“Late City”

Robert Olen Butler's "Late City" is quite simply fantastic. It is a novel full of depth and feeling and passion; it is truly inventive, superbly written, fluid yet really well structured; and somewhat amazingly - given its subject - something of a page-turner. The ending made me cry. This is the first time I have … Continue reading “Late City” →

NEWS! – A competition win!

I am delighted to announce that I have won First Prize in the Short Story competition for the 2022 Swanwick Writers' Summer School. Press coverage This is a prestigious prize, and I am absolutely thrilled! Swanwick Writers’ Summer School has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Believed to be the longest running residential writers’ school in … Continue reading NEWS! – A competition win! →

“Ox-Eye”

There is something quite enigmatic and magical about Anne Rouse’s latest collection, “Ox-Eye”. Many of her images are nuanced, coded, almost just out of reach. It is as if she has an idea, taken one step away from it to ‘make it poetic’ (as is the way with poets!), and then taken another step away … Continue reading “Ox-Eye” →

“Contacts”

The premise for Mark Watson's "Contacts" is original and intriguing, and one filled with real potential - especially for the writer. Unfortunately, to my mind, this potential is never quite realised. I'm afraid I found the narrative a little flimsy and, in spite of the book's 370 pages, for me the characters never made it … Continue reading “Contacts” →

Finally – A FIRST PRIZE!

I am delighted to announce that I have won First Prize in the Short Story category for the 2022 Swanwick Writers' Summer school. This is a prestigious prize, and I am absolutely thrilled! Swanwick Writers’ Summer School has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Believed to be the longest running residential writers’ school in … Continue reading Finally – A FIRST PRIZE! →

The luxury of being forced to write…

Twice a week now - on Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings - I take up a seat in the reference section of Ripon library and settle down to write for ninety minutes. It is, in a way, my job. Thus far I have been untroubled by library patrons or fellow-writers heading for where I sit … Continue reading The luxury of being forced to write… →

‘Welshman’ – new podcast episode

Many years ago when I was studying at University, during holidays I used to work in a bookmakers. It was a wonderful experience for a young man learning about people and life. 'Welshman' is a short story based on those experiences, and whilst it is not a retelling of a specific event nor portraying real … Continue reading ‘Welshman’ – new podcast episode →

“The Kingdoms”

If you've read my previous reviews - all the way back into 2018! - you'll know that I loved Natasha Pulley's "The Watchmaker of Filigree Street" and "The Bedlam Stacks". Sadly I can't say the same of "The Kingdoms". The beginning of the book is something of a confused muddle. I know the main character … Continue reading “The Kingdoms” →

Another great mentoring experience!

Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers' Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next, … Continue reading Another great mentoring experience! →