Andy Szpuk

About

Published novels:SLIDING ON THE SNOW STONE (2011)FATE AND CIRCUMSTANCE (2017)Published Poetry Collections:A RIOT SHIELD FOR CHRISTMAS (2018)IF SPIDER-MAN WERE UKRAINIAN (2019)VEGAN POETRY (2019)Awards:2014 – Joint Runner Up in Nottingham Festival of Words Flash Fiction Competition My Literary Journey:SLIDING ON THE SNOW STONE is based on the true story of my father, from his childhood in Ukraine, the ravages of the Soviet induced famine (1932-33), Soviet repression in the years leading up to World War Two, and events during, and after, the war.Writing it was a profound experience and afterwards I found myself writing poetry to find closure. Many of my poems found their way into anthologies and poetry magazines. I have continued to to scrutinise the past and present to produce more literature.I have a keen interest in music in a wide range of genres including, classical, popular and traditional and I play guitar both in solo and ensemble formats.As an Occupational Therapist, I work in the fields of physically disability, mental health, autism and learning disability. I specialise in Supported Living, Environmental Design, Sensory Profiling, Housing Design and Promoting Independence.