It seems appropriate to briefly reflect on my first experience of Swanwick Summer School, a week spent with like-minded and friendly folk immersed in all things writing. There's no point beating about the bush, the highlight of the week for me was reading my prize-winning short story Park'n'Ride at the prize winners' event - and … Continue reading Swanwick Summer School, 2022
The two things which impressed me most about Daniel Mason's "The Winter Soldier" - in addition to the quality of the writing - were, firstly, the self-evident depth of research Mason had undertaken, and secondly the way he was able to keep the three or four possible endings in play until the last five or … Continue reading “The Winter Soldier”
My Swanwick Summer School short story competition first prize has been picked up by a local news outlet and they have written a piece on me. You can read it here. Note: although the article says most of the US attendees to my monthly virtual poetry events come from California, for the anthologies contributors come … Continue reading No such thing as bad press?
Robert Olen Butler's "Late City" is quite simply fantastic. It is a novel full of depth and feeling and passion; it is truly inventive, superbly written, fluid yet really well structured; and somewhat amazingly - given its subject - something of a page-turner. The ending made me cry. This is the first time I have … Continue reading “Late City”
The premise for Mark Watson's "Contacts" is original and intriguing, and one filled with real potential - especially for the writer. Unfortunately, to my mind, this potential is never quite realised. I'm afraid I found the narrative a little flimsy and, in spite of the book's 370 pages, for me the characters never made it … Continue reading “Contacts”
I am delighted to announce that I have won First Prize in the Short Story category for the 2022 Swanwick Writers' Summer school. This is a prestigious prize, and I am absolutely thrilled! Swanwick Writers’ Summer School has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Believed to be the longest running residential writers’ school in … Continue reading Finally – A FIRST PRIZE!
Many years ago when I was studying at University, during holidays I used to work in a bookmakers. It was a wonderful experience for a young man learning about people and life. 'Welshman' is a short story based on those experiences, and whilst it is not a retelling of a specific event nor portraying real … Continue reading ‘Welshman’ – new podcast episode
If you've read my previous reviews - all the way back into 2018! - you'll know that I loved Natasha Pulley's "The Watchmaker of Filigree Street" and "The Bedlam Stacks". Sadly I can't say the same of "The Kingdoms". The beginning of the book is something of a confused muddle. I know the main character … Continue reading “The Kingdoms”
Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers' Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next, … Continue reading Another great mentoring experience!
Jon McGregor is nothing if not inventive and challenging - and "Lean Fall Stand" is both of those things. Spoiler alert! The primary action of the novel (covered in the 'Lean' part of the story) concerns an ill-fated expedition in Antarctica. The rest of the novel - 'Fall' and 'Stand' - narrates the post-expedition experiences … Continue reading “Lean Fall Stand”
Ian Gouge - Writer 