People

Infinity and beyond

Little do people know, that here, at the University of Essex, working amongst us, is a fiction writer of international acclaim, a writer who is hailed as a significant member of the 'Britpack' group, comparable to Iain M Banks, Paul J McAuley, Ian McDonald, Stephen Baxter, and perhaps even Arthur C. Clarke of 2001, A Space Odyssey fame. 

However, rather than 2001, it looks like the year 2002 is going to be an exciting one for this author.

That author is Keith Brooke, the University's Web Support Manager, who has been writing professionally for the past 14 years.

With four novels and numerous short stories already under his belt Keith has recently seen a collection of short stories, co-edited by himself, published to rave reviews. Infinity Plus One is an anthology of science-fiction stories written by some of the biggest selling British writers of our time. The collection is a spin-off from Keith's highly successful website www.infinityplus.co.uk which is devoted to promoting the works of science-fiction, fantasy and horror fiction writers.

Infinity Plus One includes the work of numerous award-winning writers, such as Peter F Hamilton and Michael Swanwick, chosen by Keith and his co-editor Nick Gevers.

The result is, according to Gardner Dozois, the editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, 'a ground-breaking anthology from some of the very best writers in the business today, assembled from the electronic 'pages' of one of the Internet's most valuable resources for intelligent science fiction of high literary quality'.

Published in November Infinity Plus One is just the start of a hectic writing and publishing schedule for Keith.

Keith's most recent works, the novel Lord of Stone, and a collection of his short stories entitled Head Shots, are doing well in the book shops. Demand for his work is such that three of his earlier novels are also being republished in 2002.

What's more, Keith writes children's books under the pen name, Nick Gifford, and has recently accepted a Penguin Puffin deal. The highly selective Penguin will publish the provisionally titled 'Piggies' in 2003.

Classed as a Sci-fi author Keith actually writes in a range of genres: 'I don't want to be too pigeon-holed as a writer and that's why I try to write in a variety of ways. My books and stories have been described sometimes as 'crime fiction' and sometimes as 'literary fiction' but it is inevitable that I will be categorized mostly as a science-fiction writer'.

Keith added: 'My children's books are my only works that do not get shelved within the science-fiction section of the bookshop'.

Nonetheless, Keith hopes that Infinity Plus One will reach a broader audience due to the international reputations of the contributors.

For your chance to win a limited edition, signed copy, of Infinity Plus One please answer the following question:

Who was the author of the two hugely popular fantasy novels The Hobbit and TheLord of the Rings?
To enter, either e-mail your answer to wyvern@essex.ac.uk or send it to Public Relations, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ.
Please include your full answer, name, and a contact telephone number.

Honoured for commitment to equal opportunities

The University's pioneering Equal Opportunities Development Officer Syd Kent has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.

Syd, who has worked at the University for 24 years, has held all the major Trade Union roles arising from his membership of the MSF Union.

Syd Kent

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivor Crewe, said: 'His long-standing commitment to fairness has led him to take a special interest in equal opportunities generally and harassment issues in particular. He takes much of the credit for the University being one of the first in the country to adopt a code of practice on harassment.

'He has contributed significantly to making the University a better and fairer place to study and work. Everyone at the University is delighted that he has been awarded this much-deserved honour.'

Syd was a member of the national working party which developed new equal opportunities guidelines for the higher education sector.

Outside the University, he was one of the founders of Colchester Sixth Form College and has been its Chair of Governors since 1995. He has also served as a county councillor.

Syd said: 'I hope that many colleagues will be happy to share this with me, those at the University who are working towards equality of opportunity and those in the Trade Unions working on behalf of their members, as well as my colleagues at the Sixth Form College. I would like to thank all of them for their support. There is still much to do but we are getting there'.

Former Essex Registrar Eddie Newcomb has been awarded an OBE. Mr Newcomb was Registrar at Essex for 11 years until 1992, when he took up a similar post at the University of Leeds. He is currently Registrar at the University of Manchester.

Marathon duo

Two members of staff have bravely entered into this years London Marathon. Fiona Embleton from the Academic Section and Karen Roberts from the Nursery have been in training over the past few months in preparation for the 26 mile race which is being held on 14 April this year.

Fiona only began running 18 months ago when she joined the Harwich Runners and has already completed the Felixstowe half marathon. Fiona explained that running the marathon was something she has always wanted to do: 'I watch it on TV every year and after watching April 2000 I though I should just do it instead of talking about it.' She will be running to raise money for Cancer Research.

Marathon duo, Fiona (left) and Karen have been training 
together once a week in preparation for the Marathon

Unlike Fiona, Karen has been running for some time and this will actually be the second marathon she has run. Her first was in 1998 when she completed the Marathon in 5 hours, 43 minutes and 27 seconds and came in 27,665! She has been in training for the Marathon since November and has even been running in her lunch hour in preparation for the race.

Karen will be running for the Hospital Radio, Colchester which she has been a member of for the past 8 years. Karen explained that she hopes to raise £1,000 to buy the radio a computer so it can do outside broadcasts.

Both Karen and Fiona need sponsors so if you would like to help them Karen can be contacted at the Day Nursery on ext. 3224 and Fiona can be contacted in the Academic Section on ext. 2520 or e-mail finoae@essex.ac.uk

Caption: Marathon duo, Fiona (left) and Karen have been training together once a week in preparation for the marathon

Also in the printed January edition of Wyvern:

• Honours for Professor Timmis
• Obituary, Dr Philip Vuciri Ramaga