Paul Burston - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I'm an author and journalist whose books include my best-selling first novel 'Shameless' (published in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and, er, Hungary). My second novel 'Star People' was published last year and reissued in paperback in September (UK, Canada and Australia). My latest, 'Lovers & Losers', was shortlisted for the Stonewall Award for Best Writer 2007. It tells the story of an 80s synth-pop duo and pays homage to the pop stars of the time. Reviews have been my best yet. 'Like his earlier novels, Burston's latest is fast-moving, compellingly plotted and very funny. But "Lovers & Losers" is also by turns exciting and convincingly moving' said 'Time Out'. '"Lovers & Losers" will appeal to those looking for something more than than the usual gay drool. Whether you're from the Heat generation or go teary over neon makeup, go buy this book', said 'Gay Times'. 'A wise and witty exploration of friendship, ambition, love and loss', said 'Attitude'. 'GScene' called it 'a perfect summer read', and 'Boyz' called it 'a page-turner'. Further details at my website link above, or see what other people have said by checking some of the comments below.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4

My Interests

Books, music, movies, travel, gym, gardening, snorkelling/diving. Two of the greatest experiences of my life were diving with great white sharks in South Africa and swimming with dolphins in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

I'd like to meet:

Fun people... people who aren't just here looking for sex... people who read books...people who want to read my books... Not in the market for romance, but new friends/fans/stalkers are always welcome. I also enjoy a spot of DJ-ing, playing retro and disco at Trash Palace, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern and at parties in London and Rio. I'm also host and DJ at a new 'gay literary salon' night called Polari at the Green Carnation on Greek Street. Next date is Thursday Dec 13 when my guest author will be Neil Bartlett. And if you're a fan of 80s music, you'll love A Club For Lovers & Losers at Trash Palace.

Music:

Marc Almond, The Associates, David Bowie, Blondie, Kate Bush, Vanessa Daou, EBTG, Elvis, Marianne Faithfull, Fleetwood Mac, Hed Kandi, Human League, Japan, Grace Jones, Kraftwerk, Mika, Joni Mitchell, Morrissey, Pet Shop Boys, Iggy Pop, Prince, Pulp, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Scissor Sisters, Siouxsie, The Smiths, Soft Cell, Suede, Donna Summer, David Sylvian, Velvet Undergound, Scott Walker, Amy Winehouse and many more.

Movies:

Alien, All About Eve, All That Heaven Allows, Boys In The Band, Brokeback Mountain, Carrie, Clueless, Crash, C.R.A.Z.Y, Echo Park, Exorcist, Hedwig, Imitation of Life, King Kong, Mysterious Skin, Night of the Hunter, Pink Narcissus, Querelle, Romy and Michelle, Sunset Boulevard, Team America, Time To Leave, Valley of the Dolls, Volver. Me and Timberlina presenting Carrie Night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

Television:

Six Feet Under, Blue Planet, 24, The Office, Buffy, Victoria Wood, Frasier, League of Gentlemen, The Simpsons, Band of Gold, Coronation Street, Creature Comforts, Planet Earth, Prime Suspect, Property Ladder, Dr Who, Medium, Nighty Night, Californication, Family Guy

Books:

Oscar Wilde, Jacqueline Susann, Michael Cunningham, Paul Magrs, Marian Keyes, Clive Barker, Neil Bartlett, Andrew Holleran, David Sedaris, Quentin Crisp, Stephen McCauley, Rupert Smith, Dorothy Parker, Stephen King, Armistead Maupin.

Heroes:

Oscar Wilde, Quentin Crisp, David Bowie, David Hoyle.

My Blog

Your History?

See this press cutting? It's from 1999, and a documentary I made for Channel 4 called 'Tony's Fairy Tales'. We projected that 'Why 28?' onto the Houses of Parliament to make the point that, two years ...
Posted by Paul Burston on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:50:00 PST

Lessons Learned On Santas Lap

As Christmas approaches, my thoughts turn once more to my dear old mum's photo album, and this rather charming photo of me aged 6 and none too pleased to be sitting on Santa's lap. Mum says I could be...
Posted by Paul Burston on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 09:42:00 PST

A Lad In Pyjamas

And so we enter the age of colour photography...Did you know that the original title for David Bowie's 'Low' album of 1977 was 'New Music Night & Day'? Well this is me 6 years earlier at Butlin's in M...
Posted by Paul Burston on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:48:00 PST

Ducks That Do Dishes

This photo was taken on my first day at Litchard Primary School. I was 5. I remember I cried a lot when my mum dropped me off. And I remember being comforted by a nice teacher called Mrs King.I think...
Posted by Paul Burston on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:37:00 PST

Tell It To The Marines

It's not often I wake from a night of drunken debauchery and think, 'I must apologise to the marines!' So last night's party with our friends Astrid and Philippa surely ranks as one of the more memor...
Posted by Paul Burston on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:46:00 PST

The Dog's Bollocks

You know that photo of David Bowie taken by David Bailey around the time of 'Diamond Dogs'? The one where he's staring glassily ahead while a Great Dane rears up at the camera? The one that looks som...
Posted by Paul Burston on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:32:00 PST

Scanners, Snappers and Ski-pants

When I was a lad, 'Scanners' was the title of a film by David Cronenberg about men with strange telekinetic powers which caused their heads to explode. Since I was already obsessed with 'Carrie', 'Sca...
Posted by Paul Burston on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:28:00 PST

Bona To Varder Multy Dolly Ekes In The Latty

What can I tell you about Polari? Well the launch night was last Thursday, and it was certainly 'bona to varder multy dolly ekes in the latty'. There were quite a few friends from myspace, not to ment...
Posted by Paul Burston on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:15:00 PST

Westwood, Hos and Polari

They wear a lot of Westwood in Liverpool. Not the clothes so much, but the accessories - belt buckles, brooches, ear-rings. Arriving at The Lisbon for the second night running on Saturday, I was remin...
Posted by Paul Burston on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:05:00 PST

Back From Homotopia

Just back from Homotopia in Liverpool, where I spent a happy few days in the company of Rupert Smith, David Llewellyn, VG Lee, David Hoyle and Bette Bourne. I have two deadlines looming, so a full rep...
Posted by Paul Burston on Sun, 04 Nov 2007 10:59:00 PST