My inspirations include Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, George Orwell, Jack London, Charles Dickens, Ursula Le Guin, Bruce Chatwin, Paul Theroux, and others. I remain in awe of their skill.

My own work has ranged across war zones, tackled human rights, the rise of extremism, growth of subcultures, looked at geography, culture, travel and identity. These stories have taken me from the refugee camps of the former Yugoslavia, to civil war in Kurdistan, the kung fu masters of south-eastern China to the neo-nazi gangs of the UK.

Journalism:

My clients have included titles such as The Guardian, Scotsman, Boston Globe, New York Times, South China Morning Post, The Australian, Wired and GQ.

I've also managed web sites, written business journalism, been a consultant for non-profit groups, and acted as a consultant producer on a variety of TV projects, most recently the Sky One series "Ross Kemp on Gangs". In addition, I'm a guest lecturer on media issues, hate crimes and gangs.

Awards:

Such work won me a Special Commendation award from the International Federation of Journalists in 1999, after my first piece on neo-nazi gang Combat 18 was published in The Independent On Sunday Review.

In 2005 I was also longlisted for the Paul Foot Award for Campaigning Journalism, sponsored by Private Eye magazine and The Guardian.

Books:

HOMELAND, my first book, tackles the rise of the extreme right in a unique, sometimes disturbing, adventure/odyssey which has been compared to George Orwell's work. Adventure, travel and extremism, all rolled into one. You won't have read anything else like it. Find out more here.

Reviews for Homeland: 'reportage of the most illuminating kind - a vividly atmospheric narrative... unsettling and fascinating.' Times Literary Supplement, John Gray. 'a terrifying book that provokes nightmares, and makes me fear for the future of our civilised society...should appear in the bookcases of every politician in the land.' (Critic's Choice) Daily Mail, Geoffrey Wansell. 'Ryan's hard-hitting look at racist and fascist factions is topical to say the least...the overall picture of hatred on our streets is vivid.' The Mirror, Andrea Henry. 'A book on the far Right could not be more timely...a disturbing read.' The Observer, Antony Barnett. 'descends into a 'heart of darkness'...a harrowing tale' Intelligence Report, Heidi Beirich 'powerful cutting-edge ...highly-descriptive and fast-flowing prose, as heart stopping as any Tom Clancy thriller ...essential.' London Jewish News, Andrew Morris

What They Say "fascinating stuff" Kyle Crichton, foreign editor The New York Times Magazine "enormously interesting...I applaud your good work" Bruce Stirling, best-selling novelist and Wired columnist   "excellent...I filter through a lot of junk news trying to find quality as this...keep it up!!" Eric Umansky, former editor Mother Jones   "very strong...absolutely terrifying" Susan Sams, South China Morning Post   "excellent" Joel Campagna, Committee to Protect Journalists "excellent" Ian Irvine, arts editor The Independent "you write beautifully" Josh Knelman, The Walrus Magazine --- England Expects (BBC1, April 2004) was the first major TV drama on the Far Right in over 20 years. Nick Ryan was the show's creative producer. 'Steven Mackintosh was on blistering, chilling form for this dark and gripping drama' - The People 'a psychologically convincing portrait of how the powerless prey on the powerless' - The New Statesman 'a mesmerising performance' - Daily Record 'that rarity, a television production that dares to confront the despicable cesspit of bigotry, violence and paranoia that constitutes 21st-century reality' The Scotsman 'convincing...chilling...powerful' - The Guardian 'drama of the highest order' - The Herald

Literary Agent/TV Agent:
Robert Kirby/Charles Walker,
United Agents, 130 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London W1D 5EU, UK
e: cknee@unitedagents.co.uk
w: www.unitedagents.co.uk