A glimpse into my story

A glimpse into my books

Hello! I’m Faidon, a writer and scientist. I was born in Athens, Greece, in 1990, and as a child, I was terrible at soccer but good with words. The former was evident to all, while the latter was something I used to hide — more often than not, it’s easier to hide our strengths than our weaknesses. Meanwhile, I was dreaming of becoming a physicist because the world seemed too interesting to remain undiscovered; the world was complicated, I was curious, and we got along nicely, the two of us. 

In 2013, I graduated with distinction from the School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Technical University of Athens. My original plan was to fulfil my dreams of becoming a physicist, but I graduated as a mathematician with a specialisation in engineering instead. My life’s plan took an unexpected turn, as often happens to plans that have the nerve to look the future in the eye.

A year later, I enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. Computational simulation of stent graft devices for abdominal aortic aneurysms… colloquially: go figure. The bottom line was that life was good, apart from the weather (Glasgow has 1,216 hours of sunshine annually, while Athens has 2,773, but who’s counting?).

In 2018, I earned my doctorate and worked as a post-doctoral researcher in cardiovascular devices, while in 2022, I started a new career as a data analyst, still hoping for a sunnier future — I do not imply brighter. 

Alongside science, art has always accompanied me; as a calling, a true love, a way to dig deeper in search of what is actually out there. In the past, I used to draw; now, I’m also dancing Argentine tango, yet the one thing I never stopped doing was writing.

I’ve been writing children’s stories since I was a child, along with verses, teenage poems, sketches of novels, my first completed novel… One creation followed another, and by the time I graduated from high school, I decided it was about time to start sharing my art; that is, to get exposed.

I was published in online poetry magazines, received a distinction in the 27th Delphic Poetry Competition (2012), participated in creative writing workshops, and, over time, started finding my voice, which is to say, I managed to express more by saying less.

Before I turned 25, I published my first picture book, The Soup of Wisdom (Metaichmio Publications, 2015), followed a few years later by Christmas Dream (Martis Publishing, 2019). A year later, my debut novel, The Guillotine of Nafplio (Kedros Publishers, 2020), reached the bookshelves amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, yet it survived the lockdown. Since then, I have published The Magic Soil (Martis Publishing, 2022), The Safe Box Maker (Kedros Publishers, 2023), and If Others Had Such a Monocular (Metaichmio Publications, 2024). Behind them, more books are queuing as I keep writing children’s stories, novels, lyrics, and spoken word poetry; in Greek, as always, but not exclusively. Brand new English stories are also in the making. Stay tuned!

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Legend has it that when Queen Victoria read Alice in Wonderland, she was thoroughly impressed by the story and asked its author to send her a copy of his next book. Yet Lewis Carroll, apart from being a wonderful storyteller, was also a mathematician. The outcome? The signed copy Her Majesty eventually received was a delightful book of algebra…

Anyone who wishes to get a glimpse of the emotions the Queen experienced is very welcome to have a look at my scientific work:

Evaluation of a New Approach for Modeling Full Ring Stent Bundles with the Inclusion of Manufacturing Strains

A Methodology to Quantify the Geometrical Complexity of the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Analysing The Cross-Section of The Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Neck and Its Effects on Stent Deployment

Efficiently Simulating an Endograft Deployment: A Methodology for Detailed CFD Analyses

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You are welcome to contact me at faidon.kyriakou@gmail.com

A glimpse into my books

The Safe Box Maker
Historical novel
Kedros Publishers, 2023

On the day Nazi forces invade Athens, a coffin maker awakens in a hospital, recovering from a failed suicide attempt. Yet as the city falls under Axis occupation, the surrounding despair offers him an unexpected glimmer of hope. In the months that follow, he confronts the ghosts of his past — buried guilt, long-held secrets, and the love he tried to forget — searching for liberation. Amidst the rising decay, he walks a treacherous path between survival and redemption, seeking to regain control of his shattered life.

“Faidon Kyriakou is among the most complete authors I had the good fortune to read.”
Dominica Amat

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The Guillotine of Nafplio
Historical novel
Kedros Publishers, 2020

In a secluded cell of a Greek castle in 1872, two prisoners on death row confront their impending fate. As they share their final days, they reminisce about their lives filled with tragedy and triumph, recounting tales from philhellenic Paris, the Greek War of Independence, and encounters with influential figures who shaped the world. Amidst the shadows of their pasts, an unexpected friendship blossoms, transforming their final moments into a profound journey of connection and redemption.

“A true literary gem! A masterpiece comparable to very important works from the past!”
Στον αστερισμό του βιβλίου

“One of the best novels I’ve ever read.”
Βιβλίων έργα

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If Others had Such a Monocular
Picture book
Metaichmio Publications, 2024

The hero of this tale possesses a powerful monocular. If others wielded such a device, they would uncover new stars, explore the depths of the ocean, encounter elves, and peer into the fiery hearts of colossal volcanoes. This hero, however, is not the adventurous type; he much prefers staying put. And yet, from his quiet corner, he manages to make the most amazing discovery of all!

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The Magic Soil
Picture book
Martis Publishing, 2022

In a town where magical fields can grow anything — cakes, books, pills, even jewellery — the people have long enjoyed the bounty of their enchanted land. But when the rains come and the magic soil grows them into a flood, the townspeople are forced to flee, only to discover that the same magic lies dormant within them. Stranded in a new land, they must now decide what is truly best to sow.

“A fabulous reading experience about the power of love that dwells within each of us.”
Pelio Papadia, editor-in-chief at Talcmag

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Christmas Dream
Picture book
Martis Publishing, 2019

When a mother encounters Santa Claus, she eagerly drags him home to meet her children. But when she discovers that the kids are already fast asleep and impossible to wake, she realizes that only a remarkable plan can make her wish come true before the clock ticks down to Christmas morning.

“A Christmas picture book that blends imagination and humour, delivering a fabulous result. With modern and pleasing illustrations, wit, and originality.”
Μικρή παραμυθού

“An original, imaginative, and humorous Christmas tale that expands our imagination, bridging the gap between dreams and reality. The rhymes add tempo and vividness to the story, making it perfect for dramatization and improvisation.”
Elniplex

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Book cover

The Soup of Wisdom
Picture book
Metaichmio Publications, 2015

In the most renowned restaurant in the kingdom, a wizard and a giant create extraordinary dishes that delight diners from far and wide. Yet despite their success, they loathe every day spent together and constantly bicker. Everything changes, however, when they concoct the Soup of Wisdom and discover their surprising similarities.

A humorously written story that manages to convey significant takeaways.”
Kos Voice

“The text is truly enjoyable, witty, and fun. The themes that come to the surface are many and deep.
Elniplex

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