Simon Van der Velde is a renowned author with a diverse work history. He has held various jobs, including those of a laborer, caterer, attorney, barman, and teacher. His travels throughout Europe and South America have provided him with a wealth of characters for his acclaimed stories. These experiences have undoubtedly contributed to the rich and varied settings and characters found in his work.
After completing a creative writing M.A. with distinction in 2010, Van der Velde's writing began to gain recognition. He has won and been shortlisted for numerous awards, including The Yeovil Literary Prize (twice), The Wasafiri New Writing Prize, The Readers Favorite Gold Medal, The Luke Bitmead Bursary, The Frome Prize, and The Harry Bowling Prize. These accolades have established him as one of the UK's foremost short-story writers.
Van der Velde currently resides in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, with his wife, a labradoodle, and two tyrannical children. His personal life is as busy and complex as his professional one, providing him with a constant source of inspiration for his writing. His ability to draw from his own experiences and observations allows him to create compelling and relatable characters and situations.