Julian Gough

Julian Gough is an Irish writer and musician, known for novels and short fiction as well as for writing the closing narration of the video game Minecraft, «End Poem», a text that plays when a player reaches the game's ending. Born in London to Irish parents and raised in Ireland, he first gained attention as a member of the spoken-word/music group Toasted Heretic before establishing himself as a prose writer, publishing novels including Juno & Juliet and the Jude trilogy.

«End Poem» stands apart from his other work in that it reached an enormous audience through its placement inside one of the best-selling video games ever made, introducing his writing — a philosophical, warmly humanist meditation addressed to the player — to millions of people who might never otherwise encounter literary fiction. Its tone, mixing cosmic scale with intimate, direct address, reflects the blend of playfulness and sincerity found across Gough's writing more broadly.

Outside of «End Poem», Gough has built a reputation as a novelist and essayist unafraid to mix comedy with serious themes, and has been vocal in essays and public commentary about Irish literary culture. His work spans fiction, music and games writing, making him a somewhat unusual figure who moves between traditionally separate creative worlds.