Ray Canham

Bio:

Born in London and raised in Hertfordshire and Suffolk, Ray was drifting through high school until he discovered punk rock. From then on, he spent his time nurturing a singular lack of musical ability, until realising too late that exam success might have been a better option. Despite his abysmal school results, he went on to forge a career as a nurse, such was the desperation of the NHS in the early 80s.

In 2016 he and his wife Alison decided to leave the rat race, so they sold their home and spent the year living in a motorhome.

Life on the road re-ignited a desire to write that had never been entirely extinguished despite the best efforts of his teachers. His previous writing experience includes company annual reports, a punk rock fanzine and forging notes from his mother to excuse him from PE.

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Downwardly Mobile

In 2018 he published his first book, Downwardly Mobile, documenting his and Alison’s life on the road and spending the best part of 2016 working at festivals and discovering the UK from the vantage point of their Motorhome called Mavis.

‘A great read! The sense of humour of the author is evident throughout…If you've ever wondered why you live like you do and feel like you have the potential to swap the rat race for a more relaxing way of life you may well find this book inspiring.’

‘I found it a real pleasure and joy to read … and it isn’t just any old travel adventure book, either. There’s history, there’s humour, there’s behind the scenes at music festivals and you also get the laugh-out-loud family reminiscences as a side dish!’

‘You could imagine yourself looking out of the window and seeing it with your own eyes, such was the way it was described. Be prepared to laugh out loud, I got some funny looks when reading this on the bus when I would chuckle and then cry in equal measure. Be sure to read this book.’

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Still Following Rainbows

After moving to the Isle of Mull and living in their motorhome while working at a 14th century castle, Ray published the next instalment of his and Alison’s adventures in Still Following Rainbows. It documents the highs and lows of adjusting to life and work on Mull, with snippets of history, vivid descriptions of the landscape and plenty of humour.

“I absolutely loved this. It was so well written, and the brilliant descriptions made me feel part of Alison and Ray’s journey. Many parts made me laugh out loud and others made me feel quite emotional.”

“I want to visit this beautiful island when we are next in Scotland. It sounds amazing and Rays’ descriptions of the scenery was so good, I felt I was there!”

“I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Ray is a gifted storyteller, and his words have the power to draw out a whole range of emotions as we journey with himself, Alison, and Mavis to a new life on a Scottish island. It's real, it's raw and it will make you want to visit Mull!”

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Even Unicorns Die

At the beginning of the lockdown in 2020 Ray decided to do his bit for the Covid-19 lockdown and raid his scrap book for unpublished articles, short stories and pieces cut from his other books as an economy-priced diversion for everyone stuck at home. So, he published Even Unicorns Die - a collection of short stories, articles and assorted nonsense.

“Wow! This is very different from Ray's autobiographical writing: be warned! It's a delight to read - but don't let that fool you into expectations of a collection of lightweight, heart-warming, feel-good fuzz. This writing has depth and darkness. There are political observations, stories with unexpected stings, thought-provoking reflections, hellish humour, and an alphabet rhyme which you wouldn't want anywhere near your children! It's good. Very good! Order a copy at once!”

“I loved this collection of short stories and articles. A page-turner as you never know quite what Ray is going to write next! The dark verse was a real surprise. Great read and would thoroughly recommend.”

“Provocative, punchy punk-fiction. I say fiction, but I get a sense it straddles real life for the author in many places. Sometimes scathing, other times scintillating. This hotchpotch of short stories and observations is well worth your time and, let’s be honest, very little of your money.”

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Duart Castle in Lockdown

The third instalment of Ray and Alison’s adventures as they face the 2020 Covid pandemic and lockdown in a remote 14th century Scottish castle.

On the Hebridean island of Mull the residents of the ancient seat of Clan Maclean, Duart Castle, find themselves thrown together as a 'bubble' during two lockdowns and a brief window when they opened the castle to the public in extraordinary circumstances.

This book tells their story. told by Ray, with stories and anecdotes from the people who lived and worked at the castle during the year, it's full of funny and heart-warming tales from the front line of the castle, nuggets of history and exclusive insights into the castle and its inhabitants.

All proceeds will be going towards the castle restoration, a major project that relies upon income from visitors, who have been significantly lower in number than usual because of the pandemic and restrictions on the business.

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If you have any questions or queries about any of Rays work you can contact him at rayscanham@gmail.com.

https://www.facebook.com/raycanhamauthor