Q: What is ‘A Foreign Education’ about?

It is the story of Ross Cooper – a young British exchange student at an American university. He sets out to experience all that studying abroad has to offer, with partying and womanising being at the very top of his agenda.

Q: And who should read it?

I think the humour will appeal to anyone who enjoys movies like ‘American Pie’ or ‘Animal House’. You definitely need to appreciate smut, debauchery and general rudeness, but there is a more intelligent side to the novel too. Honestly.

Q: What was your inspiration?

I’m an English guy who spent a year studying in America, so it didn’t take me too long to come up with the idea. I’ve actually wanted to write this novel ever since I returned to England in 1996, but it just took me a while to get around to it.

Q: Aren't you tarnishing the reputation of the University of Colorado?

Not at all. Drink, drugs and sex are all part of the story, but these things go on at every University in America just as they do in England. And besides, students flock to the University of Colorado because of its party reputation so my novel is probably boosting recruitment.

Q: So is the book based on your time in America?

Not really. The main character and I both studied at the University of Colorado and we both had a college radio show, but apart from that we are completely different people. Of course, I also studied physics, a bit like Ross. And I used to go running in my spare time too, also a bit like Ross. But we are chalk and cheese, really. Perhaps Ross is the kind of guy that I wish I could have been at that age – able to carry off a lack of social confidence with an endearing charm and a string of witty comebacks.

Q: How about the other characters – are they based on people you met over there?

All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. If you know me and think that you can see an element of yourself in one of the characters, then you are quite clearly mistaken.

Q: I was once a Japanese exchange student with a tenuous grasp of English and a rather large penis. Are you sure that one of your characters isn’t based on me?

Definitely not. I never even saw your penis so how could I possibly come up with that ridiculous idea?

Q: Are any of the situations Ross gets himself into based on your own experiences?

Although I haven’t yet spent any time in jail, I have been country dancing in the past. I know, I know; I would have preferred jail time, trust me. There might be other subtle influences in the story here and there, but my time studying abroad wasn’t quite as eventful as Ross Cooper’s.

Q: Who parties the hardest – students in the US or the UK?

Definitely students in America. Yes, British students drink rather large quantities and can usually handle their booze better than Americans, but their evenings are generally risk-free. Most students in America are under the legal drinking age (21 compared with 18 in England), and the police are all too keen to cart underage drinkers off to a jail cell for the night. So these guys really do risk a lot to have a few beers and a good time – you really must respect them for that. Read my article on this subject.

Q: Do the locations used in the book actually exist?

Most of the locations are real, such as the University of Colorado, Cheyenne Arapaho Hall, Chautauqua Park, The Hill, FlatIron Crossing, and Larimer Square. I must, however, stress that ‘Sam’s Adult Emporium’ is one location that is entirely the work of my imagination. If the description seems accurate then it is merely testament to my creative writing skills and not proof that I have undertaken extensive background research.

Q: How about the music?

Most of the music referred to in the book is real and kicks some serious ass. I've put together a soundtrack for the novel which includes most of the songs featured plus other music that goes well with the story. If you read the novel while listening to the soundtrack you should find that it mirrors the flow of the story. Yes, I've got too much time on my hands. You can see the track listing for the soundtrack here.

Q: Didn't ‘A Foreign Education’ used to be available in a paperback that I could hold, smell and stroke?

Yes it did, but it is now out of print (although you might still be able to find some copies on Amazon). In the interests of sharing the book with the world I have now released it into the wild as a completely free PDF download for everyone to enjoy, no strings attached. You can download it here. Virtual stroking is permitted.

Q: And who else helped out with the book?

My wife, Dawn, has provided constant support and remarkably little nagging during the long evenings and weekends I have spent tapping away at my keyboard. My good Coloradan friend, Dave Bagwell, has provided plenty of encouragement and astute editorial advice. Mark Hooper has corrected my grammar and typographical errors, whilst also teaching me what a compound adjective is. Robin Sandry is to be credited with making me look thoughtful and mildly intelligent on my portrait photograph. And finally, Clare Louise Mobbs is the artistic talent behind the cover illustration – you can read more about her work in the ‘Making the Cover’ feature.