WHO or why or which or what is WILLIAM SUTTON?

After several years abroad in the south of Italy and São Paulo, Brazil, I returned to Britain in 2006. It's nice to be back. I now live in Portsmouth.

I have just finished my new novel, which embroils Campbell Lawless in European machinations, the fight for Italian Unification and terrorist
I also write articles for magazines abroad about the English language, futurology, music, travel, words and Romans.


Drawing courtesy of Sam Marot, not the most attentive Latin pupil but an excellent artist

EARLY DAYS

I was born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1970. I appeared in Babes in the Wood aged nine, learned blues harmonica from my Latin teacher, and drove to California in a Volkswagen beetle.


School band: I played rock piano, while Dallas (in the overcoat) Morrisseyed it up and Graham played bass

Despite writing plays and stories, I got a creditable degree. I started singing in pubs and writing plays in Edinburgh, unable to decide if I wanted to be Tom Waits or Tom Stoppard. I moved to London to study acting with the renowned clown, Philippe Gaulier, and won two radio play competitions for LBC Radio. This was the beginning of my woes.

SCRAPING BY

Having award-winning plays produced and books published does not lead to instant fame and riches. Over the years, I have tried my hand at a variety of things in order to keep scribbling.
Crooning, cricketing
I’ve acted in the longest play in the world, The Warp (around 24 hours). I've played guitar for the inimitable Philip Jeays from Vancouver to Edinburgh. I've driven actors on a movie, Hard Men, including the gangster, "Mad" Frankie Fraser.
          
Dramaturging and drag

I've translated Latin, taught Greek and guitar. I even taught Geography, and Spanish, which I don't speak. (Sorry, Luke. It was your mother's idea). I tutored the Sugababes; they turned sixteen and never took the exam, but I did teach one to play Leo Sayer's When I Need Love.

Me & Noel & our mate on Copacabana beach. Picture by Sarah Rayner

Fetching up in Brazil I had the idea for Worms one dark windy night in 2002. During the process of writing it, I scribbled articles for magazines about sponges, weird musicians and bad English.


I also played cricket for Brazil. No, I'm not Brazilian, but they wouldn't have a team if they were strict on the regulations. We came third in the South American Cup. Out of three.


Front page shame in the Folha da Sao Paulo (the ball kept low)
After South America, I headed for Italy. Fine wine, fab food, the sea, and teaching English to pupils who were, at times, less than committed to overcoming the hurdles of language learning.

Now I'm back in the UK, writing, getting married, giving readings and workshops, strumming my guitar, cricketing with the Gardeners and dreaming up wild new projects.
 
On the run from the South American cricket authorities