Your book is, how shall we say this, evocative to the extreme. My first question then is quite simple. Did you have a happy childhood?

I can't really remember my childhood, other than selected books and TV programmes.

On a more serious note, please tell us something about yourself

Both my parents are from Cotgrave and I grew up in West Bridgford, so I am a true Notts lad. I used to have a book about Robin Hood that I would read everyday, but unfortunately it was stolen from my schoolbag. Interestingly, a couple of years ago I submitted a script about Robin Hood to the BBC, but they said it was to dark and unsuitable for kids. The man was a murdering robber! I had to laugh when I saw the series they made instead. For the past decade I've been trying to make it as a singer, although every band I've ever been in has dissolved into bloated, substance addled egos. That's fine if you're a millionaire rock star, but not when you're signing on. I honestly thought I was going to be the next Robert Plant, which possibly goes some way in explaining the rage that helped fuel England, my England.

The book is quite relentless in it's sexual and violent descriptions. I thought American Psycho had pushed the boundaries but it seems tame in comparison. I'm thinking of cats anally raping babies for example. Is there a boundary or taboo you would not cross?

Graphic scenes of a sexual or violent nature only work if they're in a higher context, and relevant within the plot. Any idiot could write a book full of 'shocking' scenes, but weaving them into a coherent and interesting story takes a modicum of skill. Being extreme just for the sake of it is boring - the film equivalent would be Hostel.

Given the subject matter (and apologies for harping on about it) is this why you decided to use a pseudonym?

Not at all. I used to sign my work at school 'King Henry' to annoy the teachers, and it became something of an [occasionally ironic] nickname.

The introduction 'greasy turd' reminded me a little bit of Perfume when the main character is born into a stinking smelling Paris at the feet of a fisherman's wife. Were there any particular books/events etc which influenced you?

I suppose your formative years inevitably shape who you are, and if I'm honest maybe I'd be writing romantic comedies had my circumstances been different. From a literary perspective I chanced upon Gormanghast when I was very young and it made me realise there was more to fiction than 'the Hardy Boys'.   

You decided to self-publish. Why was this?

When I initially began contacting agents and publishers I was met by an almost unanimously positive response. They loved my theatrical style and the crusty black humour dribbling throughout, yet had severe reservations about the commercial viability. All demanded major 'artistic revisions' - which in English means dumb down, tone down, look down and take the money. Obviously I was tempted, but at the moment I'm still young enough to believe in artistic integrity. Apart from anything, the book satirises our cultures incessant pandering to the gormless, snot-clotted masses, so I would have been a hypocrite if I'd played along.   

I admire you for going it alone but I have one small reservation. Who is going to review this book and more importantly who will stock it?

Getting a self-published book into a major magazine or store is virtually impossible, as most self-published books are shit. Therefore of necessity I'm relying on independent publications and the internet to prove my literary worth. If I can demonstrate my work is commercially viable, then I've no doubt one day England, my England will be for sale in Tescos next to Jordan's latest bestseller.      

What kind of audience, reader do you envisage liking this book?

Anyone that appreciates flamboyant storytelling and is interested in provocative art.   

The England in your title is one of chaos and self intoxication. A bit like Jerry Springer meets Shameless but with a more violent undercurrent. Is this how you see England or should I say is this an indictment of our times?

We are all privileged to be living in a country where the standard of living is high, there's free healthcare, and hard work is usually rewarded. But something's changed, something in the psyche of the nation. Just walk around the streets and you can almost feel the mask of civility slipping. There's a real anger in the air, a sense of injustice and barely suppressed hatred. Why, I don't know, but its there, gleefully festering with every imagined slight. Whenever I have to queue anywhere I always wonder if the person behind me is going to snap and start blasting.   

You can invite four authors or characters from books to dinner. Who would they be and why?

Nurse Ratched, as she's a brilliantly written metaphor particularly relevant in today's political climate. Enid Blyton, as she's the forgotten genius of English literature. HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu - well who wouldn't want to have dinner with the ultimate evil? And completing the quartet Stephen King, and I'd poison the overrated fucker.  

The most enjoyable aspect of the book for me was the tone in which it was written. The complete arrogance of our unnamed 'hero' reminded me a little of Des Essientes (Against Nature) mixed with Jeeves. Was retaining this very high level of poetic English difficult or are you really a well educated toff at heart?

English is both a beautiful and brutal language, and I wanted to juxtapose the swashbuckling extremes. For every c### there's a cerulean! As for being a toff at heart, well you've read what happens to them in my book!

What kind of reactions did you get from friends when they read passages?

My girlfriend threatened to leave me.  

Your book seems similar in purpose to a short story by Nick Hornby called 'NippleChrist' (guy makes a painting of Jesus out of nipples. Put in an art exhibition. Within a few hours someone has slashed the painting. Curactor calls the artist 'I'm sorry Sir, your work is ruined'. Artist responds 'brilliant, that's quicker than I thought. There's a camera behind the painting filming the reactions of people. The nipple Christ picture was not the work of art. The work of art is called tolerance..') I get a similar feeling with your book. Only the 'retards' won't get past the vulgarity. Is this the purpose and perhaps more importantly, can you blame readers if they don't?

I realise a lot of people that read the book will do so simply for its dissolute nature, and a lot of people that criticize the book will choose not to look beyond that same debauchery. I can't blame someone for being stupid, but I can blame them for being wilfully ignorant.     

I guess as with above, what is the purpose of the book for you. Is there a particular moral or theme (irony perhaps?) that you are hoping to get across?

No. People can view the book as a vile pornographic killfest, or a satirical comedy, joyously fisting contemporary English culture. I really don't care. 

His victims are both innocent and deserving. This makes it hard for us to sympathise with him. Was this something you considered during the editorial process?

Pick up the average [million selling] thriller or horror, and there are good guys versus bad guys. Actually, you could probably extend that to most books currently on the market. I like a character to have different layers, and for a book to gradually grease through those layers until the true essence is sobbingly exposed. Only then can you build a genuine relationship and hopefully understand the motives and machinations - no matter how monstrous they initially appear.       

Will you be doing readings anywhere?

I contacted a few coffee shops and asked if I could do some readings, but they insisted on first previewing the material. All were thoroughly horrified and basically told me fuck off. In the coming months when word of my book has spread, I'll probably organise a reading in a more artistically welcoming environment. I'll put any updates on my website.     

What are you working on at the moment?

I've almost finished a pilot for a TV series set in a girl's boarding school. Malory Towers it ain't!    

Last words?

If you're the kind of person that sometimes fantasises about marching through the streets with a sub machine gun, then England, my England is for you.

        Interview conducted by James Walker for Left Lion Magazine