ABOUT | saimonaking

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

There is something self-important, even narcissistic, about writing your own bio. Nonetheless, it is expedient to have one.

My name is Simon King (I was nicknamed 'Saimon' during my childhood - hence the nom de plume). I grew up in Chile. I moved to the United Kingdom aged eleven.

Had a rather unpleasant experience aged seventeen and spent several months in psychiatric wards. Nonetheless, I recovered and resumed my education. I completed a bachelors degree in Comparative Literature at University of Kent and attained a First Class degree. I also completed an MA in Film Studies (Theory).

My main interests are: literature, film, music, philosophy and politics. My interests within those fields are broad and all over the place.

ABOUT THE WRITING

I write all sorts of things.

I wrote two short story collections between 2010 and 2014. They were surrealist, absurd, obscene, eclectic and all over the place. If anything struck my fancy, I would write a story about it.

I finished the draft of a novel that's about a planet comprised of the mind of a single individual. It's crazy and convoluted. New space-time is created through the creation of literary texts. The planet is comprised of the character's experiences and existing novels. The writer can only advance in the planet by effacing his personality and embracing ideas. (That shtick is quite Buddhist.) Time in the novel is circular. The same scenes reappear with subtle variations.

I am currently writing a collection of essays. I wrote an essay about the relationship between 2001: A Space Odyssey and the ideas of Plato. I wrote another one about the relationship between jazz and democracy. The one I'm currently writing is about the relationship between the New Deal and Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. I have several ideas for future essays.

I am also writing a book called 'Ten Characters.' The (simple) premise of this book is that it will comprise ten stories about real life people. I am drawn to real life loners and eccentrics. The first story is about Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath.