Tony Riches

I am a full time writer and live with my wife in Pembrokeshire, one of the most unspoilt areas of the UK.

Like many authors, I began writing short stories and contributing to a range of magazines but when I first read Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft I was inspired to begin writing books.

My first novel, ‘Queen Sacrifice’ was written after looking into the early history of Wales and seeing the parallels to a game of chess, with kings and queens, bishops and castles – and the people becoming pawns in their civil wars.

An interest in space exploration going back to witnessing the Apollo landings as a child led to the writing of Atlantis – The Final Space Shuttle Mission and development of  the NASA Latest blog, which has only been possible through the generous support of the NASA media team.

Before becoming a writer I was Head of Cardiff harbour Authority and supported the Captain Scott Society with exhibitions on the departure of Scott's ship the Terra Nova from Cardiff Docks in 1910. I have since researched and written Terra Nova: Antarctic Voyager with support from the Glamorgan Archives and Captain Scott's granddaughter, Dafila Scott.



When not writing I enjoy sea and river kayaking and run a specialist blog Kayak Journeys about some of my more interesting kayak adventures.  I also enjoy hiking and plan to complete the full 186 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast path which passes fifty-eight beautiful beaches and fourteen harbours.

Other interests include music and art. I have a blog called The Awakening Conscience where I occasionally write about Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.