Andrew J. Kingston

I was born in Luton, England in the 1960s. This was a long time ago; a long time before the internet, bagged salad and pocket calculators.

 

I grew up a serious, introverted child obsessed with death and terrified with the notion of an all-seeing God, especially if that was the root to being anything like Woody Allen or Graham Greene.. I found it difficult to relate to kids my own age as a teenager, as many teenagers do. And as many adults do for that matter. I still don't understand teenagers. Or adults. Happily, my music and entertainments are "all at sea", looking back rather than forward and helping me navigate and stay grounded.

 

I started reading in Sixth Form after being told I wasn't up to University and immersed myself in quality 'literary fare', including the Beat writers, Kurt Vonnegut, Thomas Pynchon, Gunter Grass, Paul Auster, PG Wodehouse and Graham Greene. 

 

I've slightly broadened my tastes since - my favourite list now includes some lady writers - Patricia Highsmith, Iris Murdoch, Siri Hustvedt and Anne Tyler - although it's still pretty conservative.

 

In 2005, I was chosen as one of a number of writers to have their stories published in Junction 10, which, it was hoped, would help improve the image of my home town, Luton. It didn't. I remember the thrill of getting in print being diminished by my back "seizing up" on the way down to the bookshop where we were given a glass of fizz and lined up in front of the local press. Still, it was a picture and one in which my literary credentials were on show. Regrettably, my head was chosen for a jauntily angled cartoon boater, for the weekly "find that hidden hat" competition.

 

I can't remember when I started writing, but I've never been prolific. I would like to be, but full-time work and being in bands mitigate against this. I can claim, however, to involvement in the Guinness World Book of Record listed Luton Haiku project, as well as having contributed to Clod Magazine since its inception in 1987.