Bill Ward's Blog
April 29, 2020
Addiction - New release!
The seventh book in the Powell crime/thriller series is now available.
A young girl dies in a nightclub in Moscow.
The Russian Mafia want to sell their drugs in Brighton’s clubs and bars, but Powell won’t have drugs being peddled in his bar, especially as there are deadly drugs on the streets.
The police are unable to bring anyone to justice. Witnesses end up disappearing.
Facing a young Russian out of control and intent on revenge, Powell takes desperate measures to protect both Afina and his bar.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087NP27YS
USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087NP27YS
A young girl dies in a nightclub in Moscow.
The Russian Mafia want to sell their drugs in Brighton’s clubs and bars, but Powell won’t have drugs being peddled in his bar, especially as there are deadly drugs on the streets.
The police are unable to bring anyone to justice. Witnesses end up disappearing.
Facing a young Russian out of control and intent on revenge, Powell takes desperate measures to protect both Afina and his bar.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087NP27YS
USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087NP27YS
July 18, 2017
The Cabal - New Release!
The latest action packed Powell book is now available.
Powell stumbles across a sinister and clandestine group intent on changing the world order. The mysterious Chairman of this group, has brought together some of the wealthiest and most powerful men on the planet.
But Powell’s focus is on saving one abused woman and her children.
Rose Carter has discovered evidence of the group’s existence and must be silenced. Ruthless assassins are hunting down the family and Powell must keep one step ahead if he’s to keep them alive.
In a gripping thriller, the book races to a shocking climax before Powell receives help from an unexpected quarter.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073ZNXKF5
Powell stumbles across a sinister and clandestine group intent on changing the world order. The mysterious Chairman of this group, has brought together some of the wealthiest and most powerful men on the planet.
But Powell’s focus is on saving one abused woman and her children.
Rose Carter has discovered evidence of the group’s existence and must be silenced. Ruthless assassins are hunting down the family and Powell must keep one step ahead if he’s to keep them alive.
In a gripping thriller, the book races to a shocking climax before Powell receives help from an unexpected quarter.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073ZNXKF5
December 10, 2016
RETRIBUTION - New Release!
The 5th book in my Powell series is now available!
Powell has a temporary job as a bodyguard protecting Bob Hale, the local Member of Parliament, who is a senior member of the team negotiating Britain's exit from the EU.
Someone wants Hale dead. Powell suspects the motive may not be political. Is there a dark secret in Hale’s past? Powerful men will stop at nothing to prevent Powell discovering the truth.
In an emotional story of abuse and lost innocence, Powell must again walk a tightrope between the law and delivering justice.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retribution-...
Powell has a temporary job as a bodyguard protecting Bob Hale, the local Member of Parliament, who is a senior member of the team negotiating Britain's exit from the EU.
Someone wants Hale dead. Powell suspects the motive may not be political. Is there a dark secret in Hale’s past? Powerful men will stop at nothing to prevent Powell discovering the truth.
In an emotional story of abuse and lost innocence, Powell must again walk a tightrope between the law and delivering justice.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retribution-...
June 4, 2016
Betrayed - New release!
Betrayed - New release!
Powell returns in an action packed story of a commune, drugs and corrupt police officers.
Scott, the charismatic leader of the commune, promotes free love and the sharing of wealth.
Hattie is a twenty year old about to inherit a £25m fortune and her parents are worried about the influence Scott exerts on their impressionable daughter. Family ties will be tested to the limits.
Powell is hired to infiltrate the commune but finds himself framed for murder and on the run. Tired of being on the back foot he decides it is time to go on the offensive.
Betrayal is rife and sometimes from the most unexpected quarters.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Betrayed-Pow...
Powell returns in an action packed story of a commune, drugs and corrupt police officers.
Scott, the charismatic leader of the commune, promotes free love and the sharing of wealth.
Hattie is a twenty year old about to inherit a £25m fortune and her parents are worried about the influence Scott exerts on their impressionable daughter. Family ties will be tested to the limits.
Powell is hired to infiltrate the commune but finds himself framed for murder and on the run. Tired of being on the back foot he decides it is time to go on the offensive.
Betrayal is rife and sometimes from the most unexpected quarters.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Betrayed-Pow...
December 29, 2015
What responsibility does an author have to his subject?
I choose topical subjects for my thrillers and as a result it isn’t really surprising that people will have a view on my subject matter. With regard to my novel – Trafficking, which has received generally excellent reviews, there have been a couple of negative comments accusing me of sensationalising and trivialising a human tragedy.
There is no doubt that human sex trafficking is one of today’s most abhorrent crimes and sadly is a growing problem throughout the world. So by choosing to write a fictional thriller have I tried to make money out of other people’s suffering?
I was keen to write about this subject for the very reason it is a terrible crime and I hoped that in some small way, shedding further light on the subject helps grow awareness. My book could have been darker and I have chosen a girl as the central character, who deals far better with her circumstances than would ninety nine per cent of girls faced with the same terrible circumstances. She ultimately escapes being trafficked, which very few girls will do in real life so perhaps the story is not a realistic representation of the grim reality most girls face. I certainly wouldn’t want to trivialise something grave but I believe I have license to portray the character who may only represent one per cent of girls if I so choose.
I do feel authors have a responsibility to our subject and that is to be generally factually correct so as not to mislead our readers but it is a fine line as we are by definition writing fiction! Personally, I see my main responsibility as to entertain my readers and perhaps educate a little.
I have given quite a bit of thought to the critical reviews and whether I am guilty of taking advantage of other people’s suffering. On reflection, I believe most of us who write crime thrillers are inevitably constructing stories around terrible crimes, which for some people will have a very personal resonance. A story about a family murder; a chilling story about terrorism or drugs; a story about abuse; are I believe no different to my story about sex trafficking but I do have a biased view!
In the end, reading is for most people a very subjective experience and what one person loves another will hate. Even with the same subject matter, it will often be a case of how the author handles a sensitive subject as to whether the reader has an enjoyable experience or not.
I wondered if anyone else has faced the dilemma of how to cover a controversial subject matter? Are there subjects we should stay away from because they are simply too raw? I would be interested in your views.
There is no doubt that human sex trafficking is one of today’s most abhorrent crimes and sadly is a growing problem throughout the world. So by choosing to write a fictional thriller have I tried to make money out of other people’s suffering?
I was keen to write about this subject for the very reason it is a terrible crime and I hoped that in some small way, shedding further light on the subject helps grow awareness. My book could have been darker and I have chosen a girl as the central character, who deals far better with her circumstances than would ninety nine per cent of girls faced with the same terrible circumstances. She ultimately escapes being trafficked, which very few girls will do in real life so perhaps the story is not a realistic representation of the grim reality most girls face. I certainly wouldn’t want to trivialise something grave but I believe I have license to portray the character who may only represent one per cent of girls if I so choose.
I do feel authors have a responsibility to our subject and that is to be generally factually correct so as not to mislead our readers but it is a fine line as we are by definition writing fiction! Personally, I see my main responsibility as to entertain my readers and perhaps educate a little.
I have given quite a bit of thought to the critical reviews and whether I am guilty of taking advantage of other people’s suffering. On reflection, I believe most of us who write crime thrillers are inevitably constructing stories around terrible crimes, which for some people will have a very personal resonance. A story about a family murder; a chilling story about terrorism or drugs; a story about abuse; are I believe no different to my story about sex trafficking but I do have a biased view!
In the end, reading is for most people a very subjective experience and what one person loves another will hate. Even with the same subject matter, it will often be a case of how the author handles a sensitive subject as to whether the reader has an enjoyable experience or not.
I wondered if anyone else has faced the dilemma of how to cover a controversial subject matter? Are there subjects we should stay away from because they are simply too raw? I would be interested in your views.
November 27, 2015
Deception - New Release!
POWELL IS BACK IN A HEART POUNDING STORY THAT WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS.
The Americans aren’t happy with the changing political climate in Britain. Elements of the CIA and MI6 enter into a conspiracy to help shape the thinking of the British public.
Meanwhile ISIS has a plan to bring terror to the streets of Britain.
Powell is caught in the middle when he offers help to a former lover, whose life is in danger. Soon it becomes evident, someone will stop at nothing to see them both silenced.
Unsure who can be trusted, Powell must act to save the lives of his friends and right a terrible wrong.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deception-Pow...
http://www.amazon.com/Deception-Powel...
The Americans aren’t happy with the changing political climate in Britain. Elements of the CIA and MI6 enter into a conspiracy to help shape the thinking of the British public.
Meanwhile ISIS has a plan to bring terror to the streets of Britain.
Powell is caught in the middle when he offers help to a former lover, whose life is in danger. Soon it becomes evident, someone will stop at nothing to see them both silenced.
Unsure who can be trusted, Powell must act to save the lives of his friends and right a terrible wrong.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deception-Pow...
http://www.amazon.com/Deception-Powel...
August 19, 2015
Two years as an author!
September will be the two year anniversary of publishing my first book Revenge. Six months later I published Encryption and after a further twelve months I published Trafficking, followed four months later by Abducted, which was two months ago.
Six months ago when I published Trafficking, I was excited to be selling 100 books a month but having serious doubts whether I would ever achieve my ambition of becoming an author who generated a decent income from my writing.
July was a landmark month for me as I sold 1000 books in a month for the first time. Over the last six months, since Trafficking was released, there has been a sharp upward climb in sales, which is showing no sign of slowing down. (I’m now touching wood as I write this!)
I hope to have my next book out in about four months and that will complete the trilogy started by Trafficking.
I share this news not to show off and anyway there are enormous numbers of authors selling far more books than me but if you are in the same position I was just six months ago, I want you to know that even greater success may be just around the corner!
I say greater success because all of us who live our dreams and self-publish our books have achieved a huge success but the reward of knowing far more readers are buying and appreciating our work is the next step in our journey.
So what is the secret to my improved sales? Have I simply written a better book? I don’t think so. I sat down before writing Trafficking and analysed what type of book I wanted to write and thought about the hugely successful writers in that genre. I adapted my style a little from my first two books and learned from the reviews of those books e.g. I was guilty of too much ‘show’ and not enough ‘tell.’ I ensured the plot would move at a very fast pace. I decided to write a trilogy featuring the same characters.
When I published Trafficking, I had no idea how it would be received whereas I was confident my first two books were worth reading. I was filled with self-doubt but the end result seems to be the commercial success I wanted.
I am writing the third book in my trilogy and feel I now understand better my audience and what they want to read. With practice I also believe the quality of my writing is improving.
I spend every waking moment writing and promoting my books so it has not been an easy ride. I take my new career as seriously as I did my previous corporate career.
Many of you who read this blog will be authors and I hope you take encouragement from my story. I don’t feel I have yet anything like fulfilled my writing goals but I have taken an important step forward. I wish all authors great success. We are not in competition but travellers along the same road.
Six months ago when I published Trafficking, I was excited to be selling 100 books a month but having serious doubts whether I would ever achieve my ambition of becoming an author who generated a decent income from my writing.
July was a landmark month for me as I sold 1000 books in a month for the first time. Over the last six months, since Trafficking was released, there has been a sharp upward climb in sales, which is showing no sign of slowing down. (I’m now touching wood as I write this!)
I hope to have my next book out in about four months and that will complete the trilogy started by Trafficking.
I share this news not to show off and anyway there are enormous numbers of authors selling far more books than me but if you are in the same position I was just six months ago, I want you to know that even greater success may be just around the corner!
I say greater success because all of us who live our dreams and self-publish our books have achieved a huge success but the reward of knowing far more readers are buying and appreciating our work is the next step in our journey.
So what is the secret to my improved sales? Have I simply written a better book? I don’t think so. I sat down before writing Trafficking and analysed what type of book I wanted to write and thought about the hugely successful writers in that genre. I adapted my style a little from my first two books and learned from the reviews of those books e.g. I was guilty of too much ‘show’ and not enough ‘tell.’ I ensured the plot would move at a very fast pace. I decided to write a trilogy featuring the same characters.
When I published Trafficking, I had no idea how it would be received whereas I was confident my first two books were worth reading. I was filled with self-doubt but the end result seems to be the commercial success I wanted.
I am writing the third book in my trilogy and feel I now understand better my audience and what they want to read. With practice I also believe the quality of my writing is improving.
I spend every waking moment writing and promoting my books so it has not been an easy ride. I take my new career as seriously as I did my previous corporate career.
Many of you who read this blog will be authors and I hope you take encouragement from my story. I don’t feel I have yet anything like fulfilled my writing goals but I have taken an important step forward. I wish all authors great success. We are not in competition but travellers along the same road.
July 5, 2015
Abducted - Giveaway!
June 29, 2015
Abducted - New release
My new thriller Abducted is now available. It is the second in the series featuring Powell and Afina, following on from Trafficking.
Powell returns in an action packed novel of violence, sex and betrayal!
He is trying to recover two children from Saudi Arabia, who have been abducted by their father. In a culture where women are second class citizens, a woman holds the key to the success or failure of his mission.
Meanwhile, back in Brighton, Afina is trying to deal with a new threat from Romanian gangsters.
From the streets of Brighton to Riyadh, Powell must take the law into his own hands, to help the innocent.
http://www.amazon.com/Abducted-Powell...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abducted-Powe...
Powell returns in an action packed novel of violence, sex and betrayal!
He is trying to recover two children from Saudi Arabia, who have been abducted by their father. In a culture where women are second class citizens, a woman holds the key to the success or failure of his mission.
Meanwhile, back in Brighton, Afina is trying to deal with a new threat from Romanian gangsters.
From the streets of Brighton to Riyadh, Powell must take the law into his own hands, to help the innocent.
http://www.amazon.com/Abducted-Powell...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abducted-Powe...
March 25, 2015
Reviews
Let’s face it, Reviews are scary! Especially for a brand new author publishing his first book and full of doubt whether he is completely off his head expecting strangers to pay to read his book. (Yes that was me!)
Every positive Review helps build confidence in your writing ability and in my case led me to writing two further thrillers and I am now looking to write many more.
Even more importantly, Reviews help other readers decide to buy your book. There is no getting away from the importance of Reviews for new authors in particular.
I now have about a hundred and fifty reviews spread around various sites but still feel nervous each time I receive a new one. When I published my first book, I expected my friends and family to rush out and buy my book and quickly write glowing reviews and though a few did, it didn't add up to very many! The strange thing was the number of people who said they enjoyed the book and promised a review but never quite got around to writing one. I eventually just gave up reminding them about the importance of a review as I didn't want to appear completely obsessed by the subject.
I have had some funny experiences with Reviews. One person will love something specific about my book and someone else will dislike exactly the same thing!
I have had an American tell me I had a load of spelling errors and after further investigation, had to point out certain words are spelt differently in the UK to the USA.
What this has proved is, reading is a very personal experience. Do not, as a new author, be intimidated into thinking you must make massive changes because of your first negative review. The reader may not be the right type of reader for your book so was never going to enjoy the experience.
Constructive reviews are very useful in helping us learn to improve our writing skills. I have had some excellent feedback, which continues to improve my writing. I remember an early review of Revenge where I was criticised for too much "tell" and not enough "show." I had never given any thought to the difference and the review was a revelation!
So take the occasional bad Review on the chin and realise your book just wasn’t right for that particular reader. I have recently read a couple of the most successful thrillers of the last couple of years and frankly didn’t particularly like either of them. It is all just a matter of personal taste.
Every positive Review helps build confidence in your writing ability and in my case led me to writing two further thrillers and I am now looking to write many more.
Even more importantly, Reviews help other readers decide to buy your book. There is no getting away from the importance of Reviews for new authors in particular.
I now have about a hundred and fifty reviews spread around various sites but still feel nervous each time I receive a new one. When I published my first book, I expected my friends and family to rush out and buy my book and quickly write glowing reviews and though a few did, it didn't add up to very many! The strange thing was the number of people who said they enjoyed the book and promised a review but never quite got around to writing one. I eventually just gave up reminding them about the importance of a review as I didn't want to appear completely obsessed by the subject.
I have had some funny experiences with Reviews. One person will love something specific about my book and someone else will dislike exactly the same thing!
I have had an American tell me I had a load of spelling errors and after further investigation, had to point out certain words are spelt differently in the UK to the USA.
What this has proved is, reading is a very personal experience. Do not, as a new author, be intimidated into thinking you must make massive changes because of your first negative review. The reader may not be the right type of reader for your book so was never going to enjoy the experience.
Constructive reviews are very useful in helping us learn to improve our writing skills. I have had some excellent feedback, which continues to improve my writing. I remember an early review of Revenge where I was criticised for too much "tell" and not enough "show." I had never given any thought to the difference and the review was a revelation!
So take the occasional bad Review on the chin and realise your book just wasn’t right for that particular reader. I have recently read a couple of the most successful thrillers of the last couple of years and frankly didn’t particularly like either of them. It is all just a matter of personal taste.
