Writer
Non-fiction
History
Ian is the author of two major books on maritime history, The Good Ship (1995) and The British Museum Maritime History of Britain & Ireland c 400 - 2001 (2003), as well as a book of local history photographs and over 20 articles, papers and booklets on maritime history, local history and education (see Publications).
Exhibition text copywriter
Writing for public exhibitions is challenging for any writer, and Ian has written the display texts for over 40 temporary and long-term exhibitions. This includes all of the text for the 1988 blockbuster exhibition Armada (apart from the words ‘Fire Exit’...).
Fiction & Drama
Littlehampton - (Not) The Movie was Ian's first piece of large-scale creative writing, completed in 2000. It was followed in 2003 by The Roman Show, a three-hander play about Roman Britain written and performed for Chichester District Museum.
Current Drama & Fiction Projects
Ian is developing a career as a playwright and novelist.
Drama
Snappy Dresser
A play for radio (2007)
Mr Wallasey's Odyssey
A play for radio (in progress)
The Life & Adventures of Able Seaman BILLY BOW
Book and lyrics of a musical, in collaboration with the composer Andrew Fisher (in progress)
Prose & Poetry Events
Ian has devised and staged more than a dozen successful prose and poetry reading events, on themes as diverse as the sea, the Victorians and railways. He has performed in all of them - see Talks & Voices from History
Novel
The Gold of the Giants (working title)
A mystery set in 13th century York (planning and research stage)
If you think that Ian's writing skills might be able to help with your project, please contact him.