Book: Sockpuppet
Genre: Crossover thriller
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication date(s): 2016 - date TBC
About: Matthew’s first career was as a professional child actor. From the age of ten, he had roles in TV dramas on the BBC and ITV, in films and at theatres including the Royal Court. After graduating from Oxford with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, he began a career in online communications, consulting for a range of clients from the BBC to major banks. Since 2008, he has been in public service, using his communication skills to help people understand and manage their money. Matthew is a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course.
Website: matthewblakstad.com
Twitter handle: @mattblak
Location: London
Writer Superpowers (specialist subjects): Privacy, identity and crime in the Internet age; How should fiction respond to the Internet and social media?; Trolling and public shaming on social media; false online identities and identity theft; The Anonymous movement and the Dark Net
