I’m being interviewed!

On Friday 25th November I am being interviewed in Harrogate Library as part of their 'Books and Beverages' series. The interview will cover both my writing and publishing exploits. I'm looking forward to it hugely! Although this is an in-person event, it is also being filmed and streamed, and will be available 'live' and from … Continue reading I’m being interviewed!

On Being Thrown Over – a sonnet

I am writing a long sequence of sonnets that will see publication in 2023. I thought it might be fun to share some of them in advance. A sonnet is included below, along with an audio recording of me reading it. On Being Thrown Over Would your love for me increase were I to die? … Continue reading On Being Thrown Over – a sonnet

You can’t spend time twice…

The phrase is - to the best of my knowledge - original and my own. It is a line from a new poetry project on which I have started work. The only reason I mention it is that I read it out at a writing group today and three people wrote it down. It was, … Continue reading You can’t spend time twice…

“A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain”

If I was disappointed by Robert Butler Olen's short story collection "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain" then it was not because of the individual stories themselves. They are all well-written, and some of them exceptional. But reading the book cover-to-cover, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed/bored by the lack of variation in the … Continue reading “A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain”

“Secrets & Wisdom” – a new edition

I am pleased to be able to announce the publication of a new edition of my first short story collection, Secrets & Wisdom. This edition contains a little stylistic reworking and a few other minor amendments. There have also been some changes to font and layout to better align with Coverstory books' house style. Secrets … Continue reading “Secrets & Wisdom” – a new edition

New Podcast episode

I have just published a new podcast episode, the opening of my short story Where Does It Start? For more details.

New Podcast Episode

I have just published a new episode on my Walking Thru' Fire podcast, the opening of my short story “How Does It Start?” The story is perhaps a little unusual in that ‘the action’ doesn’t really start until the second section i.e. immediately following on from what I have read. This first element is part … Continue reading New Podcast Episode

On “Four Quartets”

The BBC recently broadcast a reading of T.S.Eliot's "Four Quartets" by Ralph Fiennes. I say 'reading' but with Fiennes, a stage and spotlights, it was more like a performance. Which was fine. Some parts worked especially well, I thought. The programme prompted me to go back and re-read the poem - possibly for the first … Continue reading On “Four Quartets”

“Starve Acre”

It's fair to say that it would be entirely realistic to suggest that one could sit down and read Andrew Michael Hurley's "Starve Acre" in a single session. The book is the right size, well-written, and rattles along at a suitable pace to make consumption in one go not a ridiculous notion. What is less … Continue reading “Starve Acre”

‘Fountains by Floodlight’ – an update

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