Southampton Author Celebrates 30th Novel After 15 Years of 5am Starts

Bestselling psychological thriller writer M A Hunter publishes milestone novel The New Mother, inspired by his fascination with dark secrets, suspense and the psychology of fear.

A Hampshire author who began writing after his family were burgled on holiday in Spain has celebrated an extraordinary literary milestone – publishing his 30th novel while continuing to juggle his writing career with a full-time day job.

Bestselling psychological thriller author M A Hunter, who also writes under his real name Stephen Edger, has spent more than 15 years rising at 5am every morning to write for two hours before starting work at 8am.

The remarkable routine has enabled him to produce two to three novels a year, building a successful publishing career with major publishers including HarperCollins’ One More Chapter, Bookouture and Boldwood Books.

His milestone 30th novel, The New Mother, is published today (Monday 9 November), bringing his trademark psychological suspense to a fictional village in Hampshire’s New Forest.

Yet despite his impressive literary output, Stephen says his ultimate ambition remains the same: to earn enough from writing to give up his day job and become a full-time novelist.

His unlikely journey into publishing began in 2010, when a family holiday in Spain took an unexpected turn after burglars targeted their accommodation.

Already an avid reader and fan of psychological thrillers, Stephen found himself imagining how the frightening experience could become the opening of a novel.

Although his first attempt failed to secure a publishing deal, it ignited a determination to keep writing.

Stephen said: “That burglary was the spark that started everything. I’d always loved thrillers, but suddenly I had an idea for a story of my own.

“My first novel wasn’t published, but finishing it proved to me that I had the imagination and discipline to write a book. I knew then that I wanted to keep going.

“I established a routine of getting up at 5am every morning, giving myself two hours to write before the family woke up and before starting my day job at 8am.

“Fifteen years later, that routine has helped me reach 30 novels. There have been plenty of early mornings, setbacks and rejections along the way, but I still love creating stories and finding new ways to surprise readers.”

Stephen’s persistence eventually paid off with publishing deals through Bookouture and HarperCollins’ One More Chapter. After signing with literary agent Emily Glenister at the DHH Literary Agency, he went on to secure further deals with Boldwood Books.

His bestselling psychological thrillers include The Teacher’s Pet and The Woman on Platform 8, published as M A Hunter, alongside Snatched and Little Girl Gone, written as Stephen Edger.

His latest novel, The New Mother, explores the terrifying secrets lurking beneath the surface of an apparently idyllic family home.

Set in the New Forest, the story follows pregnant Rachel and her husband Jamie, who believe they have found their forever home. But when they discover that the previous owner murdered her family in the basement, their dream turns into a nightmare.

Having stretched themselves financially to buy the property, the couple cannot simply walk away. As they prepare for the arrival of their baby, they must confront the possibility that some secrets refuse to stay buried.

The novel offers a psychological take on the traditional haunted-house story, exploring how fear, trauma and the past can transform even the safest places into something sinister.

Stephen, who was diagnosed as autistic and with combined ADHD later in life, also speaks openly about the role neurodivergence plays in his creative process.

He credits his ability to recognise patterns and sustain intense focus with helping him construct the intricate plots, twists and psychological puzzles that have become hallmarks of his fiction.

Stephen added: “I believe writing is what I was born to do. My dream has always been to earn enough from my books to pay the bills, so I can devote myself to writing full-time.

“Sometimes that feels more like a pipe dream than a realistic ambition, but reaching 30 novels reminds me how far I’ve come.

“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved, but I’m not finished yet. I’ll keep getting up at 5am and writing stories for as long as I can.”

With his 30th novel now published, Stephen hopes his story will encourage other aspiring writers not to give up on their ambitions, however difficult it may be to find the time.

M A Hunter hosts and moderates author talks, panels and events with the Coastal Crime Presents speaker series in partnership with Southampton Libraries.  He is scheduled to appear at the Coastal Crime Festival at the Royal Hotel Grand Harbour in Southampton on March 6 2027 alongside 50 authors.  www.coastalcrime.org