Reviews: Amy Yamada and Simon Sylvester

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.

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”

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”

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”

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”

The Loneliness of the Umpteenth Draft.

One of the things I enjoy most about writing is collaboration. Writing, particularly novel writing, is a long, lonely and often mind-and-body-destroying process. For days on end it’s often just me, enough coffee to make a sloth do the Charleston and a well-placed brick wall with a rapidly growing skull indentation. As a result IContinue reading “The Loneliness of the Umpteenth Draft.”