I’ve published 5 novels: Colouring In (2019); The Lines Between Lies (2020); Secrets We Hide From Ourselves (2021); Justinian’s Daughters (2023); and The Road Home (2023). The first 3 were with Purple Parrot Publishing, the last 2 with Provoco Publishing Limited. I’m no longer working with either company and my books are currently being reworked ahead of self-publication this spring/summer.

Based in Kirkham, Lancashire. Still spend time writing and recording my own songs.

Nigel can be found at:
Bluesky – @menigestew.bsky.social
Instagram – @menigestew
Facebook – facebook.com/nigel.stewart.3720

Our first interview was back in 2022

Tell me what inspired you to write your (debut) novel?

There was a very general sense of being around people whose talents were hidden underneath “life”. But in more specific terms, a guy I’d been in a band with was a really talented artist, especially with pastels and watercolours. But he tended to put that in a distant second place behind his corporate career. He was also a bit weird about praise for his art – only wanted it from people he believed were ‘experts’. I kind of developed that into Colouring In, creating this artist that had those characteristics, but also threw in another side, in which the main character believed he couldn’t be creative if he was also in love/in a relationship. For subsequent books I’ve been inspired by: something I saw on a train; a party; a WW2 airfield; and cathedrals.

What came first the characters or the world?

For the debut, definitely the characters. In subsequent books, it’s been more of a mix. In Justinian’s Daughters, the setting (Pembrokeshire) was and is right up front as a character.

How hard was it to get your first (debut) book published?

Colouring In was self-published in 2016 even though I finished the original draft of the book in 1994. Long story, which I’ll summarise as “life got in the way”. But the self-published edition led to a connection and collaboration with a local indie publisher on an upgraded version of Colouring In, then on two further novels.

How long did it take to write?

I started writing Colouring In during mid-1990, which is when the novel is set. It underwent many versions and changes until I felt it was finished, in 1994. It then sat on floppy disks until around 2007 when I had another surge of work on it. Then, in 2014 I had a major life change and writing became a big part of my life so for two years I really pulled the story apart and put it back into a new shape ahead of self-publishing. Then, finally, ahead of the 2019 edition another few months of work on the book in collaboration with PPP. So, in total, about 8 years. The fastest I’ve written a first draft of a book was 4 months – that was The Road Home.

Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?

I don’t write with any music or distractions. I do create playlists FOR some of my books – because they have so much music in them. Here’s the one for Secrets We Hide From Ourselves – https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/secrets-we-hide-from-ourselves/pl.u-EqmVfa55YNb

How many publishers turned you down?

None, since I took myself seriously. But back in the 90s, when I made enquiries with the MS for Colouring In, I just got ignored.

What kind of reactions have you had to your book?

Almost always favourable. One book blogger has written incredibly complimentary reviews of my work. A couple of 2 star ratings on Goodreads. I think people are sometimes perplexed by my lack of genre, but most people get that I prefer to be genre-defying.

What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?

Another author – Stef Barnfather – review contained the words: “…Stewart’s voice is direct… with grit swirling throughout his lustrous prose… and Justinian’s Daughters is top-notch speculative fiction.” I love that. It made me glow.

What can you tell us about your next book?

It’s a set of short stories, nine in total. The first is set in 1900 and the last in 2020. One character from each story moves forward to the next one, as a kind of generational theme – they occur every 15 years. Each story looks in on real lives during a time of some great momentous world event (eg – VE Day in 1945, the 1990 poll tax riot in London).

Do you take notice of online reviews?

I had to go back to reviews to answer the above question. I know they’re there, but I don’t spend too long checking them. Perhaps I’m more conscious of them when a book is new.

Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?

Because I don’t really write in any genre – I just tend to see everything sitting in Literary Fiction – I feel like I’m constantly changing to try new things. I’ve recently finished a novel set in 1575, which will need to be marketed as Historical Fiction.

What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?

Throughout my writing career, until August 2024, I worked in the IT industry as a procurement and supply chain manager. I took redundancy, and now writing is what I do.

Which author(s) inspire you?

My early inspirations were Evelyn Waugh, Virginia Woolf, Kazuo Ishiguro and Iain Banks. Also quite like Thomas Hardy, Ian McEwen and Jo Nesbo. But more recently I’ve grown to really like Heidi James’s books, and her podcast is hugely inspiring. Ronan Hession’s Ghost Mountain knocked me over.

Which genres do you read yourself?

I’m not particularly driven by genre. I’ve never read much crime, sci-fi, horror or historical fiction. I tend to like more general stuff, and I like dropping in on books I see being fêted on socials.

What is your biggest motivator?

As a writer, to keep pushing myself to do new things and evolve what and how I write. As a human being, my children.

What will always distract you?

My ludicrous imagination.

How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?

I’ve always had complete control over them. For the forthcoming re-editions of my previously published novels, I am working on new designs with my daughter who is brilliant at graphic design.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Until perhaps 12/13 years old, yes. I found studying literature at school made me disinclined to read and by the time I did A level English I hardly read at all. It was too much like schoolwork.

What were your favourite childhood books?

The Winnie the Pooh books (stories and poems) and Wind in the Willows. White Fang was a book I loved – read it loads. I also loved the book they recently made into a film called Operation Mincemeat. The book was The Man Who Never Was by Ewen Montagu. Spike Milligan’s war memoirs were big favourites in my very early teens. Three Men in a Boat was also much-loved (it still is).

Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?

Locally, there’s a shop in Lytham called Plackett and Booth where I generally buy my books. It’s small, with lots crammed into it. They always help me find what I’m looking for. I always find Blackwell’s stores warm and welcoming.

What books can you not resist buying?

Anything by Bluemoose Books. I’ve almost always got at least 3 of theirs in my TBR pile.

Do you have any rituals when writing?

Switch off phone. Switch off all media. Take 5 minutes break every 30. Stay hydrated but also caffeinated.

How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?

Loads – but I keep it simple and always have The Next Five books lined up in a discreet pile.

What is your current or latest read?

I’ve recently finished The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot. I really enjoyed it. This morning, I started on a short stories collection by Raymond Carver called What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?

Colette Snowden wrote Captain Jesus, one of the best books I’ve read in the last 5 years. Her new one is coming soon and I can’t wait for it. (Ashamed to say I’m not sure what it’s called – but when we met she assured me it’s brilliant!).

Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?

Reworking all five of my existing published novels for re-publishing, which should be done by the end of the summer. I’m submitting the shorts, individually and collectively to prizes and into agents. Started work on a new novel on Feb 5th which I’m excited about. Then I’ve also got my Tudor minstrel to work on once I’ve done a shed load of research.

Any events in the near future?

I’m busy writing, so no plans to attend anything related to my own work. I’m in Haworth later in March to catch up with Nydia Hetherington as she launches her new novel Sycorax.

and finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?

Because I’m not really driven by genre this is tricky to answer. I think, more than anything, what inspires me to write is my love of words, making them work, making them dance and sing. I love the escapism of writing and the places it takes me to.

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