Gus Grenfell
Home address:
Bheinn Ard, Lochranza, Isle of Arran, KA27 8JF, ScotlandTelephone:
01770 830622Fax:
01770 830622Email:
gusmyth@phonecoop.coopWebsite:
www.gusgrenfell.co.ukBRAW network:
yesLL funded:
yesBiography:
Gus Grenfell’s family hails from Dunbar, but Gus lived in a number of different places when he was a lad – East Anglia, Lancashire, County Durham – and spent most of his adult life (so far!) in West Yorkshire, where many of his stories are set. He now stays on the Isle of Arran overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound and the Kintyre Peninsula, with his wife Tessa – who is a textile artist – three cats and a dog.He had many jobs before deciding on a writing career, including building society director, market researcher, folk musician and a teacher working, at different times, with school refusers, adults with learning difficulties and grammar school students. This work was often part time, as he and his wife ran a smallholding where they produced most of their own food – growing vegetables; raising cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry – and six children.
He likes to go walking in the hills, and gets involved in art and music when time allows. He has an as yet unfulfilled desire to be a blues/rock singer.
About writer's work:
I usually write stories that are firmly grounded in historic times and real places, but strangeness, fantasy and danger always lurk below the surface. It helps if I know a place well and have absorbed some of its history, language and character, which is why it has taken some years for a Scottish influence to seep into my writing, but it is there in some of my short stories now, and in the planning for forthcoming novels. Most of my stories and novels are aimed at the 9-13 age group, though they seem to appeal to older readers too. My poetry is generally for younger readers.
About writer's events and projects:
I enjoy talking about my work and giving readings, and doing creative workshops. As a former teacher I am comfortable with young people, and find school visits stimulating – and good fun. I hope my audiences think likewise! Because I live on an island, one-off events are more feasible than, say, a series of workshops, but a series of individual visits over a number of days can be accommodated. I can visit any local authority in Scotland, though accommodation will be required if I can’t catch the last ferry back to Arran!
Language:
EnglishAge groups:
9-12, Teens, AdultsBooks written
Meg is a Maker, pouring life into the wooden dolls she carves. Accused of witchcraft, she flees to Halifax, only to find her father in jail, facing death by the gibbet. Desperate to save him, she ...
