After a little bit of a false start last week, I am pleased to have been able to read yesterday evening at Fountains Abbey's regular October event, 'Fountains by Floodlight'. The event takes place each Saturday during October, and also includes the final two Fridays as well. Tickets are selling fast! In addition to spectacular … Continue reading ‘Fountains by Floodlight’ – an update
Following on from the recent issue of a second edition of At Maunston Quay, I have decided that the time is right to work through some of my earlier fiction to offer updated editions. I am staring with Secrets & Wisdom, and have already begun the editing process. Whilst this is in-train, I feel it … Continue reading Time for a programme of rework…
I am delighted to announce the publication of a new edition of my novel, At Maunston Quay.
Riveting and brilliant... After "Late City" I was looking forward to my second Robert Olen Butler - and "Perfume River" didn't disappoint. There were a number of things I liked about this book: The way Butler seamlessly weaves flashback into the present, much as we do when we are thinking back to our own lives. … Continue reading “Perfume River”
I am excited to announce that I will be reading at Fountains Abbey's regular October event, 'Fountains by Floodlight'. The event takes place each Saturday during October, and also includes the final two Fridays as well. Tickets are selling fast! In addition to spectacular lighting, special tours and music, there will be a number of … Continue reading ‘Fountains by Floodlight’
Primarily as a direct result of Ripon's fifth Poetry Festival (RPF), I have read at four events over the past week. So how was it? Thursday: RPF - Open Mic. In many ways it was a typical open mic: massive variety in terms of style, content and quality. The most jarring element of the event … Continue reading A week of Readings: how was it?
I can see why Ruth Ozeki's "The Book of Form and Emptiness" made it to the Booker Prize shortlist. It's wonderful. Don't be put off by the c.550 pages of the paperback version as I nearly was; the novel rewards reading. And persistence isn't really needed as the story keeps up a good pace throughout. … Continue reading “The Book of Form and Emptiness”
After far too long I have finally completed the first draft of a long sonnet sequence which has been rumbling along, largely as a background task, since March 2019. If not before. Having consciously given the project a degree of focus over the last few months, I have been able to cover the last of … Continue reading When you’re only half-way through…
In the last week I have been struck by two almost throw-away comments made to me by friends. The first, in discussing the role of a writer - particularly when it comes to things like readings and Open Mics - was the statement that "our job is to entertain". I confess I've always struggled a … Continue reading Sometimes someone says something…
I'm looking forward to running a Found Poetry workshop tomorrow afternoon at our weekly 'Write-on Ripon' session. The workshop will be based on one I have already successfully run on writers' retreats. The challenge this time will be that we'll be writing found poems in real time! The session will cover: What is Found Poetry? … Continue reading Write-on Ripon: Found Poetry workshop
Ian Gouge - Writer 