Thanks for stopping by. My name is Chris Towndrow and I’m a multi-genre author and a performed playwright.
e-books and paperbacks are available on Amazon here or through other channels via Smashwords or AllAuthor
My most popular novel to date – “Tow Away Zone” – is a Coen Brothers-style comedy-drama which I originally conceived as a movie script. It’s a very accessible read that appeals to a wide audience… 5* reviews on Amazon bear this out —
“A gripping yarn – quirky characters, a pacy plot and a setting like you’ve never read before. A fun ol’ read.”
– Paul Kerensa, Comedian & British Comedy Award-winning TV writer
In 2020 I published the sequel “Go Away Zone“.
Before this, I’d written mostly sci-fi novels. “Imperfect Isolation” was published in 2018. Its near-future settings include such diverse locations as New York, rural Sweden, a French chateau, and a deserted mining base on an asteroid. The 2019 sequel takes the main characters into a new adventure – “Reprisals” focuses on the consequences of the first book, with many people out for revenge. It’s more “speculative fiction / thriller” than sci-fi. The third book in the Enna Dacourt series “Trip Hazard” was self-published in January 2021.
The previous work, “Sacred Ground“, dating from 2004, is a space opera set in the far future after an intergalactic war. I was inspired by the style of Iain M Banks and the result was a huge step up from my previous writing.
Again in the early 2000s I experienced a burst of inspiration for crazy humour, and the result was a short compendium of offbeat vignettes – “The Real Jamie Oliver and Other Stories“.
In 2021 I re-engaged with short stories, and published a handful of new works, in comedy, drama and romance.
Fiction works in progress
On 25.11.2021, I’ll be self-publishing “Stow Away Zone“, the third and final book in the “Sunrise” comedy drama series. This is more of a cozy mystery.
I’m plotting out the 4th spec-fiction novel featuring my heroine Enna, and aiming to self-publish on 2.2.2022.
2021’s key focus is a low-key period Western “Signs of Life“, which is the novelisation of a 2004 screenplay. As an author, it’s my first foray into historical fiction. I’m currently editing with a view to querying, and hoping for traditional publishing.
I’m also looking in earnest at a dystopian fiction novel for 2022. It’s the development of an original idea for a single-set theatrical drama.
Theatrical scripts performed
After my first am-dram Pantomime script was performed in 2004, a major breakthrough in my writing for the stage happened in 2013. “Cinders“, a panto in full risque adult-only form premiered it’s 10-night professional run in Guildford in December, easily selling out all performances.
To follow this, in December 2014 I worked again with the Guildford Fringe Theatre Company on “D!CK” and sold out 17 performances to a total audience of over 1000. Summer 2015 saw my first foray into stage drama, with “The Setup” taking part in the Guildford Fringe Festival. December 2015 brought “Aladdin Rub My Lamp“. Winter 2017 saw “Jack and his Giant Stalk” premiering, and in 2018 Adult Panto “Peter Pan & The Loose Boys” run sold out.
In 2019 a new version of Cinderella – “Ella” – was debuted by a Surrey teenage troupe, and was performed in Lancashire.
Most recently available to license is a bawdy Greek romp entitled “Troy Story” – a so-familiar tale, ripped mercilessly apart and dragged kicking and screaming into a melee of questionable jokes. Also complete is a new one-act dramatic play.
Pantomime scripts are available to license.
Elsewhere
By day I am a corporate video producer at London Corporate Media. I help promote my clients businesses and generate more sales for them. This is a domain characterised by technical knowledge, marketing, filmmaking techniques, storytelling and creativity.