Invitation – Beacons London launch

A little while ago, I was commissioned to write a story for a book which came to be titled ‘Beacons’, edited by th very talented Gregory Norminton. The book is a collection of short stories about climate change, and all proceeds of the books’ sales will go the the chairty Stop Climate Chaos. The book is published by Oneworld, and features stories from A.L. Kennedy, Toby Litt, Joanne Harris, Liz Jenson, Adam Marek, James Miller, Rodge Glass and many more. If you’d like to buy a copy, visit the site here. You can even buy a Kindle version here.

And even better – if you’d like to hear readings from Gregory, James, Rodge and me, then come along to our London launch at Waterstone’s Piccadilly on 21st May at 6.30pm.

Invitation – Beacons

Trickster Tales in Cardiff

On Friday, 13th July 2012 we will be having our next and final series of events to discuss and celebrate the role of the Trickster. The events will be in Cardiff, kicking off with a spoken word event where short fiction writers will tell their tales of the trickster. The event will be at 12 noon on Friday 13th July at Gwdihw bar/cafe just off Churchill Way. If you are interested in coming to listen, please just drop in. It’s free entry and there will be a buffet lunch of veggie treats. Readers include Clare Potter, Susie Wild, Richard Owain Roberts and more, as well as me!

The trickster website is over at http://trickstertales.org/ if you fancy having a look, responding or becoming a network member.

Trickster Tales

As part of an exciting new research project, I’ll be attending two events about the place of the literary trickster in contemporary writing over the next few days. The first is in the Tobacco Theatre, Bristol, on Monday 21st May at 7.30pm – details are here: http://tobaccofactorytheatre.com/shows/detail/the_trickster_and_the_tricked/
The second is an open workshop to discuss the idea of and responses to the Trickster. This will be in Bristol too, on Tuesday 22nd May from 10am – 3pm – details are here: http://trickstertales.org/events/openspacebristol/
I hope to see you there!

National Flash Fiction Day – May 16th 2012

May 16th 2012 is a very special day, and you might not yet know why. If you don’t know, I’ll tell you: it’s because it is the first ever National Flash Fiction Day. (Sorry if you did know.) To celebrate, there will be a whole host of events taking place during the day and evening. I’m taking part in an event that will take in readings, chat and questions at Southampton library from 6.30pm. It’s free to get in and will feature readings from flash fictioneers such as Calum Kerr, Vanessa Gebbie and others. Do come along and support the first ever flash fiction day. More details are here, including details of other events all over the UK:

http://nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/southwest.html

Interview

Scott Pack has interviewed me for his blog. You can read the results here!

Order The Schoolboy

If Amazon has run out of copies of The Schoolboy, don’t forget you can always order it directly from the publisher here: http://www.cinnamonpress.com/the-schoolboy/

New Review

Scott Pack has just reviewed The Schoolboy, and has said ‘I couldn’t help but be impressed’. To read the rest of the review, click here

To order a copy, click here

Quick Flicks

The mighty Scott Pack has given my book a mini review – a four star one at that! So if you were undecided about whether to buy a copy or not, let him make the decision for you:
“Very raw, honest and violent tale about a confused teen. Notes from a Scandal from the boy’s point of view, sort of. Really rather impressive. (****)”
From http://meandmybigmouth.typepad.com/scottpack/

Pathways to Getting Published

This Thursday, I’ll be a guest at ‘Pathways to Getting Published’ at Gosport Discovery Centre, along with literary agent Adrian Weston. We’ll be discussing how to get published and there will be a chance to hear from the audience about their journeys into print or online publication. This event is chaired by Hampshire’s Literature Development Officer Angela Hicken.

It’ll start at 7.30pm, and the tickets cost £3 (concessions £2). Booking is essential; please call to book: 023 9252 3463.

The London Magazine

I’m delighted to tell you that I have a poem in this month’s issue of The London Magazine. The poem is a sestina called ‘Bare’. If you’d like to download or buy a copy of the magazine, which, I’m reliably informed, is the oldest literary magazine in England, you can do so here.