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]
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 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 ...]
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]
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...)
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.
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
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.
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.
This Sunday, Litro published my story, Glass in the Park as its Sunday Story.
During the first UK pandemic lockdown, my short story of symptoms, Ginger Tea, was published.... [READ MORE]
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]
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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"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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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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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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'The window was open just enough to let in the cool night air'... and so the story begins....
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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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