Michael J Gill
Tight Spiral as the name implies – is sport fiction with an American Football backdrop. But it is far more complex than just sports. A near death experience, the desire to make a comeback and an amazing young lady enters the main character’s life. Four characters’ embark on life journeys to fulfil their goals, which ultimately become the same goal. This is a fast-paced novel written for readers to enjoy on a plane ride such as London to NYC for example. Once you start reading Tight Spiral it will be hard to put down.
Tell us a little more about the character of Harry Smith.
Harry Smith grew up near a USA Air Force base in the UK. His granddad coached the game on the base, which of course is based on my own personal experience. Harry moved to Texas to attend the University of Texas and finally had the opportunity to play quarterback for the UT Longhorns. (This particular player on a football team must possess the mental agility on par with a Formula 1 racing driver.)
After a tragic accident which results in a coma, Harry recovers and returns to the UK. From this moment on the story is all my imagination – to develop a British sports hero – the first to play in this position, ever in USA and now show his skills on UK soil.
Why do you think American football continues to grow in popularity in the UK?
It is packed with entertainment for the whole family. There are many stoppages in the game and maybe that is the point. Soccer is continuous but not always action-packed. American football time-outs give you the chance to make a brew, grab a beer and talk about the last series of plays with family and friends. The NFL have played 2 games per year at Wembley for quite some time (more than anywhere outside of the US). Just recently they announced a 3rd game to be played at Wembley. The writing is on the wall for our own London NFL team. Tight Spiral offers one scenario.
When did your life in American football begin?
1987, in the town of Cheltenham Spa, the Budweiser League had developed a UK Football league and the area had several Air Force bases close by. The rules back then were: two American players on offense and two on defence were allowed to play, with the rest being British. All the coaches were American. I became a coach through persistence and convincing the American coaches I was good enough. I had many coaching books and had not missed a game on Channel 4.
I have included a short true story at the end of Tight Spiral. The 1987 Cotswold Bears, South West champions, was truly an amazing year for me. In fact, my book is dedicated to the late Jessie Latorre from Connecticut, USA, who was instrumental in my coaching career.
What made you decide to write from the point of view of the player, rather than the coach?
An excellent question! I became so wrapped up in my character, Harry Smith, I never thought about my own coaching experience for a POV. I began to feel game day, making split second decisions, falling in love with Amy and his roller coaster life experience. I was that Quarterback and the comeback kid!
Why did you bring the book's setting back to where you were born in Yorkshire?
I love Yorkshire and after 20 years of living in the USA and Canada, I still can’t wait to go home twice a year to see family. I am so proud of Leeds for developing into one of the best cities in the UK. Their great team in the 80s was the Leeds Cougars, which is the team in Tight Spiral, set much later in 2018.
The city has now developed an American football academy for young people to learn the game. I hope to become involved and help raise funds through my book sales, to help raise money for equipment.
What is next for you?
I am working on a sequel to Tight Spiral and do not want to spoil the ending by revealing any of the story. I would like readers to savour the moment before reading Harry’s next journey. There is a minor character in Tight Spiral that will develop into a main character in the sequel. “Smith & Armstrong” the series. More American football, murder and intrigue! My goal, probably like many authors, is to see the series on the big screen or TV. It’s such a unique story, you just never know!