Category Archives: Uncategorized

Planning Your Writing

I’ve written another essay on writing for the excellent Nothing in the Rule Book website, this time about planning. It’s one of those topics writers worry about and regularly argue about – should you do any, doesn’t it kill creativity, how much is too much etc. etc. – so if that kind of thing interests you atContinue reading “Planning Your Writing”

Reviews: Alan Spence and Lian Hearn

Today I have two pieces in the Japan Times. The first is a review of the recently released Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn, the third in a four part series called The Tale of Shikanoko, a fantasy set in a mythical medieval Japan. The second is a look back at Alan Spence’s The Pure Land, aContinue reading “Reviews: Alan Spence and Lian Hearn”

Edinburgh Festivals

I’m back in Japan where thankfully August is over and the temperatures are starting to drop. The ice pillows have been put away for another year and I no longer need to shower every fifteen minutes. This trip home was a blast, short, sweet and rocketing between intense and wonderfully relaxing. I spent some timeContinue reading “Edinburgh Festivals”

Friday 19th 1pm, Word Power Books, Edinburgh

Tomorrow at some unfeasibly early hour I’ll begin my journey back to Scotland for the Edinburgh Festivals. This Friday, the 19th, I’ll be appearing with Kate Tough in Word Power Books at 1pm, where we’ll both be talking about our forthcoming poetry pamphlets on Tapsalteerie. The week after, on the 25th, I’ll be appearing withContinue reading “Friday 19th 1pm, Word Power Books, Edinburgh”

The Long Defeat by Akiko Hashimoto and Not The Booker

My latest piece for the Japan Times is a review of Akiko Hashimoto’s brilliant sociological study of how defeat in World War 2 has manifested in contemporary Japanese society. Balanced and insightful, it goes behind the easy simplifications normally attributed to Japan’s war memory. Voting is still open in Not The Booker so if you’veContinue reading “The Long Defeat by Akiko Hashimoto and Not The Booker”

A Response to The Waves Burn Bright

Taking on the task of writing about Piper Alpha was daunting, and not one I took lightly. One of my biggest fears was of offending or upsetting survivors and the families of those who died in the disaster. Before the manuscript for The Waves Burn Bright went to printing, I wanted to put it beforeContinue reading “A Response to The Waves Burn Bright”

Edinburgh Festival Dates

I’m delighted to be able to announce a second event in Edinburgh during the August festival period. In addition to my appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on August 25th at 15.45 with Glenn Patterson, I will be appearing in Word Power Books alongside the Kate Tough on August 19th at 13.00. We bothContinue reading “Edinburgh Festival Dates”

Shusaku Endo, When I Whistle Review

I’ve been a bit quiet while I recover from launching The Waves Burn Bright and preparing for the Edinburgh International Book Festival (August 25th, 15.45 with Glenn Patterson, tickets still available). In the meantime I’ve been doing a lot of reviewing. The latest is a piece about Shusaku Endo’s When I Whistle for the Japan Times. IfContinue reading “Shusaku Endo, When I Whistle Review”

Piper Alpha 28 Years On

Yesterday, July 6th, was the 28th anniversary of the Piper Alpha tragedy, the subject of my novel The Waves Burn Bright. It was moving to see on social media, in amongst messages about Baghdad, Chilcot, Wales and everything else going wrong in the world that people were tweeting and posting reminders and sharing their own experiences andContinue reading “Piper Alpha 28 Years On”