Alan Fagan

I was born in Durban, South Africa in 1948 but lived in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) for 18 years. I completed my GCE 'O'Level at Guinea Fowl High School in Gwelo (Gweru) in 1964. I moved to Cape Town in 1970 and have lived in South Africa ever since. I have been in the insurance industry since 1965 with two breaks - one in 1985 - 1988 when I went to operate the Flame Motel in Athens Texas and the second when I ran my own restaurant - Cafe Dulce in Randburg, Johannesburg South Africa from 1996 to 1998.

During my insurance years, I was fortunate enough to travel and have been to London and other parts of England on many occasions, Paris and the French Rivera in France a number of times, Glasgow and Edinburgh Scotland as well as some outlying areas of Scotland. My four years in Texas was an amazing experience and is the subject of my next book titled 'Insanity Knows No Beauty' - it is fiction. I have also been fortunate to visit Australia.

I have enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember and have written many short stories - one published and dabble in poetry but not very good at that. My first book - From Under A Mango Tree was an emotional and difficult journey as I was writing about those that I had loved but have passed on. In another way it was very gratifying to keep their memories alive. Hope you enjoy the story.

Outside of writing and running my own insurance brokerage, I enjoy reading and in my younger days I loved marathon running. I participated in over 100 marathons and ultra marathons including two Comrades Marathons. In addition I love extreme pastimes. I have bunghi jumped on a few occasions, skydived and done a few zip lines and gorge swings. The final bucket list item is sit in the pool above Victoria Falls and I hope to do that before I cross the bridge.

I am married to Lee and have 3 amazing and loving step-children - all-in-all a very lucky guy. I live in a lovely Retirement village in Widenham on the Natal South Coast of South Africa.