A SELF-PUBLISHED author from Bromsgrove has found international success with his post-apocalyptic book series set in the Midlands.
Devon C Ford recently released ‘Rebellion’, his sixth and last installment of the ‘After it Happened’ series, a story set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness which swept the country and left millions dead.
After self-publishing with Amazon, the 35-year-old went on to sell more than 200,000 copies and became a number one bestseller in the UK, USA and Australia, as well as reaching the worldwide top ten, despite having no experience at all.
He said: “With the ‘After it Happened’ series I started with what and where I know, I chose the Midlands as a background and the books evolved from there.
“I thought, the best lies are based on truth, so when it comes to fiction, just write what you know. Although I won’t reveal exactly where the books are based.
“When you go into the sci-fi realms of literature, I think the appeal of the apocalypse is that people look at it like a social reset in a way, an escape from real life and a chance to start again in a new world that tests you.”
The former police and prison officer went on to land a publishing deal with Vulpine Books and is working towards releasing more books in the future.
“The publishing world has changed massively over the years and is unrecognisable now, gone are the days of sending off manuscripts and getting rejected,” he added.
“I went on Amazon and self published on there by uploading my story, finding the perfect cover art and so on.
“Even though I got signed by Vulpine, in my heart I am still an indie author and I will always support other authors like me.”
Devon is currently working on a multi-author project where he will write the first installment of a three-book series.
“It is all very exciting, I am working with authors Jacqueline Druga and Patti Glaspy and we will write a book each.
“The series follows the character of a Brit in New York set just after a worldwide event, a sort of nuclear winter.
“As authors, we all support each other and work together, there is no competitiveness between us.”
The ‘After it Happened’ series will be available on Audible.co.uk narrated by RC Bray (The Martian, Arisen) from September 5.
Devon C Ford will also be at Coventry Comic-Con on October 1.
Visit www.vulpine-press.com/after-it-happened more more information.
