Having read almost everything Haruki Murakami has written, I feel I'm entitled to say if I don't feel one of his books has reached his usual standard - and I don't think "First Person Singular" comes close. The stories feel insubstantial and vague, and they lack the precision, drive and mystery of the majority of … Continue reading “First Person Singular”
Category: Short Stories
Writers’ Retreat – Mentoring Feedback
Absolutely delighted to have received the following feedback after mentoring at a Writers' Retreat last weekend: Ian joined us as our guest writer for our February retreat. It was clear that he had carefully thought out the creative exercises for the retreat and, although they were optional sessions for our writers, they were extremely popular. … Continue reading Writers’ Retreat – Mentoring Feedback
New YouTube channel: ‘Ian Gouge – Author’
I have now created a YouTube channel where I will publish readings of some of my work. Initially I have uploaded nine pieces, eight poems and one short story, and I intend to gradually build up a catalogue of readings. I hope you like them!
Welshman – a short story
Ripon Gazette, 27th January, 2022
And they published one of my photographs of RHS Harlow Carr too..!
Recognition in the Press!
An article that has appeared on-line today and will be in the print run of the newspaper on Thursday this week: Ripon author Ian Gouge has seen his publishing popularity grow over the last few years.
It’s okay not to be on top form every day…
I keep a kind of 'tracker' on which I record my daily activities as they relate not only to all things writing-related but a little to well-being too. The tracker is broadly split into: my own writing projects, my publication work (through Coverstory books), sundry writing activities - such as poetry groups, retreats etc. - … Continue reading It’s okay not to be on top form every day…
Writers’ Retreat – The Lake District, February
Jan and the team at Writers' Retreats UK have their next three-day event scheduled for the 11th February 2022 in the northern Lake District, not far from the Scottish border, and I am delighted to have been invited as a guest in order to run some workshops and offer a little ad-hoc mentoring as and … Continue reading Writers’ Retreat – The Lake District, February
“Jesus’ Son”
It was mere coincidence that saw me reading Denis Johnson's short story collection "Jesus' Son" immediately after Kevin Barry's "That Old Country Music" - but it was a coincidence which served to throw the two into sharp contrast. Where Barry's stories are softer, somewhat gentle, filled with 'Irishness', Johnson's are raw, hard, uncompromising, and paint … Continue reading “Jesus’ Son”
“That Old Country Music”
Kevin Barry's collection of short stories, "That Old Country Music" is, in its own way, a gem. Although the subjects of the stories are often serious and sombre (e.g. teenage pregnancy, abandonment, failed love), Barry handles his material with such subtlety that at times you perhaps can't help but wonder if the tone isn't a … Continue reading “That Old Country Music”
Ian Gouge - Writer 