Having become 're-energised' - self-publishing books via Amazon, joining the local Writers' Group, even entering competitions! - I have also re-made a discovery that is both 'good' and 'bad'. Yesterday I was doing some research on indie publishing spurred on by a concern that Amazon’s KDP may not be the best platform for me, and … Continue reading The Good News is also the Bad News…
Author: Ian Gouge
As a compulsive writer, I have authored over 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.
“The Benefactor” – 100-word challenge
The Benefactor He always wanted to be seen as a benefactor rather than a refugee - though many struggled to see beyond their first meetings with him. They would, of course, acknowledge that he had gone on to do many great things, not just for himself but for his new family and, finally, for the … Continue reading “The Benefactor” – 100-word challenge
Found Poems – Updated page
I have just updated my 'Found Poems' page, adding a new poem as an example of my work. Please follow the link to read it... ‘Found’ Poems
“The Apartment on Faustus Street” – 100-word Challenge
The Apartment on Faustus Street. The apartment had two entrances, one either side of the nondescript pink-lit establishment below, which it straddled like a railway footbridge. In past lives these had been used as 'In' and 'Out', but for its present purpose only the former was necessary. People did leave, of course, but he knew … Continue reading “The Apartment on Faustus Street” – 100-word Challenge
“Near Enough” – snippet 2
One of things that had been decided in advance was the name with which the child would be adorned. Denis and Joyce had set down a number of rules. 1 - there would be no middle name. 2 - they did not want a name that could be shortened further, and by abstraction, rule 3 … Continue reading “Near Enough” – snippet 2
Fame at last!?!
Printed today in our local newspaper. A whole third of a page!
The 100-word challenge
I found myself wondering just how much of a story could be conveyed within a strict limit of 100 words (excluding any title) - so thought I would give it a try... As a Young Man As a young man he was attracted to girls on the fringes; pale, troubled, unique. He called them 'quirky' and later, … Continue reading The 100-word challenge
“Tomorrow” by Graham Swift
Just finished reading another tremendous Swift effort. Believable, well-paced, humane, just about people. For some, Swift is apparently a bit like Marmite. If so, I love Marmite... Reading
I need a new word…
...because it occurs to me that, in spite of its formal definition, 'Found' Poetry is too derogatory for some of the poetry I write. It implies a kind of laziness, of putting in no effort, of simply stealing. In the early, raw days that may have been pretty much what it was: lift and put … Continue reading I need a new word…
Countries I have slept in…
As part of my ongoing thinking about "Near Enough", I came up with this list. Not too shabby is it? Australia Belgium China Denmark England Finland France Germany Greece Grenada Guernsey Hong Kong (pre- and post-China acquisition) India Indonesia Ireland Italy Japan Kenya The Netherlands Northern Ireland Scotland Sierra Leone Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland USA … Continue reading Countries I have slept in…
Ian Gouge - Writer 