I have been wondering how I would answer if someone asked me what I was up to - in a literary sense, of course! In the broadest sense I think I am trying to build something, firstly in relation to my own writing, and secondly with Coverstory books. In many respects the second is easier … Continue reading Trying to build something…
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.
“The Dressing-Up Box”
David Constantine's collection of short stories, "The Dressing-Up Box", is, in many ways, unlike any other volume of short stories I have ever come across. Many of the narratives are slightly surreal, other-worldly, and in some cases the stories fail to follow the beginning-middle-end convention - not that there's any problem in that at all … Continue reading “The Dressing-Up Box”
The Allotment Project
Our first update of the year is here.
“Walking Thru’ Fire” Podcast update
I have now published six episodes to my Walking Thru' Fire podcast. Four of these comprise selected readings from some of my poetry collections: Walking Thru Fire (podcast introduction)Collected Poems, 1979-2016Human ArchaeologyPunctuations from History There are also two extracts from my non-fiction work Shrapnel from a Writing Life. I plan to add a new episode … Continue reading “Walking Thru’ Fire” Podcast update
“The Kids”
Well, I couldn't not read it... After all, a poetry book winning the Costa Book of the Year..! When did a poet last win?! (ans. '99 & '96 Seamus Heaney, '98 & '97 Ted Hughes) I needed to know what all the fuss was about. Well, there are some great poems in Hannah Lowe's "The … Continue reading “The Kids”
About open mics…
I have decided I need to reconsider my relationship to the 'Open Mic' i.e. to adjust not only my expectations of what I should expect to get from such events, but what I should contribute too. I might as well say it straight out: Open Mics have nothing to do with good writing. Don't get … Continue reading About open mics…
A walk around my writing space…
I thought I'd take you on a brief tour of my writing space: https://videopress.com/v/Qpde066u?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true And in case you wondered where all the novels are - or some of them anyway...
“Lampedusa”
Perhaps, you could be forgiven for not liking Seven Price's "Lampedusa"; it's slow-paced and - unless you're connected to Southern Italy in some way - the culture that permeates the story may seem a little, well, foreign. But I suggest all that is part of its charm. And it is a charming book. Price paints … Continue reading “Lampedusa”
“Shrapnel from a Writing Life” serialised
I have decided to serialise episodes from my book "Shrapnel from a Writing Life" on my Walking Thru' Fire podcast. I am making the first episode available here; the remainder will be posted on my podcast over the coming weeks. Walking Thru' Fire is currently available on Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify and - soon - … Continue reading “Shrapnel from a Writing Life” serialised
The perils of sitting down
I have hurt my back. Yesterday, while stretching before going for a run, I managed to tweak it a little - and today I'm in agony. Ever since I damaged it a few years ago, my back has always been my weak spot. I suspect we all have them, somewhere that fails first and fastest … Continue reading The perils of sitting down
Ian Gouge - Writer 