Binocular Vision

I fell in love with this short story collection by American author, Edith Pearlman. The new issue of The Short Review carries both an interview with the author and my review, described by Edith as 'Sensitive and appreciative - one of the best I've received'. The following is an extract from one of my favourite stories in the collection:

They were drinking gin out of teacups. Mrs. Hasken was placid. Aunt Laurette grinned under her globe of orange hair. Phoebe was currying her skirt with Nancy's comb. They were not aristocracy after all – only stand-ins.

Tip: you can read one of the stories free online by following the link at the end of my review.

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Back and Beyond, ShortStoryVille, No Short Cuts

Maybe it's the season, or the determination of creative cheer-leaders, but there are so many wonderful opportunities right now to celebrate writing, and especially short stories. I was lucky enough to be part of ShortStoryVille here in Bristol, which was terrific fun with panel sessions and readings, culminating in the prize giving ceremony. Huge congratulations to Emily Bullock on winning first prize with her story, My Girl. A great write-up of the day can be found over at Vanessa Gebbie's blog.

Meanwhile, anyone who hasn't already signed the petition to save short stories on Radio 4 can do so via the link here. And follow the success of the campaign over on Twitter, where it's spearheaded by Susie Maguire aka @wrathofgod. Over 5,000 signatures and rising all the time!

Back and Beyond is a new publication that celebrates and promotes the arts, culture and heritage in Lancaster, Morecambe and beyond. It combines fiction and non-fiction writing with articles, profiles of local artists and details of projects and organisations.

The debut edition has stunning artwork, poetry, graphics, commentary and fiction. I'm delighted to be a part of it, with my tiny flash piece, Albumen. The magazine can be downloaded free of charge as a pdf and is beautiful new evidence of how creativity thrives and flourishes.

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The Mauve Throw

Very excited today, as my first ebook has been published! It's a short story, The Mauve Throw, which was commended in the Tom-Gallon Trust Award 2011. And it's published on the coolest of cool sites, Shortfire Press. Mariella Frostrup gave Shortfire not one but two plugs on R4's Open Book on Thursday, deservedly so. It's a clean, clear, beautifully understated website. With stories, interviews and a blog. I was guest blogger yesterday, talking about the Authors' Awards. Happily, the Society of Authors liked my guest blog so much they asked permission to link to it from their website. So it's all come together rather splendidly. Better still if one or two readers decide to buy The Mauve Throw, which is available for the princely sum of 99pence, for Kindle, iPhone or as a pdf download. I'm donating all royalties to Cancer Research, and Shortfire Press have very kindly offered to donate their profits on the story to the same cause,so please do consider buying the story. Thank you

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