Nick Barlay - Author and Journalist

Nick Barlay is the author of three novels: Curvy Lovebox (1997); Crumple Zone (2000); and Hooky Gear (2001). Together they form a loose trilogy of urban tales that map out the underbelly of contemporary London using an experimental mixture of genre and voice.

With his debut novel, he became the first white writer to be published by the black publishing house, The X Press. The story focuses on 24 hours in the life of a petty London criminal and is based on people with whom the author grew up. The second, Crumple Zone, is narrated by a young female teacher whose brother goes missing. The third, Hooky Gear, relates the story of a burglar whose life falls apart, and gained him a nomination for the Granta magazine's list of 20 'Best of Young British Novelists' in 2003. The books have been widely praised for their 'brilliantly literary' first-person voices, their mixture of realism and humour, and their fine chronicling of urban sub-culture.

He has contributed to the British Council short story anthologies, New Writing 12 (2003) and New Writing 14 (2006), as well as to other collections, including The X Press's Westside Storeys (2003). He also contributed to the Holocaust memorial book, Storeys of Memory (2001).

Barlay was born to Hungarian Jewish refugee parents who came to Britian in 1956. His current work, supported by the Arts Council, explores a 200-year family history.

In addition, Barlay has written award-winning radio plays and wide-ranging journalism for newspapers and magazines, including a long-running series about London for The Times. He has also written reviews and features for Time Out, and created a walk for the Time Out Book of London Walks Volume 2 (2001).

He regularly teaches journalism and creative writing, has toured with the British Council, and has participated in many spoken word and live literature events.