Raymond Soltysek’s short stories have appeared in many literary magazines and national anthologies and on BBC radio.

His first collection, Occasional Demons, was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book award. The film of his first screenplay, The Practicality of Magnolia, won two BAFTA New Talent awards, including Best TV Drama, and was nominated in the Best Screenplay category. He has also worked extensively with BBC Education, most notably in the production of two drama adaptations based on Robert Jenkins’ The Cone-gatherers.

Born in Barrhead to his Polish father and English mother, he graduated with an Honours degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Glasgow University in 1981. In the following year, he qualified as an English teacher from Jordanhill College, and obtained a Master of Education in Curriculum and Management in 1991. He has been a Principal Teacher of English in three secondary schools and an Acting Assistant Head Teacher. In 2001, he became a lecturer in the Education Faculty of the University of Strathclyde. In 2006, he was awarded a Robert Louis Stevenson residence at Grez-sur-Loing, and has recently received a major Arts Council bursary to complete his first novel.