I've always been drawn to American writing - as an Englishman, once you've savoured the sheer modernity and size of the American word/world, it is difficult to go back to UK books. Of course there are giant everywhere, and I've dipped into many, but those who influenced me most are The Beats (partic. Kerouac/Ginsberg/Cassidy), Richard Brautigan (was crazy about him for quite a while), but also Americanised authors such as Knut Hamson. I have a soft spot for Primo Levi. And D.H Lawrence of course.

Few writing achievements really - very busy working full time and being a dad of two! But managed to get published last year twice.

- Short Story 'War' published on Wordriot.org (march 2006) - it's still there! - Poem 'Whenever it's too sad' published on CHANGE Issue 2, Brautigan+, pg 14ish.