Winner of the Federation of Writers (Scotland) short story competition, 2023.

I am a Scottish writer who spent fifteen years teaching in international schools, before becoming ill and having to return home. Not one to remain idle, I turned to the Open University where I studied creative writing, completing both courses with distinction, and discovering a new passion. I have since written five books, four under the pen name of F J Curlew, but I have now reverted to using my given name.
I find it difficult to be content without a work in progress. That escape into a world of my own making is something very special! Before the Swallows Come Back was sparked by a meeting I had with a Tinker family many years ago, in rural Perthshire. They invited me to sit by their fire, outside their bender, and listen to stories. It was fascinating, inspirational and never left me.
The conservation of natural habitats and their wildlife is hugely important to me (yes, I am a bit of an eco-warrior!) and the Tinkers and their way of life seemed to lend themselves to carrying this theme.