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Lester Gartland

Member Since: 10/2024

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lester Louis Gartland (Born May 6th 1990) Is a British writer/journalist who has published personal essays, a collection of short stories, and novels. Born and raised in Woking, Surrey, and son to a jazz musician. Gartland began his creative writing journey by writing contemporary music. After his father died, Gartland moved to Brighton, East Sussex to study music at a degree level and wrote music and lyrics for various local projects. After some mild success, and the suicide of one of his bandmates, Gartland turned his hand from poetry to prose. Inspired by his literary heroes: Franz Kafka, Hermann Hesse, and Kurt Vonnegut, he began writing short stories which abstractly detail the impacts of bereavement. Gartland continued writing and developing his style to create a unique blend of tragedy and social satire which is apparent as a major theme in his debut novel A Hake's Tail.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

Living in the south of England, interests include horror, absurdism, and cats.

When and why did you start writing books?

After a short career in songwriting, I realised that the most important part of the craft was the lyrics. Telling a story with them. It seemed natural to move towards writing fiction.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

The more I write, the more characters I create, the more I realise they are extensions of myself, the more I learn about who I am.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

In 'Nobody Cries or Sleeps Anymore' there is a toothless man in a black & white suit who is pretending to drive. I enjoy how he exposes the illusion of control.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

My current WIP is demanding much more research into the ties between cults and bureaucracy than I bargained for!

Who is your favourite author and book?

Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut.

What book are you reading right now?

Butter, Asako Yuzuki.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Anywhere and everything, with a sprinkling of introspection.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

That really depends on the English weather.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Custodian Angel