A product of the Arvon Foundation and Northumbria University, Simon Van der Velde is an exciting new north-east writer whose short story, On Newton Beach, is based on the opening of his 2009 novel, Denial. 

Simon has recently completed his latest novel, The Benjamin Exhibition, the story of Tommy Farrier's search for his lost brother in the brutal underworld of Newcastle's east end.

His next novel, 20/20 Vision will be a political drama set in the near future, with society teetering towards the point of self-destruction.