About

Father of two beautiful daughters, Matthew has been reading and writing fantasy and science fiction since he first read the Hobbit at the age of 7. Currently he is working on the worlds of Shattered Lands and Faraway, adult steamfantasy and child's steamfantasy. The latter is a co-operative project with his eldest daughter.

Other projects include Null'nVoid, a comic script and Dis-United States, a story about the American Civil War, the like of which has never been seen (big claim, but one he can confidently make).

Matthew was also Features Editor, Technical Consultant and regular columnist for magazines such as ‘Fighters’, ‘Combat’, ‘TKD & Korean Martial Arts’ and ‘Traditional Karate’. These are the four leading martial arts magazines in the United Kingdom.

He is also the author of the critically acclaimed 'Practical Taekwondo: Back to the Roots', which has been sold around the world.

With regard to his martial arts background he has been studying martial arts since 1991. In 1995 he hosted Professor Rick Clark of the ADK and since then has been studying pressure points and their uses in the martial arts and on the street (initially as a Special Constable and as a Door Supervisor).

All of this practical hands-on experience means that he is uniquely placed to write fight scenes that are not only plausible but some of which are based on personal or anecdotal experience (although he must admit he has never slain an orc. Unfortunately.)

favourite books

Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Harry Potter - All of them
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Mortal Coils
The Fade
The Rise of the Iron Moon
The Blade Itself
Dresden Files
Codex Alera series
Ciaphas Cain series
Gaunt's Ghosts
Wheel of Time series
Mental Strength
Practical Taekwondo Back to the Roots
Looking For Guild
Retribution Falls
Dies the Fire