Chris TorranceScots born, Chris Torrance was taken by his parents to suburban South London. His schooling was mediocre, the only high point a short story which was praised by the English teacher & given 10 out of 10. Torrance left school at 15 to begin a career inlaw, which lasted for 8 years. After that, he spent 5 years in various open-air labouring jobs. He helped to start a small mag called Origins/Diversions, which stimulated an interest in poetry, which he began writing in the mid-1960s. He soon became friendly with another young poet, Lee Harwood, whose influence was vitally important as Torrance concentrated on mainly contemporary US poetry, in particular the open field poetry of Charles Olson and cohort, and of course the Beats and the San Francisco Renaissance. His first books were published by Ferry Press. In 1970 Torrance moved to Wales & there began writing the series that became THE MAGIC DOOR. For 25 years Torrance tutored Adventures in Creative Writing for U.C. Cardiff. In the mid-1980s he linked up with musician- composer Chris Vine performing an eclectic brand of poetry and music. Read More Read Less