Tom

Tom Benson is a creative writer who has published novels, novellas, short story anthologies and a series of five poetry anthologies. He started his writing career In 2007, but in his words, “By then, I had learned enough about people and life to make my writing credible.”

He has won two short story competitions, had six short stories published in traditional anthologies and one on audio CD. One of Tom’s tales, Simply Irresistible, was requested by the World Reader organisation, which provides literary support for developing countries. In 2013, Tom’s poem, River Clyde was requested for use as a supporting narrative, by a Masters Degree student studying Media at Glasgow University.

Prior to becoming a writer, Tom had two previous careers. In 1969 aged 17, he joined the British Army, He saw active service on the streets of Northern Ireland in the early and mid-1970s. He served in West Berlin in the mid-1970s when the city was still divided by the infamous wall. Late in his career, he served in the desert, during the first Gulf War in 1991. Apart from working at trade as a radio operator in various units, Tom was a Military Training Instructor for two years. He completed his service in the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Following his military life, Tom trained in Retail Management, working in the food sector, car accessories and finally finding his niche with stationery. During this period of 20+ years in retail, he believes he continued to learn about human relationships and what matters in life. Tom stepped down from management in the final four years of his retail career to concentrate on his writing.

Tom was born in the East End of Glasgow, Scotland in 1952, which was a time when most telephone conversations were made using an ingenious device connected with cable. Back then, cars were notable because of how few there were, not how many. Although he has lived in England since the completion of his military career, Tom feels a close connection to his hometown. He is a firm believer in the maxim,  “You can take the man out of Glasgow, but you can’t take Glasgow out of the man.” Tom is a self-taught artist and when not writing can be found drawing or painting.  Life-long interests of this author are physical fitness, natural history and conservation. He is married with a grown-up son.

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