Born by caesarean section in village hospital in Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia. 1950s childhood spent in remote African settlements. Schooling in Rhodesian military-style boarding school. Sent back to England in late 1960s. More boarding schools ensued. Thought to be educationally subnormal for a while but actually this was profound alienation.

Stumbled into red brick university with minimal A levels to read English and American literature. Woke up to an awareness of literature and ideas and to a world where the young were in ferment. Travelled to France and lived in a commune near Nice. Went to a Texas university in post-Vietnam US, teaching and studying for research degree in literature.

Returned to England and have lived there ever since. Completed PhD on work of Nabokov, funded research by working nights in petrol stations then abandoned the academic world and worked through the 80s as a professional gardener, arborist and furniture restorer. At night, hung out in the club scene, supported self by writing magazine articles and doing translations under a variety of names.

Studied hypnotherapy and psychoanalytic texts. Started to work in the field of mental health and received training in community work and therapeutics. Worked for 15 years in senior clinical roles in acute mental health and forensic mental health including two years at a High Secure Hospital.

Currently living in run-down rented rooms in city suburbs believing like Diogenes that a man should be weighed by what he can do without.