Stephen Griffiths is inspired by his experiences in the Far East, where he taught English as a foreign language. His fascination with people, places and cultures drew him first to Morocco, then to Pakistan and India in the 1990s before landing in Hong Kong, where he remained for the next seven years.

As well as The Kowloon English Club, he has written a play called Civic Duties and articles for newspapers and magazines in the UK. Aside from work, travel and writing, he keeps himself occupied by rambling in the countryside, playing and coaching football and, just recently, studying psychology.

For the time being, Stephen lives in an unpopular tower block in Stevenage, but he doesn't mind. After all, he's known worse.