In his own words:
Poetry, scripts, and stories have always been important to me. My mother read to me the adventures of the Secret Seven and Alice in Wonderland and My father bought me my first poetry book, Silly Verses for Kids by Spike Milligan. The first script I read was Quatermass and the Pit by Nigel Kneale (1960); though I will admit I thought I was borrowing the novel when I took it out of the library. In 1999 I wrote a short film that was produced by Underground Film Works. It premiered at the St Annes Pleasure Island cinema and was included in the catalogue for the Edinburgh film festival.
My first novel for children, “Mathamagical”, was published by Ivory Moon. Unfortunately, the publishing company had to fold, and the rights returned to me. In 2012, I decided to try self-publishing. I am not opposed to traditional publishing and there are books I am working on that would suit this root, however, the books I was working on were not aligned with the market at the time, so I have stayed with self-publishing for the time being.
In 2017 this book was used by 8-year-old magician Issy Simson as a prop on Britain’s Got Talent. Other titles I have published: “Anagramaphobia: at word’s end”, “‘Twas the Night of Halloween”, a poetry collection, “The Book of Colin”, a book version of my ‘Saboteur Awards Short Listed’ spoken word show “2001: a space ode and ditty”, and the anthology styled novel “Blood Ink.” I write screenplays, stage plays, and radio comedies. I have also produced poetry for the Nationwide Building Society.
In 2021 I ran the writing room for a Pantomime at Blackpool and Fylde College where I took on the lead writer and script editor role. I founded the ‘The Blackpool Horror Society’ and record a weekly podcast alongside Dr Ashley Lister PhD, and other guests including award-winning writer Ramsey Campbell and ex-Coronation Street actor, turned master cheese maker, Sean Wilson. Recently I have been working with magician Russ Brown to set up a regular open mic poetry night at his magic-themed bar in Blackpool. The inaugural night of ‘Magical Words’ was very successful.
I am a member of NAWE and the H.G. Wells Society.
ashleylister.com 