James Masters

James Masters began writing by default.

Originally James' life revolved around sport: he was Head of PE at a large comprehensive school in Cleveland and was heavily involved in athletics, competing as a pole vaulter in the Northern League, gaining the Silver medal at the North East Decathlon Championships and coaching at International level.

He was one of the squad coaches to the Great Britain Decathlon team and spent some time in Bangkok coaching the Thai combined events athletes and lecturing to their coaches.

Unfortunately this lifestyle was cut short when James was struck down with M.E. after contracting an enterovirus on a GB training camp in Crete when he was 35.

After being seriously ill for a number of years, James retired from teaching and began writing as a therapy. Fortunately he never lost his sense of humour throughout all of his ordeals, which can clearly be seen even in his more serious topics.

He had several newspaper and magazine articles published before his first book "Working In Sport" in 1999. Since then James has written two more editions of the same title as well as publishing the website "Skiing on a Shoestring".

His plans to write a novel next were put on the backburner when two friends independently suggested he should write an autobiography detailing all the incredible adventures (and mainly misadventures) that he has experienced throughout his teaching career.

The resultant "FATED . . . but I never wanted to be a teacher" sold like hotcakes and received 4.8 stars out of five from twelve reviewers on Amazon.

Readers also requested a follow up book.

"Food Parcels To Reading" the resultant prequel told the story of his journey into becoming a PE teacher:- from his tough upbringing in post war Middlesbrough, to the painful process of being transformed by attending a traditional grammar school, and ultimately going on to college to train as a teacher.

"Food Parcels . . ." has been well received, verbally, by readers, but to date has only had one review (5 star) published on Amazon.

James is now working on "Calamity James" - more details on that to follow!

Footnote: Slave Trade (1997) is not by the same author