I know this post isn't strictly about writing, or books, or reading - but you never know. Who's to say that something won't happen over the next few days that proves to be the unexpected trigger for a poem or short story or even - who knows! - a novel. Speculative, tangential, use whatever word … Continue reading Houston – 1
Category: Poetry
All the right words…
There is a fantastic moment in a 1971 sketch with those late, greats: comedian Eric Morecambe and conductor André Previn. Previn is conducting a small ensemble in Grieg's piano concerto; Morecambe is at the piano. The musical intro is great - unlike Morecambe's playing. Previn stops 'the band' and comes over to the piano: "What … Continue reading All the right words…
Houston – Prelude
For once it didn’t seem to matter that we were going to board late; there was just about enough entertainment in the pantomime of people trying to get to the front of the queue - as if the plane was going to leave without them! Beforehand, I had sat in the lounge trying to etch … Continue reading Houston – Prelude
The books are here!
Copies of "Oak Tree Alchemy" arrived in good time for our launch event and reading at 3pm on Saturday 6th April at The Oak Tree in Helperby, North Yorkshire. The books will be on sale the same day on-line and by order through any good bookshop worldwide. Exciting!
It’s not “a hobby”…
I was in the kitchen at work the other day when a colleague said something about writing books being "a nice hobby to have". Work (defn.) - what you have to do to pay the bills when you'd rather be doing something more meaningful..? It was, of course, small talk, and it was good of … Continue reading It’s not “a hobby”…
Late Frost
Late Frost Surprised by the renegade day you had expected the temperate, a welcome more fitting for late May. This chilled air has the tell of a first date bound to fail. In the gathering grey, nothing shines, your prospects dimmed as the dial’s sharp shadow declines with the sun. Sails untrimmed you … Continue reading Late Frost
A Writing CV
At work today I was reviewing some CVs for a role I am likely to need to fill in my team. As I was doing so, I wondered what my own CV - in a writing context - would look like... Wrote my first story - about a boy's adventures in space - including illustrations, … Continue reading A Writing CV
Why do most people who know you, never buy your books?
You would think, wouldn't you, that when you announce to your friends and family that you have a new book out, a good number would buy it. It may only be out of a sense of loyalty - misplaced or not - but there would surely be a few dozen sales you could count on. … Continue reading Why do most people who know you, never buy your books?
“As Slow As Possible”
Sometimes you read something that simply fails to engage you in any way. Try as I might, Kit Fan's volume of poetry - "As Slow As Possible" - is one such book. I looked for stanzas that grabbed me, tried to be benevolent when filtering for ideas, but I simply struggled. Perhaps it's a wavelength … Continue reading “As Slow As Possible”
Champagne and Canapés anyone?
On Saturday 6th April at 3pm, the poetry anthology I am publishing (and contributing to) will be launched to a modest fanfare at The Oak Tree in Helperby, North Yorkshire. The anthology is called "Oak Tree Alchemy". Spot the link? As Brian Clark, co-editor and fellow contributor, notes in the book's foreword: Oak Tree Alchemy, … Continue reading Champagne and Canapés anyone?
Ian Gouge - Writer 