Will Buckingham

Will Buckingham (born 28 September 1971) is a novelist, non-fiction writer, and philosopher.

Born in Norfolk, his education includes a master's degree in anthropology from Durham (1997) and a PhD in philosophy from Staffordshire University (2007).[1]

Buckingham held various academic posts including "Reader in Writing and Creativity" at De Montfort University, "Visiting Associate Professor" at Sichuan University, and "Visiting Professor of Global Cultures" at the Parami Institute, Yangon.[2]

Buckingham's novels often incorporate elements of his academic interests in philosophy and anthropology. The theme of "otherness" is ever-present. This is explored in his book Stealing with the Eyes about his experience doing anthropological research in the Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia (also the setting of the novel Cargo fever). An interest in the I-Ching led him to learn Chinese, travel to China, and write a novel, 64 Pieces, that consisted of 64 short stories inspired by the 64 hexagrams. His fiction has been translated into many languages.

The children's book The Snorgh and the Sailor was shortlisted for the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards, 2013.

Buckingham is currently based in Yangon, Myanmar where he teaches creative writing.

In 2019, The Bookseller announced that Granta Books had acquired the rights for Buckingham's new novel Hello Stranger to be published in 2020.[3]

Bibliography

Non-fiction

  • Hello Stranger. Granta, 2021.[4][5][6]
  • Stealing with the Eyes. Haus Publishing, 2018.[7]
  • Teach Yourself: Complete Write a Novel Course. Hodder & Stoughton, 2015.
  • Levinas, Storytelling and Anti-Storytelling. Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.
  • A Practical Guide to Happiness: Think Deeply and Flourish. Published by Icon / Totem Books in 2012.
  • The Philosophy Book. Dorling Kindersley, 2010.
  • Finding Our Sea-Legs: Ethics, Experience and the Ocean of Stories. Kingston University Press, 2009.

Fiction

  • Sixty-Four Chance Pieces. Earnshaw Books, 2015.
  • Goat Music. Roman Books, 2015.
  • The Descent of the Lyre. Roman Books, 2012.[8]
  • Cargo Fever. Tindal Street Press, 2007.

Children's fiction

  • Lucy and the Rocket Dog. Knopf, 2015/2017.
  • The Snorgh and the Sailor. Alison Green books, 2012.

References

  1. ^ "About, Will Buckingham". Will Buckingham. 17 June 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Welcome, Will Buckingham". Will Buckingham. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Granta scoops Buckingam's 'sparkling' strangers' book – The Bookseller". thebookseller.com. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  4. ^ "The vital art of talking to strangers". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  5. ^ Guha, Martin (2 January 2022). "Review: the power of strangers". Journal of Mental Health. doi:10.1080/09638237.2021.1979496. ISSN 0963-8237.
  6. ^ Kahn-Harris, Keith (14 July 2021). "Hello, Stranger by Will Buckingham review – how we find connection in a disconnected world". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Writing wrongs". TLS. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  8. ^ "The Descent of the Lyre by Will Buckingham - TheBookbag.co.uk book review". www.thebookbag.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2025.