It's epic fantasy I write now, the 'Words of Power' series - colorful, multicultural high fantasy, in the spirit of Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin. Otherwise...
Ritchie Valentine Smith was once a social worker, once a poet, and once on the BBC ‘New Talent’ program. His interest in fantasy and SF started when he was a boy on Tyneside fascinated by alternate realities. His work appeared in anthologies with the likes of Keith Roberts, Brian Aldiss and Robert Holdstock. His interest in the East was fuelled when he read Clavell’s masterpiece ‘Shogun’. He is still a member of the Crime Writers’ Association (having done three thrillers in the 90s). His play 'Rocket Man' was on at the Pleasance (Edinburgh) and the Union Theatre (London) where it won a Peter Brook Award for its producers. He wrote and also produced 'Kiss' in 2012, showcasing the play in London. He has worked as a reviewer for www.edinburghguide.com, covering stand-up comedy and theatre on the Edinburgh Fringe.
He now reviews SF and fantasy for the British Fantasy Society. In 2014 he published the first in his series of fantasy novels 'Words of Power'. In 2016 came ‘Words of Fury’, recently heavily revised, with ‘Words of Fury Part One’ available at low cost on Kindle only. This sequence will be extended by ‘Words of Anger’ then ‘Words of Darkness’ and completed by ‘Words of Light’. For research, the author has travelled extensively. He was in the Middle East – coming down from Israel's Masada when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait – to India, and of course to Japan.
He is, famously, a fan of the late Robert Jordan. You can find out more about him and his work at www.ritchievalentinesmith.com