Some authors spend decades dreaming of writing a book. Steve Sheppard spent decades trying—and stopping—until one quiet moment in 2017 changed everything. Today, he is the author of four warmly received comedic thrillers, including the beloved Dawson & Lucy series and his standalone village mystery, Lazytown. His work has earned praise for its sharp wit, globe-spanning settings, and the kind of lovable, flawed characters readers follow from book to book.
But perhaps what resonates most is the man behind the stories: a writer who published his first novel at 66 and has since built a career rooted not in speed or commercial pressure, but in joy, curiosity, and connection.
In this in-depth WriteStats feature, we explore Steve Sheppard’s path to publication, the influences shaping his comedic thrillers, and the deeply human philosophy guiding his work, told in his own words.
The Unlikely Beginning: “I’ve wanted to write a book all my life…”
Many writers imagine that authors must have a fully formed plot before starting. Steve Sheppard spent years believing that myth, until he pushed past it.
“I’ve wanted to write a book all my life,” he shared, “but could never get past about page 20 before giving up because I didn’t know where it was going.”
For 40 years, the idea of needing an A-to-Z plan held him back. Then, in April 2017, he decided to challenge the belief that was keeping him from writing.
“I finally had an epiphany… I decided to sit down and just write for the rest of the year and see what happened.”
What happened was remarkable: nine months later, he had the full draft of A Very Important Teapot, a comedic, Australian-set spy thriller starring a character loosely based on his younger self.
“All I’d started with was a title, a location… and a fictionalised version of myself from about 35 years earlier, out of work, sitting in a pub in Surrey.”
By 2019, the book was published. Three more followed. His fifth and sixth are now on the horizon.
“It’s never too late!” he says. And he means it.
A Writing Voice Forged Through Comedy and Classic Thrillers
Even before he discovered he could complete a novel, Steve Sheppard knew precisely the kind of stories he wanted to write: thrillers with sharp comedic edges.
“I write comedy thrillers,” he explains, a specific niche that requires balancing pace, tension, humor, and character warmth.
His influences reflect that blend:
- For thrills: “Desmond Bagley, Hammond Innes, early Alistair MacLean.”
- For humor: “PG Wodehouse, Tom Sharpe, Douglas Adams, Guy Bellamy.”
- And above all: “Leslie Charteris, who wrote The Saint books. They’re very wittily written.”
That combination, classic adventure pacing plus British comedic timing, is what gives Steve Sheppard his distinctive narrative voice.
His Dawson & Lucy series, for example, takes readers from:
- Australia in A Very Important Teapot
- The Baltics in Bored to Death in the Baltics
- Cape Town in Poor Table Manners
Each book stands alone, but Sheppard loves returning to the duo.
“As I’m now so fond of Dawson and Lucy… I’m very keen to see where their developing story takes them.”
His latest book, Lazytown, shifts to a murder mystery in a sleepy English village, a genre he approaches with equal enthusiasm.
“Mirth, mayhem, and murder in an English village” is how he describes it. And the early reviews reflect that promise.
Tools of the Trade: A Simple Setup, A Deep Commitment
In an industry obsessed with tools, platforms, and software stacks, Steve Sheppard keeps it simple.
“I’m very basic. I write and edit on Word.”
He reads about 25 books a year, keeps his writing routine flexible, and relies on instinct rather than elaborate planning systems.
And when writing gets tough?
“I won’t say it gets easier,” he says, “but… I’ve got to keep busy!”
That combination, humor, humility, and a quiet but persistent drive, defines much of his creative process.
Publishing Choices: Frugality, Community, and Small-Press Support
Where many authors debate traditional vs. indie publishing, Sheppard has embraced both.
His first three books were published through Claret Press, a small but passionate independent publisher in South London.
“They have been brilliant… They publish five or six titles a year, books they enjoy… that are otherwise unlikely to see the light of day.”
Lazytown, however, was self-published with a total budget of $300.
“I just wanted to get it out there as inexpensively as possible,” he says.
His expenses:
- Paid for a professional cover (“a good cover is vital”).
- Borrowed Vellum formatting software from a friend.
- Used experienced author-friends for editing guidance.
He admits:
“I often advise authors they should pay for editing… but… there are very few typos in any of my books.”
Pragmatic, honest, and refreshingly self-aware.
Marketing: “I don’t lose sleep over it.”
For many writers, marketing is the hardest part of the job.
For Steve Sheppard, it’s the part he approaches with perspective and playfulness.
“Marketing is the biggest challenge,” he says, “but I don’t lose sleep over it.”
His strategy? Human connection.
“What works for me is face-to-face contact at Book Fairs, random markets and the occasional talk. I’ve made so many new friends in the writing game… everything else is a bonus.”
This attitude is rare, and telling. In an era dominated by algorithmic visibility, Sheppard is building an audience one genuine conversation at a time.
This aligns with findings from our recent WriteStats study: 40% of readers finish thriller books more than any other genre, often because thrillers with emotional warmth and character connection outperform more formulaic stories.
(Read the full report here: https://writestats.com/40-of-readers-finish-thriller-books-most-2025-survey-results/)
Sheppard’s human-first approach is exactly the kind of author-reader connection today’s thriller fans crave.
His Candid Stance on AI: “BAD, BAD, BAD.”
Steve Sheppard doesn’t mince words about AI in publishing.
“I am against using AI tools.”
Pressed further, he elaborates:
“They haven’t yet stolen any of my work but… the rise of AI is BAD, BAD, BAD.”
His view is clear, unfiltered, and rooted in a desire to preserve the human craft at the heart of storytelling.
Whether readers agree or not, his passion for authenticity mirrors the sincerity in his writing.
Life, Legacy, and What Comes Next
Despite not writing for a living, Sheppard approaches his work with pride and purpose.
“I do not earn a living from writing… It would be nice to break even at some stage.”
His joy comes instead from the writing itself, and from what he’ll leave behind.
“It’s a small legacy but leaving behind four (or more) entertaining, hopefully funny novels is something to be moderately proud about.”
And there’s more to come.
“I am presently working on a fourth book in the Dawson and Lucy series. I also have the complete first draft of a separate thriller which needs editing and tightening. I hope that 2026 might see both those projects completed.”
From a man who once couldn’t get past page 20, this is a creative renaissance.
Why Steve Sheppard Matters in Today’s Thriller Market
Steve Sheppard represents a growing category of writers reshaping the thriller genre:
- Late-career authors
- Humorous voices
- Hybrid-genre storytellers
- Creators unafraid of small presses or self-publishing
- Writers who value character warmth as much as plot mechanics
In a market where thrillers dominate completion rates—and where readers crave stories that balance tension with humanity, Sheppard’s books are perfectly positioned.
His work echoes broader trends we’ve seen in our data at WriteStats: readers are increasingly drawn to thrillers that feel personal, hopeful, and character-driven.
Final Thoughts: A Career Built on Courage, Curiosity, and Laughter
Steve Sheppard didn’t follow a traditional writing path.
He didn’t start early. He didn’t chase trends. He didn’t build a polished author brand or deploy complex marketing systems.
Instead, he wrote because he loved it. He published because he wanted to share it. And he built community because he enjoys people.
His journey proves something powerful:
There is no “right age” to become an author, no “correct method,” no “perfect process.”
There is only the moment you finally sit down and begin.
For readers, his stories offer adventure, wit, intrigue, and heart.
For writers, his career offers inspiration and permission.
For the thriller genre, his voice adds vibrancy and joy.
And for Steve Sheppard himself?
Well, he says it best:
“It’s never too late.”
