Stuart Handysides grew up in the Midlands but lived in south east England for many years. He began writing as a general practitioner, continued while working as an editor of medical publications, and found himself writing poetry. His poems have appeared in various magazines and anthologies and had some success in competitions. His play Gleaming for an Instant was performed online in 2020. He ran the Ware Poets competition for 11 years.

His new collection 'the last one picked' is due out with Indigo Dreams at the end of 2025. These poems reflect on time itself and points in time, times past and passing; places and passions; political and social change; art and music; childhood, work and ageing; growing up in a deeply religious family; love, loneliness and death, of course; the unaccountable memories and dreams that fail to disappear.