NZ Press Interview at One Man Book Team

Suburban News Bulletin Ryan Berry @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryan-berry/

You live in Switzerland now. How much influence does New Zealand have on your writing?

New Zealand has a large influence on my work. I started writing because I had a story to tell, the story of The Spanish Helmet. This is New Zealand’s story. Admittedly, I wanted to inject some Switzerland into it too, so part of The Spanish Helmet is set over here.

You say The Spanish Helmet is New Zealand’s story. Are you suggesting that there is more to the book than fiction?

A lot more. Originally, I came across some theories suggesting that New Zealand history needed revising. On first glance, I thought is was all quackery but a deeper look revealed some interesting questions. Being a researcher and working for a massive academic library forced me to look into the theories further. When I realised how much work needs to be done to determine New Zealand’s true history – or even if what we think is wrong – I was enraged. I decided to enrol in a masters program in archaeology and was going to return to New Zealand on it’s completion and start digging for myself.

Did you complete your masters?

In the end I realised that academic writing wouldn’t be the best way to reach the average Kiwi. So I started to write a novel. That is how I got to where I am now. I’m completing a masters in library management instead. My life really does revolve around information and books.

How much of the theory in The Spanish Helmet do you believe?

It isn’t so much a case of believing the theory, rather it’s about believing there are questions. The iron helmet at Te Papa, the European skull found in the Wairarapa, the Crosshouse, stones in the Waipoua Forest – these are all artefacts or places that should make us ask questions. I don’t know who discovered NZ first, no-one does. I just think it’s time we make some real effort to find out.

Aren’t you concerned about coming across as racist or a conspiracy lunatic?

Not at all because I am neither. If you read The Spanish Helmet you’ll quickly see that Dr. Matthew Cameron distances himself from the racist views of a handful of people that discuss these themes in New Zealand. Likewise, I have hopefully made my own opinions clear – of the way these issues are discussed and handled by both the conspirators and the authorities – through my narrative.

Now that you have told your story will you continue writing? Do you have more questions or conspiracies lined up?

To the first question, definitely. I have the bug now. I can thank the story of The Spanish Helmet for setting off my career in writing. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to continue with writing along the lines of The Spanish Helmet. My next book is also a thriller but it doesn’t have the historical fiction aspect nor any conspiracy. It does, however, involve a religious sect and may touch a few nerves within the religious community, particularly in some corners of the Pentecostal church movement.

Sounds intriguing. Can you tell us more? Will it be set in New Zealand too?

Switzerland. The whole story takes place in Switzerland but the parallel to NZ is very complete. Other than that, I can’t give anything away except to tell you that Dr Matthew Cameron is not featuring in this book. Instead, readers will be introduced to a new character who I hope to take into a series of thriller/mysteries.

Why did you decide to self-publish? Couldn’t you find a real publisher?

A real publisher? I guess you mean a traditional publisher. I sent an early draft out to only three publishers and they all came back with the expected response, that they don’t have the ability to take on work right now. The traditional publishing industry is having a hard time. Demand for eBooks and indie books (like mine) combined with the current financial state of the world is forcing publishers to cut back on new projects. The result is that these publishers aren’taking risks on newcomers. They stick with their safe existing authors.

It didn’t bother me at all because while I was waiting for their responses I discovered the amazing possibilities of print-on-demand books the Kindle. I was able to set up everything myself without any serious effort and had my shiny new paperbacks ready in no time. Even I have been astounded by the quality of the finished product. Bookstores in Switzerland have agreed that it is up to the standard of their other content and display The Spanish Helmet alongside novels from other best-selling authors.