James Moffat

James Moffat, who writes under the pen name Richard Allen, has produced a number of 'pulp' novels for the UK publishing house New English Library during the 1970s. Many of his stories featured the often violent and sensationalist exploits of a fictional skinhead character, Joe Hawkins. Titles included; Skinhead, Suedehead, Skinhead Escapes, Trouble for skinhead and Skinhead Farewell. Allen also wrote a number of other titles aimed at exploiting various real or invented youth cultures, including Punk Rock, Teeny Bop Idol, Smoothies, Sorts (female versions of 'Smoothies', allegedly), Dragon Skins (Kung Fu fighting skinheads, apparently), Glam and others.

The collected works of Richard Allen have been reissued in a six volume set by ST Publishing [ST Publishing website]

Allen's formulaic and sensationalist writing style has been frequently parodied by Neoist writer and artist Stewart Home.