Author Interview: Antony Simpson in 2026
In 2025, I did an Author Interview with Wigan Literature Festival. Author interviews are a great way for readers or potential readers to get to know you. But they are only current at their time of publish and soon become outdated. So I’ve decided to update this author interview for 2026 here:
Published Works: FINDING YOUR HAPPINESS (2026), Funny Emails To My Friend (2025), Z-VIRUS Monsters (2025), Z-Virus Powers (2024), Ways The Human Body Can Go Wrong (2024), My Royal Navy Friend (2024), The Alcohol Therapy Workbook (2023), SpellCast – Folk Magic for the 21st Century (2021) & Mental Health Wisdom – Developing Understanding & Empathy (2019).
Tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Antony Simpson and I am an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch. I’m 40 years old, a gay man and live in the North West of England.
What sort of literature do you write?
I write books, articles, blog posts and very occasionally the odd short story.
In terms of my books, they are mostly non-fiction and on a variety of topics including all aspects of health – physical, mental and emotional, a book that is general humour and a book that is about paganism.
My two fiction books are about a group of teenagers that develop powers after the world has been overrun by zombies. Their powers help them to survive at first, but then get increasingly out of control and dangerous, so they go on a journey to try and find the cure for the Z-VIRUS. The Z-VIRUS is responsible for both their powers and the zombies.
What inspires you to write?
A wide range of things inspire me to write, including: my passions and interests, anything that I find inspirational, my life experiences, my family and friends.
Tell me what your latest creative work is about?
My latest book is titled FINDING YOUR HAPPINESS and is an invitation to the reader to learn the knowledge and skills that they need to be happier. It is partly inspired the journey I have been on in the last few years and partly inspired by the work I do as a Nurse, helping people with addiction issues to become healthier and happier.
About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with a medical condition that would significantly reduce my life expectancy. That diagnosis made me rethink every aspect of my life. I made the decision that I wanted however long I have left to be as happy as possible. I started to immediately plan for and take action to improve my happiness. Today, I can honestly say, after a lot of work on myself and change, I am the happiest that I have ever been.
What do you hope your readers will get from your latest creative work?
I hope that anyone who reads FINDING YOUR HAPPINESS uses the knowledge and skills in the book to transform their lives. To become happier and to be excited about what their future holds for them.
What is the most exciting thing and the most challenging thing about writing?
The whole creative process is exciting. Getting an initial spark of an idea, developing it and eventually holding in your hand something that you have written, edited and published. I also get really excited by meeting readers or potential readers of my work.
The most challenging thing for me is marketing and promoting my creative works so that they sell. Although I do make small amounts of money from book sales here and there, so far, none of my published books could be considered a commercial success.
Luckily, I write for my enjoyment and pleasure, not to make money. I currently have a full time job as a Nurse, which I love. But balancing a full time job, writing, medical appointments and other commitments can be challenging at times. It can leave me with limited time, energy and motivation to write. But that said, I am still managing to create on average 1 book a year, plus other content including blog posts and articles.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to be a writer?Â
Writing is a skill, and like any skill, it has to be practiced regularly for you to get good at it. So don’t just say you want to be a writer, do it! Start today.
Reading is also a good way of learning how other writers write. So read as often as you can, ideally, work by a wide variety of writers.
Where can readers learn more?
I have a website: www.antonysimpson.com, which has a blog that I regularly post on. I also have a monthly email newsletter, so if you’re interested in me, my work, or both, subscribe to that.
Social Media Links:Â
Facebook: Antony Simpson – Page | Antony Simpson’s Blog
X: @antonysimpson
Instagram: @antonysimpsonuk
Threads: @antonysimpsonuk
TikTok: @antonysimpsonuk
Oh and I’m on goodreads too:Â https://www.goodreads.com/antonysimpson
Take care,
Antony
