Jon Grimes
Jon Grimes is a British author whose stories blend everyday Northern humour with grounded, character‑first storytelling. Writing under his own imprint, Grimes Press, he focuses on the small moments, sharp dialogue, and working‑class wit that shape real life in the North.
His debut novel, Shift It, launches The Lateral Lads series and introduces readers to Jay and Kay — two mates whose banter, bad luck, and stubborn loyalty drive the heart of the story. Grimes’ light-hearted style brings these characters to life with warmth, sarcasm, and the kind of humour you only get from people who’ve grown up together.
The Lateral Lads
The Lateral Lads follows two lifelong mates, Jay and Kay, as they try to get themselves properly sorted. With everyday Northern humour, bad decisions, and the kind of friendship that survives almost anything, the series dives into the chaos, charm, and sideways logic of two lads just trying to make life work.
1. Shift It
Jay Briggs is fundamentally, philosophically sorted. He just owes Tommy Malone £4,260, has a talent for lateral problem-solving that keeps landing him in court, and is currently transporting a mysterious taped-up shoebox across the North West for a man who once allegedly made a debt collector apologise to him.
With his best mate Kay (Haribo connoisseur / accidental karaoke legend) in the passenger seat of a dying Vauxhall Astra, Jay sets off on what should be a simple delivery to Liverpool. One box. One night. No questions asked.
What follows is one very long Tuesday involving a car chase through Hulme, a laundrette misunderstanding, a surprise 60th, and a pigeon that has formed strong opinions about the situation.
Warm, hilarious, and sharply observed, Shift It is a love letter to friendship, bad decisions, and the small northern miracles that happen when two lads from Oldham decide — for once — to see something through properly.