Chris Matravers

 

I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled the world and my books draw extensively on those life experiences; many scenes are built on memories of places visited, people met and activities witnessed and shared. Research Biologist, Salesman, Barman, IT Specialist, Expedition Diver, Van Driver are just some of the jobs that have sustained and enriched me.​

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My books are not just about plots and characters – yes, I want to entertain and thrill but I also try, and I hope I succeed, to explore some of the major scientific, social and political challenges of today.

 

​Potted CV....

 

I live and work in West Sussex and divide my time between writing, enjoying life with my family and playing tennis and golf with my friends. But before that....

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• Screwing up all my final school exams taught me that failure is an option – but not necessarily one to be feared. When I finally made it to university I stayed for 9 years, the last three as a post-doc research biologist. The experience revealed to me that while I loved the subject I was not cut out for academia, or poverty.

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• A move to join a major IT company surprised those around me but it seemed like a good idea at the time, and so it proved to be – enabling my wife and I to see more of the world, as we raised three daughters.

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• I'd been writing for years, before getting published. It's my hobby - and my sanctuary and solace when I need it. 

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Things I think, or have even been heard to say about why I write:

 

• “One thing I know is that writing is good for the soul… if not for the wallet.”

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• “For me, writing is about sharing one’s imagination – to give enjoyment, to challenge norms and preconceptions, to go in search of answers… If ever I achieve any or all of these, I’ll be a happy man.”

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• “Writing keeps me sane when life threatens to pull me under. I consider myself lucky that a steadily increasing quality of rejection letters raised me up until … Well, here I am, now…”