PHOTO: Martyn Chapman, acclaimed independent author, draws from personal travels and vivid imagination to craft unforgettable characters and multi-genre narratives.
Master Storyteller Blends Travel, Suspense, Humor, and Mystery Through Richly Layered Characters and Personal Journeys
Martyn Chapman discusses his inspirations, writing process, and the emotional depth behind his novels, highlighting his independent publishing journey and the seamless fusion of real-world experiences with genre-blending storytelling.
Martyn Chapman’s name evokes a literary world where boundaries blur and imagination reigns. With a body of work that spans over fifteen years, Chapman has become a compelling voice in independent publishing, known for his dynamic characters, genre-defying narratives, and deeply personal storytelling. From the haunting depths of The Gatehouse Haunting to the festive warmth of Christmas on The Law, his stories resonate with emotional depth and striking originality.
As both author and creative visionary, Chapman has embraced the freedom of independent publishing to deliver seven novels, a children’s series, a collection of short stories, and stage plays—all imbued with a distinctive voice and narrative richness. Much of his work is inspired by personal travel and lived experiences, leading to vivid, believable settings that breathe life into each story. Whether it’s the eerie beauty of a German gatehouse or the rugged hills of North Berwick in Scotland, Chapman ensures he’s walked the path his characters tread.
Chapman is a fearless storyteller whose richly imaginative, genre-crossing tales leave a lasting emotional imprint on readers across the literary spectrum.
The seed for The Gatehouse Haunting, one of his most acclaimed novels, was planted during a stay at a centuries-old gatehouse in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. A menacing staircase, a warped wooden beam, and ghostly village lore stirred Chapman’s imagination. By the time his plane landed back in Manchester, the story was fully formed in his mind. “All my books follow a similar pattern—the story found me,” he says.
Characters like Ella, the protagonist of The Gatehouse Haunting, are shaped by Chapman’s layered approach to psychology and vulnerability. Her story, rooted in personal trauma and fear, challenged Chapman to craft a character who is fragile yet ultimately resilient. “Writing is like sumo wrestling inside the head,” he explains, as he discusses the struggle to balance empathy, suspense, and credibility in her narrative. Readers are left to question Ella’s reliability and the intentions of those around her—particularly the enigmatic Friedrich, whose role in her life hovers between savior and threat.
Settings are integral to Chapman’s stories. In Christmas on The Law, a decades-old idea finally found its home atop Berwick Law in North Berwick, Scotland. The setting inspired not only the story’s tone but also its emotional resonance. Conversely, One Christmas in Nuremberg was deeply personal, shaped by Chapman’s family history and the city’s haunting past. He believes settings and characters form a symbiotic relationship. “Blending a location to a character’s story is like the chicken and the egg scenario—which came first?” he asks.
As a writer unbound by the conventions of mainstream publishing, Chapman embraces genre fluidity. “I make nowt of genre and simply go where the story takes me,” he quips in true Yorkshire fashion. His debut novel, Hormones and Crumble, began as a lighthearted mystery but evolved into something darker and far more complex. This freedom, however, comes with risks: “A barren wasteland where books are untested,” he says of the independent author’s path. But for Chapman, the ability to meander creatively is worth the uncertainty.
To aspiring writers, Chapman offers grounded advice. He envisions scenes as short films in his head, translating those vivid images into prose before refining through countless drafts. But the journey doesn’t end with writing—he stresses the importance of professional feedback. “Share your story with the experts and let the literary surgeons poke oxygen into your creation,” he advises, crediting Cornerstones Literary Consultants as a crucial support in his own process.
Martyn Chapman’s work stands as a testament to what’s possible when storytelling is approached with authenticity, curiosity, and courage. His stories not only entertain but also challenge and resonate, reminding readers—and writers—that the best tales often defy classification.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Martyn Chapman
