Armstrong, Kevin D. 1973–

PERSONAL: Born August 15, 1973, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada; son of Paul (a cardiologist) and Beverly (a teacher; maiden name, Dawson) Armstrong. Ethnicity: "Anglo." Education: Queen's University, B.A., 1996, master's certificate, 1998. Religion: "Miscellaneous." Hobbies and other interests: Wind-surfing, music, wine.

ADDRESSES: Home—115 Osland Dr., Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2A2, Canada. Agent—Denise Bukowski, The Bukowski Agency, 14 Prince Arthur Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5R 1A9, Canada. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer. First mate on sailing yacht, 1997–98, 2000–01.

AWARDS, HONORS: Western Magazine Award, Western Magazine Association, 2001, and Journey Prize, Canadian Writer's Trust/McClelland and Stewart, 2001, both for "The Cane Field."

WRITINGS:

Night Watch (short stories), Penguin Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.

WORK IN PROGRESS: A novel set in Micronesia.

SIDELIGHTS: Kevin D. Armstrong told CA: "My primary motivations for writing? Giving characters the freedom to act—for better or worse—without my own moral or fearful constraints, and hoping their experience teaches me something. Travel inspires through paradox: each individual and culture is unique, yet I find a universality of human struggle and desire. Story crystallizes this axiom, and, among other things, facilitates further communication. My chosen subjects stem from experiences I have witnessed/heard about that open the door to character and the narrative each one subsequently chooses. Usually, I start with some vague objective in mind: getting there provides the challenges and the excitement, because this objective often changes the nearer to the end I get."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, July, 2003, Carrie Bissey, review of Night Watch, p. 1862.

Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2003, review of Night Watch, p. 817.

Publishers Weekly, July 28, 2003, review of Night Watch, p. 78.