As part of the Japan Times ‘Essential Reading for Japanophiles’ series, I’ve taken a look at controversial writer Amy Yamada’s Bedtime Eyes. It’s in the paper today (Sunday 13th December) and online here. My review of Simon Sylvester’s The Visitors from Gutter 13 has also just snuck online here.
Tag Archives: Simon Sylvester
Novels, Poems and Podcasts
So, as Donald Trump might put it, time for a round up. Since last we met I have, with the tireless efforts of Rodge Glass, completed the edit of my third novel. I’m waiting for confirmation from Freight that the manuscript and new title are both acceptable. Once that happens you, dear reader, will beContinue reading “Novels, Poems and Podcasts”
Happy People Have No Stories
They (specifically Christopher Booker) say there are only seven basic plots (overcoming the monster, rags to riches, the quest, voyage and return, comedy, tragedy, and rebirth, since you ask). Considering the sheer amount of stories that have been told over the millennia humanity has entertained and educated itself with fiction, that might seem surprising. We’re usedContinue reading “Happy People Have No Stories”
Short and Listing
Pester power! I’m delighted to announce that I have been shortlisted for The Guardian’s Not The Booker prize alongside five talented and frankly intimidating writers. This is all thanks to those of you who voted and I really appreciate it. There’s now another round of voting before the winner is announced in October, but weContinue reading “Short and Listing”
Not The Booker
I’m delighted that I’ve been included in the long list for The Guardian’s Not The Booker prize. The list will be whittled down to a short list of six by public vote. If you fancy helping me out (and I’d really appreciate it if you did) then follow these simple steps. 1. Follow this linkContinue reading “Not The Booker”
FTS Book Tour
I’ve been meaning to write about the First Time Solo book tour since I got back to Japan a couple of weeks ago but a number of things prevented me from work, through editing a new book (more on which later this week) to not having a computer anymore. Now, however, I have a shinyContinue reading “FTS Book Tour”
This One Book
Simon Sylvester, author of The Visitors, recently wrote about a book that means a lot to him both as a reader and as a writer. He wrote eloquently on Roald Dahl’s Henry Sugar and then urged me to do the same. Just back from the book tour and jet-lagged, I didn’t feel much in theContinue reading “This One Book”
On The Road
I’ve been pretty silent on here this year. Not because little has been happening but because so much has been going on, but much that has yet to achieve fruition. Copy edits, proposals, enough emails to destroy an entire rainforest of e-trees. But we’re getting there. The First Time Solo book tour has taken upContinue reading “On The Road”
The Blog Tour
So, the Blog Tour has found its way to my page. Unlike Bob Dylan’s never ending tour which only features Bob Dylan, the Blog Tour is kind of like Radio 4’s Chain Reaction except without the live audience and with zero interaction between interviewer and interviewee. Thanks to Simon Sylvester for nominating me to continueContinue reading “The Blog Tour”
Happy Hogmanay
End of the year, and all that. I have to say, 2013 has been fantastic. Vintage. Every year I write a list of all the things I want to achieve by the following December. Lose weight, study Japanese properly, things like that. December 2012 I wrote for the next year ‘Finish Wasting Embers‘. Nailed thatContinue reading “Happy Hogmanay”
Iain Maloney 