shown a passion for 3 things, music, books and people. 10 years spent in music retail allowed him to immerse himself in music all day long, before moving onto care work, where he has spent 8 years looking after people, all with stories to tell.
Having had aspirations of being a writer since very early in his life, he started to write poetry as an emotional outlet for various issues he’d
suffered from throughout the years. In 2011 he put over 400 poems online, before eventually releasing 2 small collections both as digital downloads and in paperback form.
In 2012, Michael combined his love for books, music and people, in the writing of his debut novel ‘Music for the end of the world’.Michael is
currently working on his second novel, as yet untitled.
After a series of tragedies befalls 35 year old Londoner Will, he finds himself sitting on Parliament Hill on the day the world will end:
December 21, 2012. As the clock ticks nearer to oblivion, Will has just enough time to listen to twenty final songs – the last songs he will ever hear. While the music plays, Will recalls his life through snapshots of memory that flash before his mind; the face of his girlfriend who died on September 11, his many nights spent partying in Camden, going to music festivals, and his battles with alcoholism.
Each song unravels something new in Will, unearthing a sacred part of him: Twenty songs orchestrating his last thoughts on earth, providing
the soundtrack to his very existence.
Music for the End of the World is the remarkable, emotionally charged debut novel by Michael Linford. Weaving evocative, hard-hitting prose
with a powerful, character driven narrative, Linford delivers a tale of love,
sorrow, and nostalgia that will mesmerise and haunt the reader.
Excerpt
As I looked out over the city, I was expecting my final view of London to resemble a beautiful monster destroying the last remnants of business
and religion, like nature turning against its creator and making God bankrupt.
Instead there is quiet, such quiet, and a strange sense of calm. I look around the hill and can see the blurry outline of others sat here near me; I hope they have the same sense of hope and homecoming that I do. I feel for others who face losing people now, but at least they are leaving together; safety in numbers. I have been a lonely soul, wandering aimlessly, for too long now. I have had my music to comfort me and guide me home safely. As the last few seconds of my music runs out, I can feel the end is near.
You can find out more about Michael and his work at:
Website: http://www.michaellinford.co.uk/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cupidmagicpoet
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaeljameswriter
Debut novel available now - http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/produ...
cts/michael+linford/music+for+the+end+of+the+world/9528284/
09/02/14 - note from Tara
Michael now has a fresh new blog, full of creativity, which he is currently building - check out 'We are all recycled' here.