ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Okay, who are you? JT Farrell or Tom Rhymer?
Both, actually! I started narrating audiobooks a number of years ago under the
name JT Farrell, and once you build a bit of a reputation you don’t just want to up
and change your identity. But when I decided to start writing novels, I faced a bit
of a dilemma: I was still working a day job that might not look favourably on me
writing steamy romance novels. So I decided to use a pen name that was separate
from everything else I was doing. Now I’m retired from that day job and don’t give
a damn.
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How did you get started?
The narration started with a now defunct podcast called Hammertales, in which I
narrated books that were in the public domain – Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allan
Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, etc. After a couple of years, I refined what I was doing and
decided to dive into the world of professional narration. It’s fantastic fun and I’ve
never looked back.
For the writing, I’ve always wanted to write. I told myself years ago that I would
be disappointed in myself if I didn’t write at least one novel. I struggled for years
with my first one, Strange Corners, but when I finally finished it was like a door
had opened. If I could write one, I could write as many as I could find the time to
do!
How do you choose what to write about?
Sometimes I choose the subject, sometimes it chooses me! I knew I wanted to write romances set in the Viking era, and I had an opportunity to collaborate with the wonderful Delta James. So of course I was going to do that. The Pleasure House of Tarma series started because I’ve always loved science fiction and wanted to experiment with the fusion of sci-fi and romance, space opera style. Both historical romance and speculative fiction really appeal to me, probably because I find writing to be an escape from the real world.
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What does the future hold?
I couldn’t tell you, and that’s part of the fun! I want to further develop my ability to narrate, both in terms of voice coaching and the technical side of audio production. I want to write about lots of different things – so many – and I really want to continue to connect with readers and listeners. I would be nowhere without them,
and they give me enormous positive energy.