Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch" is simply brilliant - and "The Secret History" and "The Little Friend" are not that far behind. If I have a criticism of "The Little Friend" it's really a banal one: it's a bit too long... The last chapter, where it really picks up the pace (and obviously builds on all … Continue reading “The Little Friend”
Author: Ian Gouge
As a compulsive writer, I have authored nearly thirty books: novels, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry, and some non-fiction. As an independent publisher (using my Coverstory books imprint), I have also produced a number of books for other writers, plus anthologies in which many contributors have had their work showcased - some for the first time. All of which is somewhat irrelevant without you, my readers. Please check-out my sites - including the links to my podcast. I would be delighted if you found something you decided you would like to read.
Writing Retreat – Day 3
Somehow I just knew the value of trying something like this would surface in multiple ways... On Wednesday I had a minor, innocuous encounter on a short walk from the house. During the evening 'reading' session, the conversation turned to what we write about, how those things manifest themselves, etcetera. And it was at that … Continue reading Writing Retreat – Day 3
Writing Retreat – Day 2
It's funny how writing can abuse you, isn't it? Well, not funny exactly. In fact, almost the opposite. After a pretty buoyant day yesterday, today has been a real struggle to get going. Fewer words - and 'less good' words too! - on the prose piece; a bit more of a struggle to find momentum … Continue reading Writing Retreat – Day 2
Writing Retreat – Day 1
If I'm honest, I was worried about how slowly time would pass... but the day is structured so well with really useable chunks of time, that this just isn't an issue. And the company's great! Day 1 summary: 1200 words drafted on a prose 'thing' I'm working on; 2 new poems drafted, plus some rework … Continue reading Writing Retreat – Day 1
To advance, Retreat..!
Tomorrow afternoon I go away to my very first "Writers' Retreat". A week in a remote Pennines location with like-minded folk; four full days with nothing to get in the way of writing - and walking, talking, reading, and taking photographs. Perhaps it's long overdue, I don't know. But I can confess to being a … Continue reading To advance, Retreat..!
“An English Guide to Birdwatching”
It is very rare these days that I am blown away by the opening of a book. However, the first chapter of Nicholas Royle's "An English Guide to Birdwatching" was, I thought, stunning. I was immediately drawing internal parallels with people like Graham Swift - and praise from me doesn't get much greater than that. … Continue reading “An English Guide to Birdwatching”
“The Noise of a Fly”
There can be little doubt that there are some great lines and phrases in Douglas Dunn's most recent volume of poems, "The Noise of a Fly". However, in spite of this, I found myself distracted by a) the many lists that appear throughout the poems, b) the slavish adherence to the (sometimes too forced?) rhyming … Continue reading “The Noise of a Fly”
Coverstory books
Coverstory books, my new publishing imprint is now LIVE! You can find the website at http://www.coverstorybooks.com or via the link here: Coverstory books
“Mama Amazonica”
There are some beautiful images in Pascale Petit's volume of poetry, "Mama Amazonica", even though the underlying subject is sobering: 'the story of (her) mentally ill mother and the consequences of abuse'. However, in spite of the quality of some of the writing, the subject matter is totally unrelenting; poem after poem on the same … Continue reading “Mama Amazonica”
“The Man Who Walked Through Walls”
The problems with translations is, of course, that if what you read doesn't quite strike a chord then it's impossible to know if the source of this discomfort is the original work or the translation. Marcel Ayme's "The Man Who Walked Through Walls" (translated by Sophie Lewis) is a bit like that for me: discomfort. … Continue reading “The Man Who Walked Through Walls”
Ian Gouge - Writer 