Following on from my recent rumination about time and what to do with it (“Today’s the day“), over the last few days I have turned my attention to kick-starting some new Coverstory books publishing initiatives. The first of these is a new short story collection following on from the 2022 volume Making Marks in the Sand.
And I am surprised how energised I feel about getting back in the publishing saddle!
A second initiative – the sixth edition of New Contexts – will follow in about a month’s time. Not only do these projects inspire me, I confess I get enormous satisfaction in being able to help others get their work into print. Spending the time putting such volumes together is always effort well spent.
In terms of my own work I’m continuing to try and find an agent for 17 Alma Road (while simultaneously undertaking a little final editing based on beta reviewers’ feedback), as well as nibbling at a couple of works-in-progress – though I remain unsure as to their viability.
But that’s always the way, both the editing and the uncertainty around new ideas. Indeed, both of these are aspects of a writing life which – perhaps perversely – are glorious byproducts of being able to indulge in what I love doing most.
Ian Gouge - Writer 