FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Phil Philips
Where were you born and what’s your background – Nationality?
I was born and raised in Sydney Australia and come from a Greek Cypriot background.
What is your profession, other than writing?
I come from a vast digital media background with over twenty years in the Advertising industry.
What other skills do you possess, other than writing?
I’m a Graphic Designer, Web Designer, CGI Artist, Video Editor, Photographer and I like to paint on Canvas with Oils, to name a few.
You can view some of my work here: My Creative Hand.
Why did you decide to write a book?
After sixteen years, working for a large organization, I was made redundant. The entire digital division closed down. I guess, I was searching for a creative outlet and decided to put my crazy ideas to paper.
Who inspired you to want to be an author?
Matthew Reilly was the one who inspired me. I met him a couple of times at book signings. I felt his books were easy to read and well-plotted, and I felt I could do this, and here we are.
Did you attend any Writers Courses?
I did a Thriller Workshop Course at the Sydney Writers Centre, which more than anything motivated me to want to write.
Do you consider yourself a Literal Writer?
What’s that? lol … It’s funny when I get asked that question. I am definitely not a literal writer. To tell you the truth I don’t see myself as a writer at all. If I had told my high school English teacher I wanted to be a writer, he would have laughed in my face. I try and write like I’m in a scene in a movie. I absolutely love watching all types of movies and I appreciate it when I see good cinematography and stories with a great plot. I want the reader to want to turn the pages, that’s my thought process. If he or she has stayed up during the night or missed a train stop because they couldn’t put it down, that’s when I have succeeded.
How many books have you written?
I have written four novels and one short story.
(Joey Peruggia Adventure Series) • Mona Lisa’s Secret – Book 1 • Last Secret Chamber – Book 2 • Last Secret Keystone – Book 3.
Stand Alone novel • Fortune in Blood and short story • Guardians of Egypt.
How have people described your writing style?
Many, have said in the reviews that my writing is fast-paced like a Matthew Reilly book, which to me is the biggest compliment I could get. Dan Brown is also another I get compared to.
What is your ultimate goal?
To get my novels made into movies or turned into a Netflix series. I would love to see based on the novel by Phil Philips on the big screen. That would be the ultimate dream. Only time will tell.
What have you done to make this a reality regarding the movies?
Two of my novels have been turned into screenplays. I’ve entered many screenplay competitions and ranked as high as a quarter-finalist and a finalist. This will be an ongoing process – get my script in as many hands as I can, in the hope to find representation. If you are a producer/agent/manager reading this send me an email, lets make this happen.
How have the novels been viewed by critics?
For the most part, it’s been very positive. Books are like art, you either like it or hate it and that’s okay everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
How deep do you do your research?
I do a tremendous amount of research and visit all the places in my novels to give them an authentic feel. Egypt, France, Cyprus, Greece, England, Switzerland, Italy, America to name a few.
Who creates your amazing book covers and book trailers?
l create all my book covers and video trailers and I’m proud of each one.
How high in the Amazon rankings have you reached?
I have hit the #1 spot for Mona Lisa’s Secret in multiple categories and countries.
What is your single best accomplishment?
Other than my two children Alexander and Leonardo, I think it’s still to come.
Thank you for spending some time to get to know me a little. You can find and follow me on social media.
