Born in Lambeth, where have you spent most of your childhood?
In Essex, I was an Essex boy before the Essex girl was invented. Did a year in boarding school in Suffolk when I was eleven hated it. Went back home and then studied in Maldon Grammar school left by mutual agreement. Joined the merchant navy, at 15 jumped ship in New Orleans before my 17th.
Did you ever dream of becoming a writer?
I have dreamed of sharing my story for more than 20 years. In 1999 I wrote 11 chapters, I had an editor etc, but it wasn’t the time, life got in the way. I've Written blogs and business proposals, did a regular column in Spanish for a Malaga paper for a while. They say a writer is someone who writes so I just qualify but It’s the story that really matters it needs to be shared.
What's the most daring thing that you have done in your college life?
I was expelled at 14 from Grammar school for offering to get some hash for a friend. It was a time when dope was hard to get and dope in school was unusual. As it should be.
What is the experience of going to a five-star hotel?
I love Claridge’s in London, I always felt like a family member. I often left carrier bags of cash in the wardrobe for days knowing they were safe. The manager stopped me coming out of the lift one day looking truly disappointed ‘I hear you are leaving us tomorrow Mr Mc Coy. Good hotels are easy to hide in. When it comes down to it though if a hotel is clean and secure, with friendly staff. That’s what hotels are for
How long did it take you to put together your first book, To Live Outside The Law?
I smuggled coke for longer than Pablo Escobar. Forty years of research, most of it outside the law. I finally got round to writing that book. Turns out I did enough research for a bunch of em. Big Trials in Brazil, house arrest in Bolivia, escaping prison in Paraguay. Those are just the low points.
When did you decide to share your experience in your memoir, To Live Outside The Law?
Yeah, I finally got down to it in 2021. I found a publisher, settled in Central America, retired. It was time to get sharing my insane adventures
What challenges did you face when writing the first book in the series?
It was my first book. I didn’t have a chair and table suitable in my apartment. I wrote the first couple of chapters laptop on knees sat on the bed. My girlfriend wasn’t that supportive. I wrote every morning until midday, and I remember her coming into the bedroom bollock naked and laying on the bed at ten. Some challenges you can’t resist.
I didn’t know if I could write well enough, whether people would enjoy the books. Could I engage their minds and put them in my shoes. I’ve only succeeded with these memoirs if I can transport my readers from their daily works into my world. I also found remembering the life I had 37 years ago brought up huge waves of regret and nostalgia along with huge smiles.
How important are the data of your book sales for you? Are you using any services for book sales tracking?
These are important to my Publisher https://www.nftworkx.com/
As a practicing Buddhist, what is your opinion on the Bhagwad Gita?
The Bhagwad Gita is a Hindu source of wisdom, Buddha Shakyamuni was Hindu. Buddhism came out of Hinduism like Christianity came from Judaism. Ask me about modern Buddhism as taught by Geshe La Kelsang Gyatso and I will be delighted.
Have you planned all three books in The Bolivia Trilogy or are you still working on them?
Mady, this is a great question, as a memoir, I don’t have to invent I have to remember and then share. My process is writing the stories and people and places, at the first stage. Often what I think I am going to write is not what comes on the computer screen, the books have a life of their own. They are the story I am just the tool to share it. I have just put ‘Finding Peace’ down after second draft. I will leave it for the rest of this month and write the skeleton of ‘Being Found Out’ This is book 3 of the trilogy and is huge double the other two in scope and size.
What are the most beautiful non-tourist places you have seen in the world?
I love long bus journeys; I travelled by bus a lot within South America. The Yungas in Bolivia, El Pantanal in Brazil, the journey from Asuncion Paraguay to Santiago Chile, the boat trip from Manaus to Parantins for a mating festival for the young people who live along the river. There are so many places, recently I crossed from the Caribbean to the Pacific by bus, 9 hours, basic conditions, plus another 3 boring? Absolutely not, we passed through mountainous coffee country, past slumbering and grumbling volcanoes, stopped while 500 cows walked 5 miles down the highway. Tiny villages made of wood with the family pig grazing in the roadside while a cowboy in jeans and Stetson chatted to a mate both on horseback. Ah I could go on, off the beaten track is beautiful, I recommend it. After all beauty is in the beholders eye.
As a traveller who has been to several places from penthouses to jungle kitchens, what are some red flags that would stop you from eating at a particular restaurant?
Ok firstly jungle kitchens are where cocaine is produced, the guys that do the production are called cooks. When there we eat stew, rice, beans. Good campesino fare. Red flags for the traditional restaurants ‘International’ menu’s nah go local, the good restaurants are full of locals. I spent a while in India and Nepal over the years I got sick once, pizza, I knew it was a bad idea, but I fancied it. Stick to what the locals are eating and where they eat it.
Would you rather live in a penthouse or a mansion?
I’ve had mansions they are a pain the arse, constant upkeep, live in staff, acres to look after. So, the answer is Penthouse, I guess. Really though I spent most of my time travelling, hotels were my home. I am stuck in the UK for the moment, I miss my little house in the Caribbean, two bedrooms simple easy to keep up.
Are you working on anything at present you would like to share with your readers?
‘Finding Peace' is nearing external edit stage. It’s way overdue, but I have been practicing being sick, for the first time in my life. Cancer, sepsis, chemo, homicidal infections, all take a lot of writing time. I got out of health jail on the 23rd of December. Now I am happily back at work.
If you fancy it go to https://www.toliveoutsidethelaw.com in early March and you can check out the first chapter of 'Finding Peace ‘if anyone fancies being a beta reader you can contact me there and we will set it up.
How has been your experience working with AllAuthor?
My publishers have had more to do with you than I have but this interview has been interesting and thought provoking. How was it for you?
