My name is David, but most people insist on calling me Dave. Guess I'll just have to be a fuckin' Dave then.
I am an international bestselling author of psychological suspense novels. I have also taught creative writing for an amount of years you wouldn’t believe judging by my fresh little face. Look at that picture of me head there… cute or wha’?
From inner city Dublin to middle England. Quite literally.
My name is David, or Dave as everyone insists on calling me for some reason. I’m not a fan of being called Dave, but nobody seems to give a shit. I was brought up in Dublin, but now reside in Birmingham, England with my wife Kerry and our daughter Lola.
I am an author. I used to be a journalist. For 15 years I worked on the sports desks of national newspapers but I was also an award-winning music reviewer and at one stage I even wrote one of those cheesy celebrity two-page spread columns in a Sunday tabloid. That was fun! I tried to write fiction while I was a journalist… but it wasn’t easy. However, when I did finally hang up my dictaphone, I fell into line in terms of disciplining myself and – four months later – I managed to finish my first novel. I signed a three-book publishing deal off the back of that manuscript and then realised I was unlikely to make much money taking the traditional publishing route. On my first day as an independent author, I made more money than I had made in six months with my publisher. I have since sold over 360,000 novels, and I have been a number one bestselling author in Ireland, the UK, Canada and Australia—making six figure turnovers year on year.
I am an educator. I have taught Creative Writing at Coventry University, at Rathmines College in Dublin, and at Camphill Grammar school (one of the top one per cent of schools in the UK apparently). I’m a fully qualified teacher (what fun getting that qualification was!) and began teaching creative writing in 2006. To become a full-time author, I pressed pause on being a journalist and educator at the tail end of 2018, though I still thoroughly enjoy teaching and now do so online—with courses specifically sculptured to help independent authors master not only their craft, but their business.
I am a podcast host. In 2022, my buddy, Robert Enright, and I co-founded the Two Indie Authors Podcast in which we discuss and digest, weekly, the processes we undergo in writing and marketing our bestselling novels.
"My approach to helping authors is to cut out any semblance of bullshit."
I adopted the moniker ‘The Open Author’ in 2019 when I decided it would be advantageous to be totally transparent about my authoring career.
Since then, I have been open to my readers to contact me to discuss their thoughts on any of my novels. I am also totally open to the author community as a whole—keen to pass on all I have learned to assist the next generation of independent authors.
Inside this website, you will find details of how to contact me once, of course, you have figured out where you are in your author career and where you want to get to. I have a strong history and many, many memorable experiences of working with authors (a lot of crazy-ass stories). My approach to helping authors is to cut out any semblance of bullshit. Hence the brand name…
You can work with me on a one-to-one basis in which I will aim to turn your stagnant author career into a highly-profitable business. Or, you may opt to take one of my courses which are valued specifically so that any author, at any point in their career, can afford the purchase. While I could have charged thousands of pounds (and, if I’m being totally honest, open and transparent, I was going to charge thousands of pounds when I first started designing these courses), I have decided not to after working closer with the indie author community through my podcast. I figured out that these courses had to be made affordable to all authors…
I love helping you write, because I know how good it feels to write.
“David has a real talent as a storyteller. He is a great new voice in fiction..”
John A. Marley, Renowned author
“I appreciate David's straightforward approach; he's very clear about why he's suggested changes and does it in a warm and encouraging way. I would certainly recommend him and hope he'll be working on my next book”
AJ Waines, international bestselling author
“Less gifted editors - I know because I've met them - attempt to shape a manuscript in their likeness, rather than bringing focus and, where needed, direction to what is already on the page. David brings both”
Owen Mullen, No. 1 Bestselling Author
“David is a pleasure to work with. The straightforward and no nonsense approach he uses is something I greatly appreciate. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”
AB Morgan, critically-acclaimed author
“David is an author to watch out for. He really is an outstanding craftsman in the thriller genre. A passionate writer with a gift for the craft”
Andrew Barrett, No.1 Bestselling author
“David is an inspiring teacher. His contemporary course content is delivered in an accessible, relevant and challenging format to his students. His classes are always interactive and he applies a most conscientious approach”
Niamh Ward, Head of Media, Rathmines College
"What a fantastic, intense, addictive, and incredibly clever read which definitely left me guessing until the very last page"
The Writing Garnet, Book Reviewer
“David teaches creative writing through personal experience. He delivered an excellent seminar and workshop on the unreliable narrator at Coventry University.”
Poppy Sall, former student of David Lyons
“He doesn’t use any fluffy academic terms, he speaks to you as if you are a peer and he has a great ability to make you believe you really can achieve your dream of becoming an author”
David Newman, former student of David Lyons
“His feedback was very helpful - clearly explaining why he was suggesting the changes he had. I was very lucky to work with David and would happily do so again”
Rebecca Muddiman, critically-acclaimed author
“David has a unique narrative approach to his writing that ensures readers are gripped to the page. I swallow his books in one sitting”
Sharon Thompson, No.1 Bestselling author
“He cuts through the gristle and gets to the heart of your manuscript, providing an incisive critique of everything from overarching plot structure to syntax”
M.R. Mackenzie, critically-acclaimed Author
“It was great working with David. He's very thorough and professional and made the whole editing experience hugely pleasurable”
Sibel Hodge, Renowned author
“David is an entertaining and informative speaker and our students have been highly gratified to have an author working at the cutting edge of contemporary crime writing leading their workshop”
Tim Kelly, course director of Professional Creative Writing, Coventry University
“David’s corrections, observations and advice are immensely helpful, and ultimately greatly enhanced the finished novel. I would therefore highly recommend his services”
NM Brown, critically-acclaimed author
“I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David's nor teachers who can connect with their students with such natural ease.”
Dr. John Keenan, Senior Lecturer in Education, Newman University
“David is an inspiring teacher. His Creative Writing teaching is very much centred on the student”
Martin Garrod, Headteacher - King Edward VI school, Camphill
“I consider myself very fortunate to have had David edit my debut novel. He was quick, efficient and reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him. .”
CS Savage, critically-acclaimed author
“Told in short chapters from each character’s viewpoint, David B. Lyons’ debut thriller is neatly plotted and has a devastating twist in its tail”
Myles McWeeney, Literary critic - Irish Independent
“Lyons wrote a high-octane page-turner that’ll leave you guessing right until the end”
Brian Carroll, Irish Mail on Sunday
“David was named winner of the Most Promising Author of the Year last year. His writing is amazing!”
Rubina Gomes, Book blogger and reviewer
“He is a highly skilled and talented editor. I greatly appreciated his insightful and constructive feedback which both motivated and encouraged me”
CM Stephenson, critically-acclaimed author
"If you’re looking for a high quality editor you really don’t need to look any further."
John Nicholl, critically-acclaimed author
“David has professionally edited four of my books and I’ve been delighted with the results every time. He has a collaborative style that is both supportive and encouraging”
Rob Ashman, No. 1 Bestselling Author