Head of procurement by day and Amazon best-selling author by night, Uniting’s Chris Heptinstall recently sat down with PASA to discuss his Sam Jardine Crime Conspiracy Thriller series.
Chris, who writes under the pseudonym Christopher Hepworth, is the award-winning author of five popular novels, including The Sleepwalker Legacy, The Wulff Agenda, The Last Oracle, Tusker and Cavalier.
Read on to learn why procurement professionals make great novelists, where Chris gets his ideas from and what’s coming next!
PASA: Is it true that the hero of your novels is a procurement manager?
Chris: Absolutely. My philosophy is that everyone in procurement is a hero. Sam Jardine, the protagonist of the Sam Jardine Crime Conspiracy Thriller series, starts out as a procurement manager and, by the fourth book, is running his own company. He’s a hero in the James Bond mould, as capable in a boardroom negotiation as he is in a street fight. If John Grisham can make the legal profession glamorous, then I believe procurement deserves its time in the spotlight. Three of my books reached the Amazon Top Ten (albeit briefly), and two were awarded silver medals by Readers’ Favorite.
P: Is this a world first?
C: To my knowledge, only two other novels feature a procurement manager as the central character, and neither are thrillers. Both are standalone books. So yes, I think this may be a first for our profession.
P: What or who inspired you to start writing?
C: I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. The real catalyst came when I was passed over for a global head of procurement role. Instead of dwelling on it, I redirected the energy I would have used flying around the world into writing a novel.
P: How do you fit writing into your busy day-to-day life?
C: It takes discipline. I used to read during my train commute, but now I write instead. I arrive at work around 7:15 am and write for an hour before the workday begins. In the evenings, I spend another hour on the book while the family relaxes in front of the television. Sometimes the story becomes so absorbing that I can’t wait to get back to it after work.
P: Have you considered writing full-time instead of working in procurement?
C: Not seriously. The average income for a full-time novelist in Australia is $18,200, which is less than JobSeeker. More importantly, I enjoy my job and believe procurement is the best profession in the world. Being in the office, interacting with colleagues and dealing with real challenges helps spark ideas for my writing. It keeps the characters and dialogue grounded in reality.
“If John Grisham can make the legal profession glamorous, then I believe procurement deserves its time in the spotlight.”
— Christopher Hepworth
P: How long does it take to complete a book? What are the best and most difficult parts?
C: It usually takes around two years from concept to publication. The hardest part is the first draft. Even Stephen King won’t let anyone read his first versions. The goal is to get the story down quickly, then shape it through seven or eight rewrites. The most enjoyable part is the editing; when the plot tightens, the characters deepen and the book really starts to come to life.
P: Can you explain the story behind your pseudonym?
C: Christopher Heptinstall is a bit of a mouthful. I was born in the Yorkshire village of Hepworth while my father was working for a company called Hepworth Ceramics. “Hepworth” felt more memorable, yet still connected to my real name. I picked it long before Chris Hemsworth became a household name!
P: How would you describe your books and writing style?
C: My books are fast-paced, international thrillers with layers of corporate intrigue, historical detail and modern political relevance. At the heart of each story is Sam Jardine, a procurement professional and negotiator who uses strategy and diplomacy to face global threats. My writing style is designed to appeal to readers who enjoy complex stories with a mix of action, mystery, romance and ethical dilemmas.
P: Where do you get your ideas?
C: I’m fascinated by conspiracy theories, social injustice, global politics and shady corporate dealings. I often build plots around real-world events, reimagining them through a thriller lens.
I enjoy creating stories where the underdog rises, justice is served and bad actors get their comeuppance.
P: Do you use any procurement skills in your life as an author? Is there any overlap?
C: Definitely. Procurement professionals are naturally curious, highly literate, deadline-driven and skilled in managing relationships. Those qualities are incredibly useful when writing.
We’re also problem solvers, which helps when untangling a complex plot. One of my personal goals is to raise the public profile of procurement, and if my books contribute to that, then I’m proud to be part of the effort.
P: What’s one writing rule you believe in? Is there one you think is made to be broken?
C: A book should be engaging from the first page to the last. Any slow scenes or uninteresting characters should be cut during editing, but I don’t believe in sticking to rigid formulas. Every book should develop in style and ambition. That’s how you avoid becoming stale as a writer.
“Procurement professionals are naturally curious, highly literate, deadline-driven and skilled in managing relationships – perfect training for a novelist.”
— Christopher Hepworth
P: Do you identify with any of your characters? Do you have a favourite?
C: I most identify with Sam Jardine. I’ve woven elements of my own background – growing up in Zambia, attending boarding school, working in the pharmaceutical industry – into his story. I also invest a lot into my female characters. I make them strong, intelligent and central to the plot. I believe that if I don’t care about them, the reader won’t either. That said, I also enjoy writing strong female villains for balance.
P: If your books were adapted for screen, who would you cast in the lead roles?
C: Chris Hemsworth would make an excellent Sam Jardine. For the leading female role, I’d choose Sian Brooke, who’s brilliant in British dramas like Blue Lights.
P: What do you hope readers take away from your books?
C: Each book usually carries a theme – whether it’s about environmental exploitation, political corruption or social injustice – but more than anything, I want readers to be entertained and transported by the story.
P: What’s the best compliment you’ve received as an author?
C: A judge from the Readers’ Favorite awards wrote:
“I love historical novels, but Cavalier by Christopher Hepworth offers so much more. His characters, all of whom are relatable – both good and bad – come to life. I was glued to every page and couldn’t put the book down, even for meals or sleep. This is a book I will read again, and I highly recommend it to fans of a great story, brilliantly told.”
That’s the kind of feedback that makes all the effort worthwhile.
P: What advice would you give someone who wants to write?
C: Appoint a ‘project manager’ – someone you respect and who enjoys your writing. Share your deadlines with them. I rarely miss mine because I don’t want to let them down.
P: What are you working on next?
C: My next book is The 51st State. The title will be familiar to anyone watching current events in the United States, but the plot also includes a historical twist inspired by the life and work of Nikola Tesla. It’s shaping up to be my most ambitious novel yet.
All five novels are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format. You can also download free sample chapters via the author’s website.
