Robert Alan Jamieson was born in 1958 into the crofting community of Sandness on Shetland. Since graduating from the University of Edinburgh he has held the William Soutar Fellowship, co-edited the Edinburgh Review and tutored creative writing at Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. His work appears in many anthologies, he has published a poetry collection (Shoormal) and three novels (Soor Hearts, Thin Wealth and A Day at the Office). In 2005 A Day at the Office was featured in The List's '100 Best Scottish Books of All Time'. He is currently teaching a Creative Writing course at Edinburgh University.