Wayne Knott

Wayne grew up as the middle child in a large Christian Brethren family, one of eight siblings.

After ten years of schooling, he undertook a trade as a boilermaker. But it wasn't long after completing his apprenticeship that he realised he had a thirst for knowledge that boilermaking alone could never satisfy.

Over the following years, he attended Bible school, married, became the father of twin daughters and earned a degree in theology. His studies eventually took him to India, where he studied language at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.

Eventually, both his marriage and his faith broke down. What followed were many years of travelling the world, searching for meaning and challenging himself through one adventure after another.

His interests over the years have included sea kayaking, cycle touring, rock climbing, hiking, hunting, classic cars, permaculture and birding.

Wayne had always said that one day he would write a book, even taking a writing course along the way. His lifelong curiosity also led him to study counselling, world religions, ancient cultures and cross-cultural communication.

That combination of experience, curiosity and a willingness to question long-held beliefs eventually found its way into his first novel, The Midianite.

Now happily remarried and a grandfather of five, Wayne is a very content agnostic.