Alan Spence, author of poetry, novels, short stories and plays, was born in Glasgow. The city's sights and sounds permeate much of his work, including his first collection of short stories, Its Colours They Are Fine. In dealing with Scottish urban life, he brings to bear a compassionate detachment. Whatever their everyday preoccupations, his characters experience sudden flashes of wonder at the mystery of existence. This theme runs through The Magic Flute, Stone Garden and Way to Go.

As a poet, Alan Spence has made zestful use of haiku in Glasgow Zen, Seasons of the Heart and Clear Light. He uses the haiku form to explore the essential paradox of life, discovering timelessness in cycles of changes, immanence in the finite, simplicity in the intricate. He has received many awards for his writing. Alan Spence is based in Edinburgh where he and his wife run the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre. Contemplative meditation is at the heart of his life and the perspective derived from this practice informs all of his work. Alan is Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Aberdeen, where he is also artistic director of the annual WORD Festival.