HE’S got his fingers in many pies – literature, radio and lecturing.

And 2011 is set to be a busy year for Michael Stewart.

The Huddersfield University lecturer launches his first novel, King Crow, in January.

Then in February his second play will be broadcast on Radio 4.

And in March he leads the sixth Huddersfield Literature Festival which has an impressive line-up including Marsden’s Simon Armitage and Dewsbury’s David Peace.

But the busy year starts with the launch of his first novel, which has been more than two years in the making.

King Crow tells the story of 16-year-old Cooper, and the book’s opening line:‘When I look at people I wonder what sort of bird they are?’ really sets the scene for what unfolds.

Cooper is a boy who, after being excluded from school, seeks comfort in birds – of the feathered variety.

He sees people as birds and makes friends with Ashley, who he sees as a raven.

Cooper and Ashley go on an adventure to find a raven and stumble upon a body, from there they encounter trouble just when they sought to escape it.

Michael says: “It’s a psychological drama, a thriller and a bit of a birding manual.

“I had some interest in birds but I had to do some research.”

In King Crow, Michael draws on his own experience of school and being excluded.

It features one of his teachers – the only one who Michael says didn’t write him off while at school.

“They probably thought I’d never come to anything, but one teacher had time for me,” he said. “But the education system doesn’t work for some people. The best thing that could have happened to me was being excluded because it meant I could spend more time in the library.”

King Crow officially launches in Manchester on January 27, when it goes on general sale.

Michael launches it in Huddersfield’s Sleepers Bar on the evening of Tuesday, February 8, where Chaz T and the Ersatz Jazz Sextet will perform a set, including a song inspired by King Crow.

Michael will also hold a book signing at Waterstone’s, New Street, Huddersfield on Saturday, February 12, at midday.

After that, Michael is looking forward to his second play hitting the airwaves once again.

Radio 4 chose Valentine’s Day to tell the story of Michael’s Castaway, which ironically is an anti-love story.

The guy gets the girl, but is it the right guy?

Castaway features Kevin Eldon, who made a name for himself in TV programmes such as Alan Partridge, Black Books and Brass Eye. He was on Michael’s wish list from the beginning.

Michael says: “I pitched a few ideas to Radio 4 and they asked me to develop them.

“The commissioner got me a slot and it’s ironic this story will be told on Valentine’s Day as it’s not the most traditional love story.”

It’s his second play to feature on Radio 4, his first, Excluded, was well received.

“I sat in on the recording for Castaway but I’ve not heard the edited version – they record it out of sequence so it will be good to hear it for the first time.”

Castaway features on Radio 4 on Monday, February 14, at 2.15pm.

And then it’s back to organising the 2011 Huddersfield Literature Festival, as Michael adds: “It never stops, but it’s gone from strength to strength.”