Ben Myers Explained

Ben Myers
Birth Place:Durham, County Durham, England
Occupation:Writer and journalist
Awards:Portico Prize For Literature. Gordon Burn Prize. Roger Deakin Award. Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. Goldsmiths Prize.
Alma Mater:University of Bedfordshire
Spouse:Adelle Stripe

Benjamin Myers (born January 1976) is an English writer[1] and journalist.

Early life

Myers grew up in Belmont, County Durham,[2] and was a pupil at the estate's local comprehensive school where he became interested in reading and skateboarding.[3]

Myers attended his first concert in Durham in March 1990, when he was fourteen. It led to him forming the punk rock band Sour Face the next year.[4] The band quickly became involved in the Durham hardcore punk scene. Despite being one of the few bands in the scene that was not straight edge, Sour Face became the mascots, with their third performance seeing them open for NOFX. Voorhees' first performance was opening for Sour Face in September 1991.[5]

As a teenager Myers began writing for British weekly Melody Maker. In 1997 he became their staff writer while residing in the Oval Mansions squat for several years. In 2011 he published an article, about his brief time as an intern at News of the World.[6] He has spoken about failing English Literature at A-level and being rejected by "more than a hundred" universities before being accepted by the University of Bedfordshire (formerly Luton University).[7]

Work

Journalism

As a journalist, Myers has written about literature, music and the arts for a number of publications including New Statesman, Mojo, The Guardian, NME, The Spectator, BBC, New Scientist, Alternative Press, Kerrang!, Plan B, Arena, Bizarre, The Quietus, Vice, Shortlist, Caught by the River, Metal Hammer, The Morning Star, Classic Rock, , Mineshaft and Time Out.

Books

Myers' books span literary fiction, nature/landscape writing, crime, historical fiction and poetry. He has been translated into eight languages. He has published several poetry collections and written a number of music biographies which have been widely translated. He is a founding member of the Brutalists, a literary collective including authors Adelle Stripe and Tony O'Neill. His second novel, , was a fictionalized account of the life of musician Richey Edwards. It was published by Picador in October 2010, and polarised critical opinion.

Pig Iron (2012) was set in the traveller/gypsy community of the northeast of England and was the first to be published under his full name Benjamin Myers. Published by Bluemoose Books, it won the inaugural Gordon Burn Prize[8] and was longlisted for .com's 'Novels of the Year'[9] and runner-up in The Guardians 'Not The Booker Prize',[10] in the same year.

Myers' novel The Gallows Pole (2017), based on the true story of the Cragg Vale Coiners, received a Roger Deakin Award and won the 2018 Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction.[11] As part of the prize, both author and book title appeared as the official Royal Mail franking stamp for a week on an estimated 60 million pieces of mail. It was released by Third Man Books, part of Third Man Records in the US and Canada.[12] In 2021 the BBC announced an adaptation of the novel by director Shane Meadows.[13] It was first broadcast on BBC2 on 31 May 2023.[14] [15]

His novel The Offing (2019) featured on Radio 4's Book At Bedtime, was a Radio 2 Book Club choice and was chosen as a book of the year in The Times. The audiobook was narrated by actor Ralph Ineson. A stage version of The Offing was produced in Scarborough and Newcastle in 2021,[16] and it was announced in 2023 that a film would be produced of the novel starring Helena Bonham Carter and directed by Jessica Hobbs.[17]

In late 2018 it was reported he had signed to Bloomsbury Publishing.[18] The deal was satirised in the 'Books & Bookmen' column in Private Eye.[19]

Cuddy, his eighth novel, combines poetry, prose, play, diary and real historical accounts of the story and legacy of St. Cuthbert and his connection to Durham Cathedral.[20] [21]

Personal life

Myers lives in the Calder Valley with his wife, the author Adelle Stripe.[22]

Honours

In 2014 Myers won the Society of Authors Tom-Gallon Trust Award[23] for his short story, 'The Folk Song Singer'. He was runner-up in the same prize in 2018 for his story 'A Thousand Acres Of English Soil'. His poem 'The Path To Pendle Hill' was selected by New Statesman as one of its Poems Of The Year 2015[24] and work from the same collection were read by Myers on BBC1 programme Countryfile.

His novel Beastings (2014) won the Portico Prize For Literature and the Northern Writers' Award. It was also longlisted for the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize. In 2019 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from York St John University.[25]

Myers is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.[26] He was awarded the 2023 Goldsmiths Prize for his novel, Cuddy, which was described by the judges as "a book of remarkable range, virtuosity and creative daring."[27]

Awards

Bibliography

Fiction

Novels

Short stories

Crime fiction

Short fiction

Non-fiction

Poetry

Music biography / essays

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Benjamin. Myers. 2020-01-03. 'I was half-insane with anxiety': how I wrote myself into a breakdown. The Guardian. 3 January 2020. 0261-3077. www.theguardian.com.
  2. 7 August 2019 . Writing Durham: Ben Myers . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/93SpdAL_nQ0 . 2021-12-22 . live. 7 August 2019.
  3. News: Myers . Benjamin . Benjamin Myers on Durham: 'I spent a lot of time up trees or trespassing on roofs' . . 13 October 2018 . 7 December 2020.
  4. Web site: The Quietus Features Baker's Dozen The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music: Benjamin Myers' Favourite Music . 2023-03-24 . The Quietus . en-us.
  5. Web site: Stewart . Ethan . A Look at the '80s and '90s UK Straight Edge Hardcore Scenes . 2 December 2020 . 7 December 2020.
  6. Web site: Myers. Ben. 8 July 2011. My Time Undercover At The News Of The World. live. 24 May 2021. Vice. https://web.archive.org/web/20210524124927/https://www.vice.com/en/article/7bjjj9/my-time-undercover-at-the-news-of-the-world . 24 May 2021 .
  7. Web site: Law . Jackie . 2018-01-15 . Author Interview: Benjamin Myers . 2023-03-24 . neverimitate . en.
  8. Web site: Benjamin Myers wins Gordon Burn Prize . Newwritingnorth.com . 12 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203102748/http://www.newwritingnorth.com/news_details-benjamin-myers-wins-gordon-burn-prize-details-2606.html . 3 February 2014 . dead .
  9. Web site: 3:AM Awards 2012: Longlist . 3:AM Magazine . 12 August 2014.
  10. News: Sam . Jordison . Not the Booker prize: The winner | Books . The Guardian . 15 October 2012 . theguardian.com . 12 August 2014.
  11. News: Benjamin Myers wins Walter Scott Prize 2018 . BBC News . 17 June 2018 . 18 June 2018.
  12. Web site: Jack White's imprint signs Benjamin Myers | The Bookseller. www.thebookseller.com.
  13. Web site: Bley Griffiths. Eleanor. BBC announces new Shane Meadows drama The Gallows Pole, based on 'the biggest fraud in British history'. live. 24 May 2021. Radio Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519015015/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/shane-meadows-drama-the-gallows-pole-bbc-newsupdate/ . 19 May 2021 .
  14. News: Richardson . Hollie . Davies . Hannah J. . Verdier . Hannah . Virtue . Graeme . 31 May 2023 . TV tonight: Shane Meadows's first period drama is about the Cragg Vale Coiners . en-GB . The Guardian . 31 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531062121/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/31/tv-tonight-shane-meadowss-first-period-drama-is-about-the-cragg-vale-coiners . 31 May 2023 . 0261-3077.
  15. Web site: 19 May 2023 . The Gallows Pole - Watch the trailer for Shane Meadows' new drama . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531085132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/the-gallows-pole-trailer/ . 31 May 2023 . 31 May 2023 . www.bbc.co.uk . en.
  16. News: Fisher . Mark . 2021-10-22 . The Offing review – soft-pedalled adaptation of Benjamin Myers novel . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-03-10 . 0261-3077.
  17. Web site: Barraclough . Leo . 2023-02-08 . Helena Bonham Carter to Star in 'The Offing,' Reteaming With 'The Crown' Director Jessica Hobbs . 2023-03-10 . Variety . en-US.
  18. Web site: Myers moves to Bloomsbury for 'exquisite' novel | The Bookseller. www.thebookseller.com.
  19. Web site: Private Eye. 21 December 2018.
  20. News: Allan . Nina . 2023-03-09 . Cuddy by Benjamin Myers review – a visionary history . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-03-24 . 0261-3077.
  21. News: Anderson . Hephzibah . 2023-03-19 . Cuddy by Benjamin Myers review – a polyphonic hymn to the north-east . en-GB . The Observer . 2023-03-24 . 0029-7712.
  22. Charlesworth . Antonia . 2022-05-23 . Radical and gently revolutionary . 2022-07-16 . Big Issue North.
  23. Web site: Tom-Gallon Trust Award | Society of Authors – Protecting the rights and furthering the interests of authors. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140719212742/http://www.societyofauthors.org/tom-gallon-trust-and-olive-cook-award. 19 July 2014. 12 August 2014. Society of Authors.
  24. Web site: Poems of the year. www.newstatesman.com. 8 June 2021 .
  25. Web site: York St John University announces 2019 honorary graduates. 11 October 2019. York St John University.
  26. News: Creamer . Ella . 2023-07-12 . Royal Society of Literature aims to broaden representation as it announces 62 new fellows . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-07-31 . 0261-3077.
  27. News: Creamer . Ella . 2023-11-08 . Benjamin Myers wins 2023 Goldsmiths prize for 'vital' novel Cuddy . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-11-10 . 0261-3077.
  28. Web site: Northern Writers' Awards 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210527103519/http://northernwritersawards.com/winners/profile/benjamin-myers/ . 27 May 2021 . New Writing North.
  29. Web site: Gordon Burn Prize 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113093142/http://gordonburnprize.com:80/winners/benjamin-myers/ . 13 January 2017 . Gordon Burn Prize.
  30. Web site: 8 May 2020 . Tom-Gallon Trust Award 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806194749/https://www.societyofauthors.org/Prizes/Society-of-Authors-Awards/ALCS-Tom-Gallon-Trust/Past-winners . 6 August 2020 . Society of Authors.
  31. Web site: 12 May 2015 . Fiction Uncovered Prize Longlist 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121054052/https://jerwoodarts.org/2015/05/12/jerwood-fiction-uncovered-prize-announces-long-list/ . 21 January 2021 . Jerwood Arts.
  32. News: Cowdrey . Katherine . 30 Nov 2015 . Myers and Benson win £10k Portico Literature Prize . 27 May 2021 . The Bookseller.
  33. Web site: Duffy . Kevin . 29 Dec 2016 . The Society of Authors' Roger Deakin Award 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210116233211/http://bluemoosebooks.com/blog/201612/society-of-authors-roger-deakin-award . 16 January 2021 . Bluemoose Books.
  34. Web site: Griffiths . Neil . The Republic of Consciousness Prize longlist . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200921195433/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/republic-of-consciousness-prize-longlist/ . 21 September 2020 . TLS.
  35. Web site: 8 May 2020 . Past winners of the Tom-Gallon Trust Award . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806194749/https://www.societyofauthors.org/Prizes/Society-of-Authors-Awards/ALCS-Tom-Gallon-Trust/Past-winners . 6 August 2020 . 27 May 2021 . Society of Authors.
  36. News: 18 June 2018 . Benjamin Myers wins Walter Scott Prize 2018 . BBC Scotland.
  37. Web site: Le Prix Polars Pourpres . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617014518/http://polars.pourpres.net:80/prix-polars-pourpres . 17 June 2015 . Polars Pourpres.
  38. Web site: Portico Prize Shortlist 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191101221452/https://www.theportico.org.uk/portico-prize-for-literature . 1 November 2019 . The Portico Library.
  39. News: 7 November 2020 . Benjamin Myers' "Offene See" ist das Lieblingsbuch der Unabhängigen 2020 . Buch Markt.
  40. Web site: 2023-11-09 . Myers wins Goldsmiths Prize for Cuddy . 2023-11-09 . Books+Publishing.
  41. Web site: Sherburn . Lucy . 2024-03-22 . Winston Graham Historical Prize Winner Announced! . 2024-03-23 . Royal Cornwall Museum . en-GB.
  42. Web site: Wood . Heloise . 26 April 2024 . Isabella Hammad and Benjamin Myers shortlisted for £10k Ondaatje Prize . 30 April 2024 . The Bookseller.
  43. Book: Myers, Benjamin. The book of fuck. 2004. Wrecking Ball Press. 1-903110-15-7. North Cave, East Yorkshire. 56791363.
  44. Web site: Richard: Amazon.co.uk: Ben Myers: Books. 12 August 2014. Amazon.co.uk.
  45. Web site: benjamin myers pig iron: Books. 12 August 2014. Amazon.co.uk.
  46. Book: Myers, Benjamin . Beastings. 2019. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. 978-1-5266-1122-2. London. 1111949459.
  47. Book: Myers, Benjamin . The gallows pole. 2019. 978-1-5266-1115-4. London. 1102319901.
  48. News: Jude. Cook. 2020-01-03. The Offing by Benjamin Myers review – poignant story of an unlikely friendship. The Guardian. 21 August 2019. 0261-3077. www.theguardian.com.
  49. Book: Myers, Benjamin . Male Tears. 2021. Bloomsbury. 978-1-5266-1134-5. London, UK. 1238056757.
  50. Book: Myers, Benjamin . Turning blue. 2016. 978-1-911356-00-4. Rainton Bridge. 945718656.
  51. Book: Myers, Benjamin . These darkening days. 2017. 978-1-911356-02-8. Tyne and Wear, England. 990643416.
  52. Book: MYERS, BENJAMIN . WHIP HAND.. 2018. SICK FLY PUBLICATIONS. 978-1-910691-39-7 . 1059320282.
  53. Web site: 1 December 2013. Snorri & Frosti by Ben Myers Ltd Edition Christmas paperback from 3AM Press – with added sparkles! – Galley Beggar Press. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140718045853/http://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/book-store/3am-press/snorri-frosti-by-ben-myers-ltd-edition-christmas-paperback-from-3am-press-with-added-sparkles/. 18 July 2014. 12 August 2014. Galleybeggar.co.uk. dmy-all.
  54. Book: Myers, Benjamin . American heretics : rebel voices in music. 2002. Codex. 1-899598-23-5. Hove. 50175926.
  55. Book: MYERS, BENJAMIN . UNDER THE ROCK : the poetry of a place.. 2019. ELLIOTT & THOMPSON LIMITE. 978-1-78396-436-9 . 1079920878.
  56. Book: Myers, Benjamin . Spam : email inspired poetry. 2008. Blackheath Books. 978-1-906099-07-7. [Llanteg]. 648080523.
  57. Book: MYERS, BENJAMIN . HEATHCLIFF ADRIFT.. 2018. MAYFLY Press. 978-1-911356-08-0 . 1028232969.
  58. Book: Myers, Benjamin . John Lydon : PiL, Pistols and anti-celebrity. 2004. Independent Music. 0-9539942-7-9. London. 56640176.
  59. Book: Myers, Benjamin . Green Day : American idiots & the new punk explosion. 2005. Independent Music Press. 0-9539942-9-5. Church Stretton. 64553821.
  60. Book: Myers, Benjamin . System of a Down : right here in Hollywood. 2006. Independent Music. 978-0-9549704-6-8. Church Stretton. 63136435.
  61. Book: Myers, Benjamin . MUSE. 2004. Independent Music. 0-9539942-6-0. London. 56438421.
  62. Book: Lowry, Ray . The Clash. 2007. Angry Penguin. Ben Myers. 978-1-906283-36-0. Warwick. 165412921.

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