Martin J. Best was born in Torquay, England, in 1965, where he lives with his wife, Kim, and their Northern Inuit dog, Shadow. Martin grew up in an actively haunted house, which, he admits, probably accounts for his interest in the paranormal. He has had a varied work life, and spent many years running his own mobile disco business. Martin now writes full-time, and when not working, he is a keen walker, music enthusiast, and ghost hunter.

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What motivates you to write and how did you get started?

I grew up in an actively haunted house, so in part I’m motivated to write by a desire to challenge and explore my beliefs and experiences through the exploits of my characters. That said, I ultimately want to entertain the reader, and if the story provokes thought along the way, so much the better! I thoroughly enjoy the writing process, even the frustrating elements, and I’ve been writing for my own amusement for many years, although, due to work and family commitments, writing was never a priority.
In 2015, aged fifty, I found myself in a position where I had to give up working to look after my elderly mother and mother-in-law. This gave me more spare time, and I wrote and published paranormal short story, The Moth Trap, which was based on an idea that I’d been nurturing for years, followed by an urban fantasy tale, A Step Aside, and then The Novice Ghost Hunter. My daughter informed me that TNGH deserved a sequel, and the Ghost Hunter series was born. My mother and mother-in-law are sadly no longer amongst us, but I’m now lucky enough to write full-time.

What’s most rewarding about writing?

Apart from the satisfaction when I think that I’ve got it right, I find it thrilling to think of others reading my work.

What’s your favourite genre and why?

It’s difficult to choose just one, but I would say Dark Fantasy, although I read a wide variety of genres.

Where do your characters come from?

Most of my characters evolve as products of their fictional environment, although Pasha Sokolov in Blood Ties and Drew Byers in Occultus are based on people that I have known. The two dog walkers interviewed for a television news report in Remnants and Revenants are my good friends Alan and Paul.

Who is an author who inspires you and why?

I’m particularly inspired by Clark Ashton Smith. His fantasy is dark and opulent, and his science fiction is visionary, considering when it was written.

What do you look for in other people’s books?

Initially, I look for a subject that appeals to me. In fiction, I particularly like stories that I believe could be true. I like an author’s writing style to engage my imagination, without a surfeit of detail.

Tell us about your newest book or what you’re writing now.

I’m currently working on the sixth Ghost Hunter novel, Occultus, which will be the last in the Ghost Hunter series, at least for the time being. I always strive for authenticity – every location in the series is genuine, all the paranormal events are either from reliable, well-documented sources, or personal experience – and in Occultus the paranormal elements are combined with real-world issues such as mental health and terminal illness. Also included are controversial Christian sect the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren, and occult neo-Nazis the Order of Nine Angles. Compare and contrast! As I write, I’m often surprised where Malachi Hunter and his team of investigators lead me, and Occultus is no exception.

What kind of book would you like to be known for?

Paranormal Urban Fantasy that leaves the reader wondering: ‘Is that true?’

What has writing taught you about yourself?

Writing has taught me that I’m more resourceful than I previously believed. Learning to format a manuscript for paperback, and creating my own book covers are examples of that! I’ve also learned that my mind is an even stranger place than I thought it was.

How has your life experience influenced your writing?

As mentioned previously, I grew up in an actively haunted house, which gave me a life-long fascination with the occult and supernatural, and led me to become a paranormal investigator. I’ve also had a variety of jobs, including bus driver, film processor, and mobile DJ, which have brought me into contact with a wide variety of people in different circumstances.

What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?

Speaking as an independent author, it can be overwhelming when you see the sheer volume of books on the market. Don’t give up. Write a story that you would like to read, and write in your own voice.