Gareth’s three Young Adult novels for Random House - The Great Harlequin Grim, Sunshine to the Sunless, and The Anarchist’s Angel - have earned him instant critical acclaim. Each story is set in a different season, and all are based in Cumbria. Gareth offers a modern take on Lake District life, away from the glossy tourist brochures. The novels show Gareth’s passion for his local area and his love of the region’s dramatic landscapes. These gripping and often touching dramas are for readers to devour and savour.
'A splendid writer' The Bookseller
'Gareth Thompson’s fiction writing is arguably like no other Cumbrian’s. His work does not
contemplate the smoochy beauty of the Lakes, he reflects on its darker and more dangerous
qualities… with lots of love and laughs wedged in'
Lakeland Echo
‘Gareth tells it as he sees it, with his incisive, skilfully crafted books that tread the
fine line between teenage and adult fiction’
Adrian Mullen, Westmorland Gazette
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I grew up in northern England and live in Kendal, Cumbria. After leaving school,
I worked in London’s music industry as a researcher and journalist. Later, I worked
for charities such as MENCAP and OXFAM, then got involved with environmental action groups.
I came back to Cumbria, and started writing about the county from a realistic standpoint.
I wanted to focus on the more unusual landscapes in my region - and to portray life in
Cumbria today, with its elements of rural isolation, low-wage economy and family problems.
I once interviewed the playwright Mark Ravenhill, and asked him… ‘When you sit down to write, who are you actually writing for?’ He explained that he wrote for himself, first and foremost, and a potential audience later. Likewise, I try and write the kind of stories I grew up with, and never really grew out of. I’ve always enjoyed films and books that deal with rites-of-passage and coming-of-age. I admire movies like Kes, The Cement Garden, Napoleon Dynamite, Ratcatcher, The Son’s Room and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? They show unusual, even slightly unreal, visions of youth and childhood. And the same with books such as Cruddy – Lynda Barry; Revenant – Tristan Hughes; The Ice Palace – Tarjei Vesaas; The Republic of Trees – Sam Taylor; Steal You Away/I’m Not Scared/Crossroads – Niccola Ammaniti; Girl Goddess No. 9 - Francesca Lia Block; A Swift Pure Cry - Siobhan Dowd; The Wish House – Celia Rees; The Goalkeeper’s Revenge – Bill Naughton.
Although my three books to date have male narrators, there’s always a love story involving a strong female character. The dramas often feature outcasts or outsiders, who have a right to be heard like everyone else.
Music is important to my characters - and to me, as my original (failed!) ambition was to be a rock star. I love the northern acts who inspire me - from The Smiths to Doves, from Elbow to British Sea Power. And the sparser acoustic sounds I’ve collected down the years – from Nick Drake to Bon Iver, from Suzanne Vega to Midlake.
But most of all, it’s the people and places around me that provide a constant inspiration. ‘Drawing together the romantic landscape of the poets, with the tensions of contemporary Cumbria,’ as The Guardian neatly put it when featuring me.
EVENTS
Audience
I'm happy to visit schools, libraries and reading groups in the UK. I will speak to
young students and/or adults aged 13+ and am happy with audiences from 10-100,
depending on the type of event.
Format
I often like to accompany my readings with PowerPoint presentations, where a
screen/projector are available. These feature dramatic landscape shots connected to
the books. I open with an introductory talk, and then read extracts from one or
more of my novels. The talk and signings last for 45 minutes to one hour. I will
discuss why I decided to be a writer, what inspires me, and take any questions or
comments.
Costs/Expenses
Can be negotiated depending on place and circumstance. If you would like to book
an event or require further information, please e-mail me:
gareththompson_author@hotmail.co.uk
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Email: gareththompson_author@hotmail.co.uk
Copyright Gareth Thompson 2009.