Paul Golder writes for the Brentwood Gazette

We had a great guest recently on Michelle Ward’s mid-morning Eat My Brunch show – and it was a personal blast from the past for me too.

Ian Ayris is the author of three novels, two novellas and over forty short stories. The first of his trilogy of novels began with Abide With Me in 2012 and was completed with Everybody Hurts in 2019.

Earlier this year he was also part of a panel at the prestigious Hay Festival discussing how writers from disenfranchised or marginalised backgrounds can gain a greater voice within the publishing industry.

Ian chatted to Michelle about how his books and how his writing seeks to explore the stark reality of his characters with honesty, empathy and understanding, informed by his twenty years of experience as a qualified counsellor in the East London area.

I had a chat with Ian too for the first time in over four decades! We were classmates at Gidea Park Primary School and the last time I remember seeing him was when I went round to his house to watch the 1980 FA Cup Final with Ian and his twin brother Stuart – who is also an author now.

Happy memories for me as I vividly recall our joint joy in watching the plucky underdogs West Ham United defeat the red hot favourites Arsenal thanks to the head of one of Brentwood’s finest sons, Trevor Brooking.

You can find out more about his work at www.ianayris.org and you can also hear his interview with Michelle at www.phoenixfm.com.