The Gates of Dawn received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Michael J. Gowers.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Gates of Dawn; published 29 January 2024.
What’s the book’s first line?
‘The rain came suddenly, riding the sea breeze like a ghostly shroud, sucking the hues and tones from everything in its wake.’
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
The Gates of Dawn is a descriptive and fast paced thriller, telling of man’s primeval fascination with art, and how some, whose obsession is to garner all such beauty for themselves, will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Set in the historic cities of Bristol, Oxford and Birmingham, the novel is a curious, yet strangely satisfying blend of art-crime thriller, interlaced with historical scenes relating to the Pre-Raphaelites most iconic works.
At a small general auction in the centre of Bristol, Emily Bradshaw is about to make a discovery that will shock the art world and change her life forever. Unearthing a previously unknown sketchbook by Victorian artist, Herbert Draper, she soon finds herself embroiled in a race with a rival bidder, the mysterious Henry Faber, to identify a collection of eight priceless paintings by the enigmatic Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood – each referencing a sacred doctrine from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. Just when she thinks her search is at an end, Emily is confronted by a man, born of obsession and a dark family secret, who plans to pull off what will be, ‘… the most audacious art theft of the modern age.’
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Have you ever had one of those life-ennobling moments that quite literally takes your breath away? That was my experience when, one day, I happened across Victorian artist Herbert Draper’s enigmatic painting of the goddess Aurora, entitled The Gates of Dawn. I sat transfixed for what felt like hours, studying it and letting its beauty and symbolism wash over me like a day-dream. Finally, I promised myself that somehow, some day, I would take a leap into the unknown and write a novel about her.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I like to think The Gates of Dawn will not only provide its readers with a thrilling, page-turning insight into the shady world of fine-art crime, but also fascinate them with the real-life histories of eight Pre-Raphaelite paintings and their creators, compelling them to want to search them out for themselves.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Emily Bradshaw is an ordinary working girl in her early thirties, who lives with her partner, Tom, in a small rural village in South Gloucestershire. She has a passion for art, and works as an exhibition organiser for the Bristol-based Royal West of England Academy. Although seemingly unremarkable in many ways, we soon find out that Emily is single-minded and innately curious, embodying an inner fire that can only stand her in good stead when she eventually comes face-to-face with her nemesis – a character born of pure evil.
In this respect, Emily reminds me a little of the elven princess, Arwen, from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings – humble yet courageous, and filled with an abundance of grace, benevolence and compassion; virtues that become more apparent as her quest continues.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I first decided to take up the pen whilst on sabbatical in the summer of 2009. Little did I know what a long and challenging, yet hugely rewarding, journey I was about to embark on.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
The Gates of Dawn is my first novel.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m now retired, having spent the last forty years working as a Business Analyst in the UK Financial Services sector.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
This varies, greatly. When I’m ‘in the zone’, so to speak, I will spend as much as twelve hours a day working on a particular chapter, trying to get the flow and the words just right. But I also think it’s important for writers to take a break for a few days, or even weeks – to free the mind and re-visit what we’ve convinced ourselves is literary perfection, with a fresh pair of eyes.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
For me, the best part is right there in the name – the freedom to go your own way, to have a completely free rein in everything you create and how you go about it. And take it from one who comes from the world of IT, renowned for its often ludicrous project deadlines and milestones, having the licence to decide your own work ethic and personal targets is an absolute godsend.
Of course, such freedoms come at a price. More often than not, you are an ‘army of one’, reliant on your own motivation and self-discipline. At the end of the day, nothing happens unless you make it happen.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
As I’m currently finding out, the marketing and distribution of your book is just as hard, in its way, as writing the thing in the first place. But, there is plenty of help and advice to be had out there – all you have to do is find it and use it. And, most importantly, don’t give up on your creative instincts, the moment you finish typing the last page; just learn to channel them in a slightly different way, to push the result of all your hard work on a far-flung and unsuspecting audience. Be directly involved in the design of your book cover and any related marketing material – don’t just blindly delegate the responsibility to someone who is not as invested in your project as you are. Oversee everything, and give yourself plenty of time to decide what you like and what is right for your book.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I’m quite happy to remain an indie author.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Just to be a tiny part of this timeless creative art is good enough for me.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I’ve long been an admirer of the American author, Ray Bradbury. He is often just labelled as a science-fiction writer; quite unfairly in my opinion – he is so much more than that. To me, the way he expertly contrives a story and infuses it with subtle hints of the arcane is a wonder to behold.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I recently read A.S. Byatt’s Possession, and having finished it, found myself wondering if I would ever be capable of writing something so masterful. Like all the best things in life, it required a little work; but, having immersed myself in the author’s wonderfully crafted prose, it ultimately became one of those rare books that leave a deep and lasting impression.