The Empathy Problem Book Tour – An Interview With Gavin Extence

Today on the book tour for Gavin Extence’s new book, ‘The Empathy Problem’, I talk to the man behind the book.

Can you tell us about yourself and how you got into writing?
I’ve loved writing ever since I was a child, and by the time I was ten I knew I wanted to be a novelist. Then that ambition was temporarily drowned in adolescence, by a tidal wave of self-consciousness and general teenage angst. But the desire to write never went away. I started again after I graduated from university in 2008, having decided that if I didn’t try I’d always regret it. Three and a bit years later, I’d finished my debut novel, which Hodder bought as part of a two-book deal. That’s the short version, which makes it sound easy. It wasn’t! The real-life version involved far more rejection and anxiety and periods of crippling self-doubt. But I think that’s pretty standard fare for any writer. The road to publication is long and hard.

What is your new book ‘The Empathy Problem’ about?
It‘s about a sociopathic hedge fund manager who develops a personality-altering brain tumour. Essentially he grows a conscience – which is very bad for business! It’s a black comedy about greed and love and redemption.

If you were to start your own book club, what authors would you ask to join?
Haruki Murakami, J K Rowling, Zadie Smith, Jasper Fforde, Neil Gaiman and Zombie Kurt Vonnegut. I think that would be a fun book club.

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What is your favourite book of all time?
It‘s difficult, but probably ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ by John Irving. It’s brilliantly written, brilliantly structured, laugh-out-loud funny, heartbreakingly sad, and has an ending that will stay with you forever. It’s probably the most moving book I’ve ever read, and was a huge influence on my own writing.

And finally Gavin, do you have any projects or releases on the horizon which you would like to share with the readers of the website?
I’d love to be able to say yes, but there’s nothing concrete! Right now, I have lots of different book ideas buzzing for attention in my head. I’m also thinking that I might like to write a screenplay, maybe of ‘The Empathy Problem’. And ‘Alex Woods’ the movie is still in development, so that’s quite exciting. Watch this space!

Follow Gavin Extence on Twitter for updates on his adventures and writing.