|
Introduction
After several years teaching at a variety of institutions
in Britain, the USA, the Middle East and Sri Lanka, Stewart
Ross became a full-time writer eleven years ago. With over
175 published titles to his credit, in a remarkably short
time he has become one of Britain’s most popular and versatile
authors.
As well
as prize-winning books for children, both fiction and non-fiction,
he has written two popular novels, two plays, two librettos,
and several widely acclaimed historical works, particularly
on Scotland. His books, several of which are illustrated
with his own photographs, have been translated into about
a dozen languages.
Current
projects include a third adult novel, five volumes in Hodder's
Survivors series of children's historical fiction, more
volumes in their Stories From History for young children,
several other historical stories and works of non-fiction,
a Jubilee revue, and a musical with Paul Englishby (musical
director of Captain Corelli's Mandolin'). A frequent lecturer,
notably on the QE2, and occasional journalist and broadcaster,
Stewart lives near Canterbury with his wife and four children.
Each morning escapes domestic hubbub by commuting ten metres
to work in a large hut in the garden.
Biography
I look back on my school days with a mixture of horror (at
the way we were treated and the way I behaved) and delight
(on being introduced to beautiful literature). Later I tried
various jobs, including part time probation officer and
dustman, before becoming a teacher and working in Sri Lanka,
the USA, Saudi Arabia and, finally, England. All along,
I wanted to be a writer.
The
first book I wrote has not been published. Yet. My first
published book (lousy) appeared in I983. Those that followed
were better and I became a full time writer in 1989. It
was the best decision I've ever made. I’ve now had about
15O books published (I've lost count), most for children
but also fiction and non-fiction for adults, a couple of
plays, the words of a piece for voice and orchestra music
by Paul Englishby).
My books
have been translated into many languages and have won prizes.
All very flattering, but my best book is still to come.
Recently, I've been writing more historical fiction, a genre
that interests me enormously because it combines my twin
passions of history and Literature. The most luxurious perk
of my job is lecturing on the QE2 liner
|
|
