Simon Robinson

Simon Robinson grew up in Jersey. He spent his youth playing rugby, surfing and sailing before beginning a career in child care. The job was so emotionally draining that he took a sailing sabbatical, which grew into a second career working on racing yachts. After his year with Nureyev he trained as a butler in London, working in Europe and the United States. He is married and lives in Australia.

Derek Robinson is Simon's uncle. After twelve years writing copy for top advertising agencies in London and New York, he became a freelance writer/broadcaster in 1967. His first novel, Goshawk Squadron, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and aroused controversy, as did his fifth, Piece of Cake. His other novels include War Story, Hornet's Sting, A Good Clean Fight, Damned Good Show, Hullo Russia, Goodbye England, A Splendid Little War, The Eldorado Network, Artillery of Lies, Red Rag Blues and Operation Bamboozle.