate on my own writing and cannot be distracted by having to read other people's manuscripts. But depending on specific circumstances I will consider occasional paid editing assignments. The subject matter would have to be of interest to me, obviously. I could never do justice to a romance novel or sci-fi, for example. That would be like a heavy metal rocker listening to reggae or flamenco – a square peg in a round hole!

Will you reply to my emails?

Yes, eventually. Usually within 48 hours of receipt. I do look in my Spam box too! I’m stunned how many people in business say they don’t bother checking there. They must lose a lot of potential work.

Where do you live?

Villefranche-sur-Mer between Nice and Cap Ferrat in France. I've been residing here on and off since 2000, and permanently for the past seven years. It is a quarter of an hour driving from Monte Carlo, Monaco.

What is your motto?

‘Mediocrity is worse than failure.’ Not everybody agrees with that though.

Lastly, aren’t you worried about an iris security check on the photo image at the top of the website?

What you don’t know is that’s not me. It’s been doctored. I’m blind in one eye anyway from a conflict zone injury. My real eyes aren’t that colour either. This discussion reminds me that long ago I double black taped over the ‘eye’ camera looking at me on all my devices. I recommend people decreasing their digital footprints as their identity is being eroded right in front of their eyes in this internet age.