My newest novel, Dwell, has been accepted for representation by Samuel Hodder at The Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. [Read More]
Remote in Pareidolia Literary
My story, Remote, was in Act III: Still but Living. It is a description of a moment of remote teaching during the first UK Covid-19 lockdown last year. [Read More]
Longlisted for the Discoveries Prize
Today the literary agents, Curtis Brown, announced the longlist for the Discoveries Prize, and I am delighted to be able to say that I am one of the sixteen authors on it! [READ MORE]
The Little Police Station In The Mountains in The Mark Literary Review
This month, my story, The Little Police Station In The Mountains, is included in The Mark Literary Review's March 2021 edition. [READ MORE]
The Back Bedroom Band on Fairlight Shorts
The British independent publisher, Fairlight Books publish short stories on their website once a week. I am delighted that they chose my story, The Back Bedroom Band, to be their story last week. [READ MORE]
A List of my Short Story Publications in 2020
In contrast with general events, however, I had my most successful year ever for short story publications [...] I thought it might be useful (and good for my self-esteem), to list these in a blog post, alongside some other events in my life and the wider world.... [READ MORE]
Moving Old Dust Around in The First Line
Loud music filled the room, making it hard to hear anything else. I wrote a story flowing from that sentence which I had been trying to find a way to tell for a couple of years. I gave it the title Moving Old Dust Around and I am delighted to say that once again the editors, David and Robin LaBounty, chose to include my story in the published issue. [READ MORE...]
Used To It in Soliloquies Anthology
Used To It is set in a zoo during a heatwave. It is a story about settling periods after changes, and the strength needed to enter into such a state of acclimatisation, resisting the pull of lethargically staying with the status quo, even when that is not one which makes you happy. [READ MORE ...]
The Results in Please See Me
Please See Me is an American literary magazine which focusses on health, illness and communication between healthcare workers and patients. Recently, the sixth issue was launched. Its theme is Bias. It includes my story, The Results.... [READ MORE]
You Don’t Miss Much In Six Hours in Postbox Magazine
The latest edition of Postbox (Scotland's International Short Story Magazine), Issue 4, includes my story, You Don't Miss Much In Six Hours. Earlier this week I attended the Zoom launch for it. It was the first magazine launch I've ever been to, and the first time I've used Zoom, so I was a bit nervous to be honest (read more...)
You Are In The Dark, Flash Fiction in Squawk Back
I was first introduced to the concept of Flash Fiction when I did my MA in 2002. Our creative writing tutor had only just learned about it. Since then its popularity has grown.
Name Label in Overground Underground
Overground Underground is a new magazine of experimental and community art and literature based in the North of England. Issue One launched on the 15th September and includes my story, Name Label. Half of the profits of this edition will go to the charity Young Minds, who describe themselves as 'the UK’s leading charity fighting … Continue reading Name Label in Overground Underground
Four Flashes of Fear in Backstory Journal
It feels poignant that this piece about being besieged was published at a time when most of us are voluntarily locked down in our homes. This time it is not humans, but a virus which lurks beyond our walls ready to attack us.
Lot’s Daughters in Crossways
I am very pleased to finally have this tale out of my head and in the world. I knew the subject matter would be a little niche, thought it would be difficult to find a publisher for it. As it happened, though, I only had two rejections before it found its right home, which was Crossways.
Glass in the Park in Litro
This Sunday, Litro published my story, Glass in the Park as its Sunday Story.
Ginger Tea in MIR Online
During the first UK pandemic lockdown, my short story of symptoms, Ginger Tea, was published.... [READ MORE]
Writing Collaboratively on Ginger Tea
Writing can be a very solitary business. It is very much enriched by the contributions of others, especially those as intelligent and sensitive as Jupiter... [READ MORE]
Dear William Carlos Williams in Ambit
The current issue of Ambit Magazine includes my flash fiction, Dear William Carlos Williams. Ambit is a print magazine with featured samples chosen from each issue available on their website. My story is this issue's Featured Fiction...
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2010 – 2020: A Decade of Writing
I didn't want to get to the end of my life wondering whether I might have had any successes as a writer, if only I had tried....
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Not So Normal Narrator Shortlisted!
My story, The Auntie's Back Bedroom Band, has been chosen for the Not So Normal Narrators competition shortlist. This competition is being run by Odd Voice Out, a new independent literary press for YA fiction featuring diverse characters....
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Second Place in the Yeovil Prize
This year my unpublished novel, Still, won second prize in their novel category. There were 404 novels entered this year, so I'm delighted and proud to have had mine chosen as the second best...
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The Thorough Debauching of Branwell Bronte in Postbox Magazine
Issue Two was launched in Glasgow on the 2nd of September and contains my short story, The Thorough Debauching of Branwell Bronte....
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On Not Giving Up On Short Stories
I suppose what I am trying to say is, keep writing, keep rewriting, keep submitting no matter how many rejections you collect, and eventually there's a good chance that each story will meet that one editor who appreciates it and decides to publish it...
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Miss Wing’s Elbows in The Nottingham Review
I am very proud to be able to tell you that I have a story in Issue 14 of The Nottingham Review. It is a flash fiction about sexual awakening called Miss Wing’s Elbows....
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Peach in Pif
I am very pleased to be able to say that my short story, Peach, has been published today in Pif Magazine....
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Writing About Smell
To find lots of good, varied, prolonged descriptions of scent to add to these examples, I therefore looked beyond fiction. I wanted to find a form of descriptive writing with smell at its core, so I decided to read some perfume reviews...
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Facility in The Mighty Line
"Rue's powerful and clear language highlights an immediately relevant conflict with an eye to the past that magnifies the necessity of immediate change and hope for the future."...
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The Verona Suite in The Incubator
A man who has made the mistake of going on holiday with his wife and small baby becomes intrigued by the glamorous people in the honeymoon suite next door....
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50 Book Recommendations
Whether you want inspiration for Christmas presents, or ideas for what to read to complete your GoodReads challenge, or you'd just like to laugh at my bad taste to cheer you up on a grey day, I thought this might be a good time to post a list of 50 of my favourite books...
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Lara’s Baby in The First Line
'The window was open just enough to let in the cool night air'... and so the story begins....
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The Bridge Awards Emerging Writer Prize
I have come to the end of my year as the The Bridge/Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer. It has been amazing. I really feel that winning this prize has propelled my writing forward...
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