Bitten

                                                                         

In the not-too-distant future, Italy is in disarray. It has voted to leave the EU in an attempt to regain control of its laws, finances and commerce. Even so, the country's economy is shrinking and its national debt rising. There is a marked escalation, too, in unemployment, bank loans and immigration. Production and service companies are in difficulty. The only thriving business areas are the black market and organised crime. There is discontent and protest on all sides.

In Florence, the local Mafia boss, more accustomed to gunrunning and trading in plutonium, is involved in organising a silent auction for the sale of one of the world's most valuable lost paintings - a sixteenth-century masterpiece, which was appropriated in World War II by Stalin's Trophy Brigade. A British art expert is set to buy the picture on behalf of his client, a South American billionaire - yet surprisingly two Italian undercover intelligence agents, acting as antique dealers, submit the winning bid. 

All the while, human beings continue to harm the Earth by destroying land, sea, air, animals and trees. Global climate change, polluting the atmosphere, depleting the ozone layer: these are some of man's crimes against Nature. But time is running out. Nature has lost patience with humans. Unless something is done immediately to reverse the destruction of the ecosystem, Nature will retaliate by deploying the terrifying forces at her command. And as a first step in wreaking her revenge, she instigates a reign of terror by the deadliest creature on Earth. 

About the author

                                                                                     

Born in Surbiton, Surrey in 1944, Alan Moore lives in Barnes with his wife, Amber.  They have two daughters and a son, who between them have two boys and two girls.  Alan was educated at Oundle School in Northamptonshire and at London University, where, as an external student, he obtained a BA degree in English.  Thereafter, for 25 years, he single-handedly ran his own book publishing company, which at one stage was producing up to twenty titles a year.  Rather late in life, he is now publishing his own book.  An avid collector of books and classical LP records, he plays the piano and sketches. 

Interview with Alan Moore

Welcome to Allthingsbookie Alan.

How did you get started on your writing journey?

         Having been a book publisher who produced the works of a whole range of writers, I wanted to see if I could be an author too.

 Are there any poets or writers who influence you? How so?

         As far as style and characterisation are concerned, my main    influence is Robert Harris.  Other modern writers whose works I  admire include Peter Ackroyd, Sarah Dunant, Ian McEwan, Philippa Gregory, Victoria Hislop and Hilary Mantel.

Where did inspiration for your novel come from?

         Mosquitoes like me.  Whenever I go to the South of France,       they line up on the windowsill licking their proboscises.   Seeing them as a cross I have to bear, I thought what would happen if they launched indiscriminate mass attacks against everyone?

 Who do you think would like your story and what kind of readership are you aiming for?

         Readers who enjoy a fast-paced, relatively complex thriller.

What is the message you are trying to get across in your book?

         That man should stop destroying the environment before it is too late and Nature exacts retribution for his selfishness and          thoughtlessness by mobilising the terrifying forces at her command

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 What is your writing process like?

         From Monday to Friday I try to write 400 - 500 words a day. At weekends, apart from watching TV, I look over the passage I've written during the week and usually come to the conclusion that I had better write it again! 

  

 Do you have any writing quirks?

         No.  But I do have other unrelated quirks, which I won't go         into here.

 How do you go about editing your story?

         I use the services of a professional editor.

How did you go about getting published?

         I didn't want to contact a traditional publisher, because I am only too aware of the time it takes to get a decision and to produce the book. Instead, I approached Amazon KDP Publishing, who produced my book in three months from submission of the final typescript.

 What are the best and worst parts about writing?

         Sitting there in a dream trying to think of something to write.

What plans do you have for the future of your writing?

         I plan to write a book about the many interesting experiences I had when I was in my twenties.  Hopefully, it will be funny and not at all worrying and pessimistic like Bitten.

Thank you for joining us with what sounds like a thought-provoking novel.