Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers
Meet Ian McKellar Adams
Ian McKellar Adams grew up in a family of devoted readers. Books filled every corner of his home, and storytelling often became a shared family dream. When the world slowed down in 2020, Ian finally decided to turn that dream into reality and start writing his own.
He began with a few short stories and an unpublished sci-fi novella before completing his debut novel, The Escape Clause, now self-published on Amazon. For Ian, writing is both discovery and play a creative way to build worlds, explore human quirks, and make readers laugh along the way.
The Inspiration Behind The Escape Clause
Every great story starts with one irresistible idea. For Ian, it was simple yet strange: a lawyer walks into a jail cell to meet a zombie client arrested for vagrancy.
From that one vivid scene, The Escape Clause was born. The story grew far beyond his original plan of several short tales and became a full-length novel of over 130,000 words.
Ian says the goal was to “play with monster stereotypes and make it humorous.” The result is a sharp, witty blend of humor, horror, sci-fi, and mystery the kind of story he himself would want to read.
Writing Habits That Keep the Creativity Flowing
Ian’s process is both methodical and creative. He calls it “painting the wall.”
Here’s how it works: he writes a scene, reviews and refines it to get the tone right, then moves on to the next. After a few chapters, he revisits everything, hunting for weak spots, gaps, or dangling plot threads.
To stay organized, Ian uses a large whiteboard divided into sixteen squares, mapping every major story beat to make sure the arc holds strong. Once the structure feels solid, he adds more humor the final “coat of paint” that gives his story its shine.
Authors Who Shaped His Style
Ian’s love for storytelling comes from a long list of authors who know how to pull readers deep into a world:
- Carlos Ruiz Zafón, whose The Shadow of the Wind remains a personal favorite.
- Michael Crichton, for his scientific thrillers that mix tension with intellect.
- James S. A. Corey, the duo behind The Expanse series.
- Kaleb Carr, Matthew Pearl, Orson Scott Card, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Steve Berry, Alton Gansky, Daniel Silva, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Each, in his own way, taught Ian how to craft stories that stay alive long after the last page is turned.
Current Projects and What’s Next
Ian is already deep into the sequel, titled Escape from Marrakesh. He’s passed the 16,000-word mark and promises fans another witty, genre-bending ride filled with sharp humor and unexpected turns.
At the same time, he’s researching how to expand The Escape Clause’s reach and exploring ways to publish it with additional outlets beyond Amazon. His dream? To build a loyal audience that loves his offbeat blend of laughter, suspense, and imagination.
Learning the Art of Book Promotion
Like many first-time authors, Ian admits that book marketing feels like a brand-new frontier. “No clue yet,” he laughs. “This is my first book, first promotion big learning curve.”
But he’s quickly picking up strategies and sharing resources that have helped him learn faster.
Advice for New Authors
Ian’s advice for aspiring writers is refreshingly honest:
“Never expect to learn everything there is to know about writing. Always be open to learning about craft, publishing, and marketing.”
He also recommends a few favorite resources that helped him on his journey:
- Authors Publish – Free writing opportunities and expert guidance.
- Reedsy – Find editors, designers, and great free articles for writers.
- Kindlepreneur – Excellent resource for selling books on Amazon.
- 100 Covers – Affordable, professional book cover design.
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody – How screenwriting structure can power novels.
- Writing 21st Century Fiction by Donald Maass – A masterclass in creating emotional, risk-taking stories.
The Best Advice He’s Ever Heard
One simple quote stays with Ian:
“When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do.”
That mindset pushed him to finally write the book he’d always dreamed of. Pursue your goals, he says, as long as they stay within your ethics and values because creative risks often lead to the best rewards.
What He’s Reading Now
Ian recently finished Cixin Liu’s trilogy, ending with Death’s End. He’s currently reading The Last Secret Agent: My Life as a Spy Behind Nazi Lines by Pippa Latour, and re-reading Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey, which he calls “the best sci-fi series ever written. Period.”
Looking Ahead as a Writer
Ian hopes to turn his passion for storytelling into a sustainable career or at least a lifelong creative adventure. He jokes that he wants to write “right up until someone leans over my bed and asks who my Power of Attorney is.”
His focus now is finding the readers who will appreciate his quirky mix of humor, horror, and heart.
Books He Would Bring to a Desert Island
When asked which books he’d bring if stranded, Ian laughs:
“Three or four? How about three or four dozen?”
As a lifelong reader, he could never settle for just a few.
Learn More About Ian McKellar Adams
Connect with Ian and explore his work here:
- Website: Ian McKellar Adams Website
- Amazon Author Page: Ian McKellar Adams Amazon Profile
Ian McKellar Adams is a rising voice in sci-fi comedy and storytelling. His debut novel, The Escape Clause, invites readers to laugh, imagine, and lose themselves in a world where monsters have lawyers and even zombies need representation.
