About the Author

Born on Boxing Day in 1961, at home at 52 Greenway Road, in a snow blanketed Runcorn, to Brenda and Bill. The younger brother to Stephen by 7 years.

Educated at Runcorn schools Victoria Road Infants and Westfield Juniors, and Helsby Grammar School for Boys.

Worked for the Civil Service before returning to full time education at Mid Cheshire College, then Oxford Polytechnic (now Brookes University).

Moved to London and had various IT support and training jobs whilst living for spells in Sydenham, Guildford and Crystal Palace and having a great time.

From education and work gained qualifications: ECDL, TEFL, Diploma in Accounting Studies, BTEC in Computer Studies.

Traveled extensively in Europe, mainly Scandinavia, Germany and France. Also in Jordan and Mongolia. Took a year out to travel in Australia (Sydney, Uluru, Brisbane, Barrier Reef)  the U.S.A. (California, Grand Canyon, Minnesota, New England) and to go tall-ship sailing, Cornwall to Madeira and in the Pacific, Panama, Cocos Islands, Galapagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn, Marquesas, Tahiti.

Started to fulfill long term writing ambitions with the publication of The Long Circle in 2005 and have written extensively since then, enjoying some success - see the Writing History page.

I intend to carry on writing and would love to work at it full time or be involved in education or training in some capacity.

Other general interests:

Music, a wide taste in blues based rock or 'World Music' artists. Gig highlights - Rolling Stones at Brixton Academy, Robert Plant at Green Man, Wilko Johnson anywhere, Ali Farka Toure at WOMAD, Christy Moore at Cambridge, Nick Cave in Manchester and Sheffield, Peter Gabriel in Manchester and Liverpool, Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara at Byd Mawr.

Guitar, learning to play. In July 2008 I attended a WOMAD guitar tuition week taught by Justin Adams and N'Faly Kouyate which included playing a gig, sharing the stage with Justin Adams, Juldeh Camara, N'Faly Kouyate and Billy Cobham.

Rugby League, fan of Widnes Vikings (season ticket holder). See you in the North Stand.

Yoga, I strongly recommend it.

Walking, mainly in the Lake District, Wales, Peak District. Have also trekked in the US, including in (and thankfully out of) the Grand Canyon.

Real Ale pubs, does this need an explanation?

History, especially pre-Conquest Britain and the ancient world.

Reading novels and poetry, I have too many 'likes' to list but John Steinbeck and Dylan Thomas will do for now.

Theatre, especially small theatres. Except for poetry readings, yet to perform. I don't really have one favourite in anything really, but in acting it could be Steven Berkoff, and Louise Nulty of course.

Art, again there's too much too list, but Franz Marc, and Kandinsky are a good starting point. Linda Corbally does some good work too.

Anything you want to chat about? Drop me a line - ianbellard@hotmail.com

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