It is always difficult to write an ‘author biography’ especially when I don’t yet qualify. But I feel – at least from looking at other blogs – this is somewhat of a requirement. So I’ll keep it brief.
As a child I grew up fascinating by the myths and legends of Greek, Roman, Norse and Egyptian mythology, capturing my imagination and inspiring many foolhardy adventures. This childhood passion has evolved as I’ve discovered that my home country of Ireland has an equally (if not more) captivating canon of myths and legends. Not merely the leprechaun and pots of gold cliches, but of the Red Branch warriors, of mighty Cú Chulainn and the Tuatha Dé Danann (Irish pantheon). It is this rich heritage that I draw on as I have tentatively set out on my writing journey to become an author of historical fiction.
Now I’m not going to pretend to speak Irish (no matter what Duolingo may say about my score!), but I have made something of a career out of research. Bringing these stories to life is a genuine passion and one which this website is devoted to. My main writing project is an Irish historical fiction book on Iron Age Ireland. It’s a work in progress and I’ll post occasional reflections and research here as it develops.
Not always a writer
By way of background, I have worked in British politics, as an academic specialising in terrorism and conflict analysis, an analyst in the British civil service and, most recently, a technology consultant. I have also cleaned hospital toilets, dish-washed in an ice-cream parlour, cared for plants at a garden centre, and even had a stint as a ‘shepherd’. Make of that way you will. Not really a typically author biography.
As eclectic as my professional background is, my writing will often veer into a wide range of topics beyond the theme of Irish history. I have written on politics and conflict as an academic so will occasionally touch on these topics. For those brave enough to delve into the lifeless world of academic writing see more on this in my publications.
My Christian faith is an important part of my identity, one which inevitably shapes what and how I write. I rarely will overtly include references to it, but feel it’s important to acknowledge publicly and from the beginning.
Finally, writing is wholly vulnerable and so posting anything is a challenge. I do it though because I love and welcome feedback. To develop (and I will need to develop) as an author I appreciate your thoughts and reflections. If you take the time to engage with me I will always take the time to respond.
To see more on my writing see recent blog posts here or my publications here.
Find me on Twitter (X) here