Rapture syndrome (or flu) and launches, reviews and writerly things For the past week I have either had precursors of The Rapture or flu, depending on where you are based in the world and how credulous you are. I think the voiceless, joint-aching, temperature-rocketing condition is a virus, but certain American states appear to believe […]
Devil-Devil – a novel review Graeme Kent’s book arrived on my desk as one of those twitter-calls to the universe by somebody at his publishing house for reviewers. I am a total addict of the crime novel in all its many forms, and have a particularly soft spot for what I call ‘anthropological crime’ (I’m […]
Writer as Performer. Well, I spent Monday sitting in the window of Waterstones, Crawley, writing a complete science fiction story on a theme that I was given when I turned up at 11:00. I was part of Crawley WordFest and a thoroughly good event it seems to have been. Actually it wasn’t me, it was […]
Book launches and how to survive them I wasn’t really looking forward to my book launch. There were aspects of it that were wonderful to anticipate: seeing some people I really love, eating some delicious chutney (Smy chutney, not my own home-made stuff) and enjoying some wonderful cheeses. There were some last minute surprises of […]
Hubris, gratefulness, politesse? I’ve spent a couple of days now, staring at the little heap of my books that was delivered on Monday. They stare back. I am paralysed by knowing what it is good, or fair, or right to do in this situation. I am sending books to people who have been instrumental in […]
The rarely wordless one becomes muteI am struggling to know what to say on this blog at present. My book ‘Minding My Peas and Cucumbers’ is due out on 7 March, but people have already been in touch to tell me they have received copies ordered from the Book Depository. There is nothing more guaranteed […]
Charles Lambert – third time of askingI’ve talked to Charles Lambert, on and off, for about five years now. I’ve read his work, published and unpublished and followed his progress. I enjoyed his first novel, loved his short story collection and felt that terrible pang that all writers feel when asked to read another book […]
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