Neil Grant

Author

Neil Grant was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He spent many years slouching through Europe and Asia with a stack of notebooks until, in 2001, Allen & Unwin agreed to publish his first novel, Rhino Chasers. This was followed by Indo Dreaming in 2005, which saw him researching traditional whale-hunting, surf culture and two-minute noodles in Indonesia. In 2009, he travelled to Afghanistan to gather material for a book on asylum seekers, a journey that changed his life; The Ink Bridge was published in 2012. The Honeyman and the Hunter is based partly in India – the birthplace of his mother.

Where were you born?

Glasgow, Scotland. Now a city of culture; then of sectarian violence, rain and Irn Bru.

What other jobs have you had?

Instrument steriliser, cook, alpha shear operator, brickie’s labourer, roof-tile reclaimer, carrot picker, tree planter, dishwasher, fruit picker, teacher, carpenter-joiner, learning designer.

What themes are recurring in your work?

Belonging, immigration, travel, masculinity, fear.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Travelling to Afghanistan to research The Ink Bridge.

Where have your works been published?

By Allen & Unwin, my first and only publishing love.

What are you passionate about?

Asylum seekers getting a fair go, my family, words, young boys growing into kind men, travel, empathy and a good Indian (or Scottish) breakfast.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Did you go to the Brahmaputra Literary Festival in Assam, India? I was just there and had an incredible time with brilliant writers from across India and around the world.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Like the great bard, Whitney Houston, I believe that children are our future. I feel privileged to write for them and to share what I have learnt about words and about the world.