An Interview with Sean Watkin

Tell us your story – when and how did you start writing fiction?

I’ve always told stories, and I think that comes from hearing family histories and ghost stories sat at my grandparents’ knees. My nan would always tell us spooky goings on, all interwoven with family history and people I’d never get to meet. That fascinated me. There was a lot of loss there, particularly her brother who died during World War II.

Then, my grandad from the other side of the family always had a book in his hand – these old leatherbound Reader’s Digest editions, and soft, dog-eared paperbacks from writers I can’t remember – and he taught me a love for books.

In terms of writing, I always wrote, even at a young age, where I started with Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction – yes, really!

I had a penchant for the macabre, even as a kid, where some would be reading Enid Blyton or Beatrix Potter, I was reading Roald Dahl and Christopher Pike’s Spooksville series.

As I grew up, I was inspired by shows such as Buffy, The X Files, and writers such as Thomas Harris. Later in life, I was studying Applied Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, and during the summer break I started writing so much – really weird and unusual retellings of classic fairy tales. I’d researched their origins and histories and tried to strip back all of that Disney nonsense and get them back to being scary.

During that break, I decided I was going to study writing and changed my degree to Creative Writing, so that I could really hone that craft. It was the best experience of my life, and it led me on to studying my MA with LJMU, where I began drafting an early version of Black Water Rising (then titled The Mud of the Mersey), which was a horror novel. I’d not really read much crime fiction until my tutor at the time told me my novel should be crime and not horror. So, 30,000 words in, I gave it a go and fell in love with the characters in that setting.

What’s the one line or paragraph you’re most proud of in your shortlisted book?

I think that opening line: “The thing about dead bodies is that they’ve nothing to do but wait.” It says so much about de Silva before we even know anything about her. I think if you read the novel then circled back and re-read that opening line it would hit so differently. Also, in terms of the crime aspect, it’s so true, isn’t it? The dead have to wait. I imagine these victims, battered and bruised and destroyed by the killer, and they have to wait for de Silva and Barclay to figure out what happened to them. I think that’s so haunting.

Let’s say you’re going rogue: which crime fiction villain would you most enjoy being (just for research, of course)?

When writing Black Water Rising, I wrote a chapter from the perspective of the killer, just so I could get into his headspace. I had no intention of keeping it in the book, but the writing felt so alive and vital that I did end up keeping it. Seeing the world from the killer’s perspective was weird, and he is the complete antithesis of who I am as a person. The fact that my writing took on a new energy when inside his head left me a bit concerned: was being inside a villain’s head too comfortable a place for me? Good god I hope not!

But in terms of other crime fiction, I would have to say that I was always in awe of Francis Dolarhyde from Red Dragon (Thomas Harris). I found him fascinating and flawed and a victim himself. I think I’m drawn to that idea that no one is born an evil thing, that they’re created over time and shaped by circumstance. He had this really raw rage, an almost animal instinct, and this over-arching inferiority complex that fed into a superiority complex. Fascinating!

So, for the science, I’d be him for a day. No, not a day, maybe fifteen minutes.

Which writers have influenced your own writing the most?

I’m a big believer in reading outside of the genre you’re writing in. I think it gives more depth to the work, rather than sitting in an echo chamber of other writers in your genre or style. That said, I’m reading so much more crime now than I ever have done, and each day I’m coming across new-to-me authors who have amazing talent, unique voices, and stories that take my breath away emotionally.

Outside of the genre, I’ve been captivated by John Williams’ Stoner, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (and I fully believe she’d beat Jane Austen in a fight), William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist, Robert Seethaler’s A Whole Life, Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love, and Gregory Maguire’s Wicked Years and Another Day series to name a few.

Within the world of crime, I’m a bit obsessed with Heather Critchlow’s Cal Lovett Files series, Michael Wood’s Matilda Darke series, Rob Parker’s The Troubled Deep, Trevor Wood’s new Jack Parker series, and of course Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs.

You’re cast in a gritty crime drama. Are you the detective, suspect or the wildcard witness?

The killer/bad guy. 100%. I think it’s every gay man’s dream to play a villain at least once in their life, and I think I’d be really good at it.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

This is unfair. Hah! There are so many. I’m currently reading fellow shortlisted author’s novel, Sick to Death, by Chris Bridges and I’m finding it so emotionally resonant and beautifully written. I’m such a slow reader compared to others, it takes me a good while to digest books, but I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the shortlist!

What inspired you to take the leap and write your first novel — was there a moment that sparked it?

I’d been reading Peter Pan.

I’d never read it as a kid and I’d only ever seen the Disney movie. I was struck by how different the novel is in terms of the parents knowing full well that the Darling children had gone off somewhere. I think there’s a scene where the mother races up the stairs and the line is something like “and the birds were flown…” I became obsessed by the idea of what parents do, or what they tell neighbours, family, school, even the police, about where their kids are.

That led on to a really dark horror novel, where I’d invented my own version of Stephen King’s Maine right here in Merseyside. Quite an undertaking, I’ll tell you.

I redrafted this novel into a crime novel, and the characters and story just soared. So much so that I had to turn it from one book into a trilogy.

What’s been the biggest surprise (or challenge) about publishing your debut book?

Actually having it published. Every day, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity that my agency and Canelo gave to me and Black Water Rising. Everything that has happened since then – the panel talks, visiting indie bookshops, book launches, meeting the most wonderful crime fiction readers – has been this incredible bonus that I’m truly thankful for.

Now to be shortlisted for the McDermid Debut Award 2025 is the cherry on a very incredible, gorgeous cake that I can’t stop Bruce Bogtrotter-ing my way through.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone writing their first crime novel, what would it be?

I do think there is a misconception that everyone can sit down and write a book one day, or that because you’ve read a lot of books, you’ll make a good writer. I don’t think this is necessarily true.

So, my biggest piece of advice would be to go and learn all of the nuts and bolts of writing – the mechanics and the craft. You may have a brilliant idea for a plot, but without the structure and pace, without the poetry in your prose without the themes and motifs, without the character arcs, it’s just that: a plot on a page with no soul.

You don’t have to go and do an MA or a BA degree like I did to learn all of this. So many great writers offer short courses to get you going – some even for free! Another piece of advice I’d give is to get out of your own way, and I mean this in a few ways:

• If you’re worried you can’t write, you won’t write. Having a passion is great, but having the will is something else.
• Being writers, it’s so easy to let our ego get in the way, in terms of “protecting” our baby from the thoughts, opinions, and critiques of others. This is folly. Having those external opinions will help shape your writing, and you as a writer. Surround yourself with good people who you trust and workshop your idea and your prose!