Giles Watson is a writer and teacher of English and Drama who lives in Albany/Kinjarling, WA. Born in England, he migrated to Australia at the age of one, grew up in Canberra, and returned to live in Britain for 18 years, completing a doctoral thesis on British cultural and religious history during the Second World War. There, he grew fascinated with ancient landscapes, writing prolifically in response. In 2013, he returned to Western Australia. Eungedup: A Wetland Summer Diary chronicles his quest to gain a sense of belonging in his new home.
He has a long-standing fascination with natural history, mediaeval texts, folklore and mythology, and he has worked as a volunteer in wildlife rehabilitation, specialising in orphaned and injured owls. He has also written songs with Albany singer–songwriter Simone Keane.
Giles is the author of several published works, including the libretto for Mimma: A Musical of War and Friendship, performed at the Regal Theatre in Perth and Cadogan Hall in London; A Witch’s Natural History (Troy Books), a book of essays on the folklore of natural history; and a large body of poetic work, both self-published and in literary journals. Giles is also the editor of Ten Poems About Butterflies (Candlestick Press).
