Update 1st April: "Mirrors" re-edit is now complete and I am awaiting my proof copy. The book will be republished as "An Infinity of Mirrors" on or before 21st May 2018. Short story collection: now 120 pages in and five stories left. Aiming to reach the 160 page target draft by the end of April … Continue reading Writing Diary – update
Category: Poetry
“The Stencil Room”
It's always a little tricky passing comment on books by people you know, and David is someone I enjoy working with regularly. His collection "The Stencil Room" is something of a geographical meandering evoking memories of many of the places he has visited. For me, having been to a nutmeg/mace factory in Grenada, the poem … Continue reading “The Stencil Room”
Free book giveaway
I have some copies of my first collection of poems available in ebook format to give away. No hooks, no catches, no nasty follow-ups! I'd just like more people to read my work. Simple as. All I ask is that, if you take the book and like it, you consider entering a rating / review … Continue reading Free book giveaway
“Calling a Wolf a Wolf”
There's some really powerful stuff in Kaveh Akbar's "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" - and for once the back cover blurb hits some of the right notes: "powerful", "intimate", "agony", "torment". There's nothing bright and breezy in here! But some of the images - often just a line or two - jump out and grab … Continue reading “Calling a Wolf a Wolf”
The Beauty of Punctuation
This may sound a little weird, but recently I've come to appreciate the beauty of punctuation more than ever - especially when it comes to writing poetry. And I don't mean simply the use of standard punctuation - commas, semi-colons and the like - I also mean the absence of punctuation, the freedom to choose … Continue reading The Beauty of Punctuation
So where’s all the writing then..?
I am conscious that for a website that's supposed to be a writing showcase, I have published little new material here recently; most posts have been book reviews (of sorts). So here's another 'non-writing' post..! I just thought an update on all the creative action that's going on in the background might be of interest... … Continue reading So where’s all the writing then..?
I’ve no idea what this is…
Nearly two months ago I wrote these three lines, straight into a draft post, certain that something would come of them. I've revisited them several times since, always with the expectation that somehow they would 'take off' and lead me to a different outcome, a more comprehensive 'thing'. But nothing ever happens. Maybe they're meant … Continue reading I’ve no idea what this is…
Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset
Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset “They beat out rhythmic drum solos on hollow trees. They watch me, watching them. They watch me as spies would, always out of reach. “Some bring gifts. Gift-giving is their natural repertoire placing them where they can’t be missed. By my bed, a small wooden box, each compartment … Continue reading Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset
“Shrines of Upper Austria”
The back cover of Phoebe Power's "Shrines of Upper Austria" promotes a 'formally restless collection' - and that's exactly right; the book employs multiple technical forms from the more traditionally poetic through to plain, undifferentiated prose. And because the sources are also eclectic - for example some reported speech, some German - what we end … Continue reading “Shrines of Upper Austria”
“Who Is Mary Sue?”
Sophie Collins' book "Who Is Mary Sue?" is another of those eclectic collections of words masquerading under the title of 'poetry'. There are a few poems in the book, but also snippets of prose, chunks of quotation, various flavours of narrative... At one point I was reminded - somewhat obscurely! - of Ezra Pound and … Continue reading “Who Is Mary Sue?”
Ian Gouge - Writer 