The urge to travel, the urge to write, and the urge to discover mischief, had a strong influence on Ged Neary’s choice of day job, so he was based for years at a stretch in locations ideal for an aspiring author who thrives on exotic characters, exotic behaviour, exotic settings, and exotic plots.

There were day jobs in Germany, Saudi Arabia, the Yemen, Somalia, Kenya, San Francisco, Guatemala, and various provinces in China, and the first results in print were two books of comic fiction, On The Fiddle, and How To Be a Tourist. His two latest books, Rice Ticket and Joint Venture, are both set in China. Rice Ticket was runner-up in the 2004 Shorelines fiction competition, and a story from Joint Venture was broadcast on the BBC World Service.

Now, back in England and working at Manchester University, Ged finds he can still milk the day job for comic fiction. Together with his Chinese wife, Amy, Ged runs an organisation called China Here And There, so far producing two stage plays (Taking A Liberty and Lao Wai), a story collection (Finding A Voice) and, for 2005, a Manchester-Chinese film The Flower Chamber. Writing awards were received from the Arts Council of England, the British Council, North West Playwrights, and North West Vision.

Contact Ged Neary