Andrew K. Lawston

Andrew K. Lawston has at various times been a writer, actor, director, teacher, journalist, academic, salesman, publisher, editor, designer (that was a weird day), cinema manager, film extra and till monkey. His first job was working in an independent bookshop aged 16, and he at least had the foresight to know that it would all be downhill from there.

Andrew writes quirky comedy fiction over a variety of genres. His writing is infused with the kind of worldview that comes from watching a lot of French cinema and Doctor Who (not necessarily in that order), and reading a lot of Pratchett, Dickens and Shakespeare. It's often dark, sometimes disturbing, always unpredictable, and occasionally very funny. Ever wondered what would happen if a small boy got into an abusive relationship with the demonic clown hiding under his bed? So did he, unfortunately.

With a degree in French, Andrew also translates classic French books, most notably Casanova's account of his escape from Venice prison in 1755, and the Chantecoq series of pulp detective novels.

Andrew has now largely retired from acting, but in 2018 he was a finalist in the Arts Richmond New Plays Festival with his short play "Matrexit".

He lives in London with a lovely wife and a crime-solving cat.