Hello. I'm Xavier Leret. I am a writer, theatre director and film maker based in London. I write all sorts, and I have directed a wide variety of theatrical stuff. I have written a number of plays all of which have been performed - I'm very lucky to be the Artistic Director of KAOS Theatre www.kaostheatre.com. I am making my first feature film this Spring. I am also writing a novel, Caring for Daisy Byatt, which I have to say is taking some time. I am not one of these writers who can just spit out pages, tragically I fight for every sentence, so I have a feeling that this might take, because a lot keeps getting in the way, another couple of years. In the meantime I'm going to serialise another piece of work which you will find in the 'novels' section of this blog.
On this site you will find my work, and, as it all evolves, I shall publish work, in a variety of different formats, so that you can read them on all sorts of gadgets. The world has changed and technology means that words and images can be copied, ripped and shared - I invite you to do the same. Others in the arts will fight tooth and nail to try and prevent you doing this to their work, for me this is like corking a broken bottle. Personally I believe that it is better that my work gets read as this might lead to my plays getting another opportunity to be performed - this will only happen if I let you have access to it. It is better that you read it, than it remains a secret on my hard drive - I agree with Cory Doctorow on this one, secrecy is not a great business model for a writer.
I am going to be putting completed work here and work in progress. So please read, make comments, pass stories onto friends. All I ask is that if you put a play on or you adapt a story, and you make money then please give me some. I know theatre is a tough one to make money at but it is possible. I will totally understand if you make a loss, but if you are paying your actors you can pay me and if you are a teacher you can definitley chuck some cash my way. I won't make any demands, if you want to chop and change stuff go ahead, afterall that's exactly what I do when preparing to direct someone else's work.
What else do I need to tell you? I was brought up in Bristol, UK, and I now live in London with my wife and two children.
I need to say a very big thank you to my good friend Phil Morle, who has been badgering me for years to put my work on line, and has given up hours of his time to make sure the site runs smoothly.
With the stories and novel please credit me. Most importantly enjoy the work.