KC Author Page
Kevin Cooper is a multifarious writer with something for all ages through the medium of novels, novellas, short-stories, and poetry. Some of KC’s major influences in literature are JRR Tolkien, Philip Pullman, C.S Lewis, Terry Brooks, and J.K Rowling.
KC was born in Hull, England. At 21 years of age, he moved to the USA where he first attended Western Kentucky University, but transferred to Asbury College where he graduated with a BA in Psychology. He then attended Asbury Theological Seminary for a couple of years before moving to Arizona where he enrolled at the Grand Canyon University, obtained a research fellowship and graduated with a M.Ed.
His career in education spanned from tutor to teacher, to college lecturer. He later changed careers and went into management working for The Hertz Corporation. After almost twenty years living and working in the USA, he returned to England. He resides in the East Riding of Yorkshire with his wife and two cats.
Q&A With KC
When did you first start writing?
I always loved reading more than writing. I enjoyed some of the writing assignments I had in high school, but I didn’t really start writing until my mid to late teens. Even then I only wrote songs. I enjoyed writing poetry and essays in addition to songs while in University. I guess my writing slowly developed from there.
Who are your favourite authors?
My favourite authors are Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Pullman, Charles Dickens, The Brontes, Terry Brooks, and JK Rowling.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
I’m no longer working since retiring early to become a carer. So when I’m not doing housework and preparing meals, I love to spend time going out with my wife… a half-day or full day out at the seaside or malls and other outlets, and markets mostly in Yorkshire.
My cats love me to play with them. In fact, they demand it. I get into trouble if they start to feel neglected! I still prefer reading to writing and like my DVD boxsets and music for downtime… when allowed.
Books vs ebooks?
I prefer physical books, but my hardback collection is limited to my favourite authors as discussed above. I used to have bookcases from wall to wall filled with books.
I discover ebooks from authors on WordPress and Amazon prime mostly. I read on both kindle and iPad devices, so I’m not fussy about a particular platform.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, of course. It was a story about my holiday in Flamborough. I wrote it for English Class in high school. Flamborough became my haven.
What is your writing process?
Think, research, write, read, edit, read, put aside for a while, and repeat.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Robinson Crusoe. I was about eight years old and I wanted to be stranded on an island too. Anything was better than the life at home. I fantasised a lot about being Robinson Crusoe.
What are your five favourite books, and why?
It’s a difficult question to be honest.
I prefer the third volume of Tolkien’s , The Lord of the Rings.
I love Pullman’s Amber Spyglass.
Terry Brooks’ Landover Series is out of this world: The Tangle Box is incredible.
This is like asking me, who do you like best, Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost? I can’t do it. They are both genius and both so unique, both just so… beautiful. And then there’s T.S. Eliot!
It’s impossible to say I like one more than the other. So, I’m trying to pick one book from each of my favourite authors. Geez, there are simply too many I love to strictly narrow down to five. Mmm… Okay,
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, and Agnes Grey by Charlotte Bronte.
Why? They are so well written. these stories pull me out of this world and into another or out of this life and into another. They are works of pure genius, fantastical and magical. Take Dickens for example,
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…”
How does one possibly compete with that?
I hope you enjoyed the Q&As session. If there is a question you would like to add, please ask. I will do my best to answer and add it to the Q&As section on my author page. You can ask in the comments below or email me at: kevincooper693@gmail.com.
Hodgepodge 