Edinburgh writer’s new collection of short stories
Added: (Tue Oct 24 2023)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
While Irvine Welsh, Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Rankine are currently regarded as Edinburgh’s most prolific authors, none can hold a candle to a former social worker from the city.
Since retiring in 2008 Roger Leslie Paige has written and published more than 20 collections of short stories and in-depth chess guides.
The 79-year-old has just released his latest anthology, Dreamageddon & Other Stories, to maintain his impressive output and keep his growing readership satisfied.
Influenced from an early age by the likes of Anton Chekhov, Albert Camus and Samuel Becket, Roger had to put his literary ambitions on hold to teach, become a postal clerk, and eventually train to be a social worker.
But after taking early retirement in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh, he has concentrated fully on putting pen to paper.
Roger admits he was frustrated during his early attempts to write.
He said: “I was heavily influenced by Chekhov, Camus and Beckett - I was astonished by what they wrote and still am.
“Unfortunately, teachers discouraged me because I wrote stuff that they found difficult to mark.”
Like much of Roger’s previous work Dreamageddon & Other Stories is a collection of highly original and deeply immersive stories.
The Kent-born writer’s anthology explores the relationship between a famous detective and his new secretary, a journalist who unearths a story during a remote holiday, and a time-travelling detective chasing a presidential candidate.
Roger’s mix of the absurd and the unlikely with believable characterisation and perfect pacing makes his writing both challenging and gripping.
And chess fans can always rely on a few rooks and pawns surfacing within Roger’s collections – this time in a story of a renowned master playing against a famed philosopher.
Roger believes that retirement has allowed him the time and freedom of thought to pursue the writing career he’s always harboured.
He said: “I retired in 2008 after working in social work in Edinburgh for almost 30 years.
“Throughout my adult life I have written but have only had stories and other books published since my retirement.
“I write full-time now, enjoying the creative process.
“I'll carry on as long as I can until the well goes dry.”
For more information visit Amazon and search for Roger Leslie Paige, where the Kindle and paperback versions of Dreamageddon & Other Stories are available.
Notes to the Editor
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