MILTON KEYNES, UK. August 3, 2026 – Author Andrew Bustin will make his publishing debut on 11 September 2026 with Eight Men Rowing, a nostalgic work inspired by his years at boarding school. Filled with humour, sporting adventures and reflections on youth, the book offers readers an engaging journey through school life in Britain during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Combining coming-of-age storytelling with sporting themes, the book captures the friendships, traditions and memorable experiences that defined life inside a British boarding school.
The story unfolds at the fictional St. Steven’s boarding school, where a talented group of rowers pursue sporting success while navigating friendships, competition and the ups and downs of adolescence.
From rowing and rugby to classroom adventures and school traditions, the stories highlight determination, resilience and the humorous side of growing up.
Andrew chose not to produce a straightforward autobiography. Instead, he created a series of entertaining stories inspired by real events, with each chapter covering another year of school life from ages 11 to 18.
Because fact and fiction are intentionally intertwined, readers are invited to decide which parts reflect real experiences and which have been imaginatively developed.
The first section, WON, celebrates the excitement of rowing, teamwork and sporting achievement.
The second section, TOO, focuses on the realities of boarding school life, including classroom antics, strict discipline and the relationships between pupils and teachers.
A further unique feature is the inclusion of deliberate inaccuracies throughout the book, encouraging readers to investigate details and discover the correct information for themselves.
Blending nostalgia, humour and memorable storytelling, Eight Men Rowing offers an enjoyable reading experience for fans of British school stories, memoir-inspired fiction and tales of enduring friendship.
Reflecting on what inspired him to write the book, Andrew Bustin said, “Eight Men Rowing is my tribute to the friendships, challenges and unforgettable moments of boarding school life. I wanted to capture not only the excitement of sport and the mischief of school days, but also the experiences that shape us long after we leave. I hope readers will enjoy the journey, smile at the stories, and perhaps reflect on their own memories along the way.”
Born in Sussex in 1953, Andrew pursued a lifelong ambition to become an author after retiring from careers in local government, entertainment and catering.
Although English was once his most challenging subject at school, his determination to prove his teachers wrong eventually became part of the inspiration behind his writing career.
After more than three years of work and with the encouragement of his wife, Andrew completed Eight Men Rowing, creating a distinctive debut that combines nostalgia, originality and reader interaction.
