Meet Glenn Ashton
Born in South Africa and now a proud Canadian, Glenn Ashton has lived a life as dynamic as the thrillers he writes. After earning a law degree and an MBA, he began his career in Toronto, working for one of Canada’s major commercial banks. His skill and drive led him to the Royal Bank of Canada, where he became Vice President of Corporate Finance, managing large commercial and project loans across Europe and China.
When the banking industry downsized, Glenn decided to reinvent himself. He qualified his law degree in Canada, joined a Calgary law firm, and later became in-house counsel for a private company before eventually retiring. Yet retirement didn’t slow him down it gave him time to pursue his lifelong passion for storytelling.
Today, Glenn is a self-published author whose books span historical thrillers, children’s stories, and writing guides. His works include:
- The Theft of Souls: The Trial of Lawrence of Arabia
- Modern Proverbs
- LittleTown (a children’s story about animals building their own town)
- Cupid’s Crescent
- Silent Lips
- Obelisk Seven
- Small Steps to Bigger Book Sales
- And his latest historical thriller, Churchill’s Ferret
Each book reflects Glenn’s fascination with human complexity, history, and the thrill of discovery.
The Story Behind Churchill’s Ferret
Set in August 1938, Churchill’s Ferret is a riveting historical thriller that explores the tension, politics, and espionage surrounding the infamous Munich Accord.
The story begins with a mysterious British woman stalking Adolf Hitler. Commander Charles Burton knows three things about her:
- She plans to kill Hitler.
- She might be an aristocrat.
- The Germans must never learn she’s British.
But the deeper Burton digs, the more dangerous his mission becomes. He must uncover who she is, why she’s doing it, and how far she’ll go before time runs out.
The novel also explores four key historical themes:
- Why Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Accord.
- How Britain’s elite influenced that decision.
- The political role of Unity and Diana Mitford, two of the most controversial women of the 1930s.
- Why so many Germans believed in Hitler’s rise to power.
The illustrated edition enhances the reading experience with authentic images of people, places, and events blending fact and fiction seamlessly.
Writing Habits and Creative Process
Glenn describes his writing process as flexible but deliberate. “I do extensive research before I begin,” he explains. “Once the structure is clear, I can write different scenes out of order. It’s a method that saves enormous time and allows creativity to flow naturally.”
This method planning deeply while writing freely gives his books their trademark authenticity and pace.
Literary Influences
Glenn’s greatest writing influence is Blake Snyder’s legendary book Save the Cat! a guide that has transformed the craft of storytelling for countless writers.
He also recommends Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, which adapts Snyder’s screenwriting formula for fiction. “It’s the best tool for writers I’ve ever found,” Glenn says. “If you read it, your writing life will change forever.”
What He’s Working On Now
After publishing Churchill’s Ferret, Glenn considers it his “latest, last, and best” book. He’s currently focusing on promoting his catalog particularly his practical writing guide Small Steps to Bigger Book Sales, which helps authors improve their marketing and audience engagement.
“Writing is one skill,” he says. “Selling books is another. Many authors underestimate how much effort marketing requires.”
How He Promotes His Books
Glenn is refreshingly candid about the challenges of book promotion. “Marketing your book is hard work,” he says. “That’s why I compiled strategies from published authors and created my guide Small Steps to Bigger Book Sales.”
The book includes:
- A Small Steps Plan Template (Chapter 25) to help authors map their marketing journey.
- A Weekly Engagement Checklist (Chapter 26) with 120 ideas to connect with readers and grow visibility.
- A 20-task program to build consistency across three, six, and twelve-month periods.
He also shares a free version of his template on Facebook for independent authors looking to start small but grow steadily.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Glenn’s advice is simple and powerful: keep learning and keep planning.
“Read Save the Cat! and my Small Steps to Bigger Book Sales,” he recommends. “Between the two, you’ll learn how to write better and market smarter.”
He reminds writers that even after publishing, success takes persistence: “The goal isn’t just to sell books it’s to reach the readers who will love them.”
The Best Advice He’s Ever Heard
“The best advice I’ve ever read came from Blake Snyder: ‘Save the Cat.’ It’s not just a book title it’s a philosophy for storytelling. Learn how to make readers care about your characters from the very first page.”
What He’s Reading
At the moment, Glenn is reading Goodbye Dolly Gray a title that, like his own writing, combines historical insight with emotional depth.
What’s Next for Glenn Ashton
Though he’s no longer focused on new projects, Glenn continues to share his experience and support other authors. “I’ve written eight books,” he says. “Now, I’m just enjoying helping others discover their path.”
His passion for literature, history, and teaching shines through in every word he writes and every piece of advice he shares.
Books He Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island, Glenn’s list reflects both practicality and curiosity:
- The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes by Iona and Peter Opie
- The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré
- Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 by Tony Judt
- The Complete Sherlock Holmes Stories
- And, if possible, a full set of encyclopedias
“Knowledge and storytelling go hand in hand,” he says with a grin. “Both keep the mind alive.”
Connect with Glenn Ashton
- Website: Glenn Ashton Official Site
- Amazon Author Page: Glenn Ashton on Amazon
