Two writers named Stephen Moss, both contributing to the Guardian, have found humour in their shared name and the constant mix-ups that result. One, a former literary editor and expert on chess and classical music, and the other, a Birdwatch columnist, have caused endless confusion among readers and colleagues.
A Tale of Two Mosses
The Birdwatch columnist recounted an incident where a member of Sedgemoor chess club invited him for a game, mistaking him for the chess expert. Another reader praised his birding articles but added that his classical music writing was 'absolutely wonderful', a compliment meant for the other Stephen Moss. To his shame, he admitted he did not credit his talented doppelganger.
The columnist, who lives in Mark, Somerset, has resigned himself to being 'the other Stephen Moss'. He writes a book about once a decade, usually on minority pursuits like chess or cricket, while the other Stephen Moss produces bestsellers every other month, including titles like The Owl, The Robin, and The Swan. With 11,000 bird species, there is ample material, but he insists he is not bitter.
Shared Careers and Misrouted Payments
Both are about the same age and have tracked each other's careers closely. One wrote for BBC Wildlife, the other for BBC Music magazine. The BBC sometimes sent him the other's cheques as payment, which were always welcome. Both have had long associations with the Guardian.
The Birdwatch columnist receives tempting offers for birdwatching holidays across Europe and the US, despite barely being able to tell a buzzard from a blackbird. He often gets emails from readers reporting rare bird sightings, to which he replies that it's a short-eared Siberian warbler, the first seen in the UK since 1711, advising them to report it to the RSPB.
A Missed Opportunity
Radio 5 Live once confused the two and invited him to discuss the killing of garden birds by domestic cats. He politely pointed out the mistake, but now realises he should have accepted and welcomed the bird massacre. That would have dented the reputation and sales of the other, annoyingly successful Stephen Moss. But he insists he is not bitter.
