Monthly Archives: June 2009

I Know I shouldn’t Moan

29 Monday Jun 2009

Posted by in competitions, grumpy with the weather, short short story, The Binnacle, Vanessa Gebbie, words from a glass bubble

≈ 9 Comments

but this weather, really! A bit of a reprieve, at night maybe??

So other than moaning about being too hot I’ve been working, lots and I am ALMOST up to date. Hu-bloody-rrah! And about time too. It’s good because it means that I’ll be able to concentrate on new projects with a clearer, less cluttered, mind. And with my mind as it is, that is a good thing.
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Very pleased that I’m an honoree in the Binnacle’s Ultra Short competition, sponsored by the University of Maine. I’ve just finished proofing my story for inclusion in their anthology.
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And (can’t believe I’ve not mentioned this before, my mind and all that…) but Vanessa Gebbie’s, Words From a Glass Bubble is a wonderful book – seriously good (and published by Salt, go on, just one book).
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And lastly, I’m rather chuffed to be able to announce some that I’ve lined up some rather exciting interviews with some rather special authors for the blog. Watch this space.

Big World

26 Friday Jun 2009

Posted by in 29 ways to drown, Big World, Mary Miller, Niki Aguire, short stories, Tania Hershman, The Incredibles, The Short Review

≈ 4 Comments


Wowsers but it’s hot and humid up here in the the north. And it aint something I’m used to. There’s a storm coming soon, I’ve been told, and I’m looking forward to it.

Well, what a week. I’ve barely stopped (and yes, I am much closer to being up to date now, thank goodness). Writing’s been done as has editing and reading. 
And what reading. I’ve been dipping into, and really enjoying, Niki Aguire’s 29 Ways to Drown, which is well worth a look. But mostly I’ve been reading Big World by Mary Miller and, well, it’s gone straight onto my Incredibles list (for those reasonably new to the blog that just means books I think are incredibly good). I’m not going to review it because a) I’ve not finished it (and don’t want to!) and b) I’m not very good at them but I will point you to what Tania Hershman said about it on The Short Review, which was what encouraged me to buy it in the first place.
It’s a wonderful collection of affecting, realist short stories that are brilliantly written and work perfectly.
Thank you Mary Miller and thank you The Short Review.

Clawing And Frazzled

24 Wednesday Jun 2009

Posted by in 20 Photographs and 20 Stories, catching up, The Alzheimer's Society, working hard

≈ 3 Comments

I know I’ve said it before I really am so so so so close to being up to date. Huge apologies to everyone who’s waiting for things from me – I promise you’ll have them soon.
Just to explain a little, this is what’s happened:
I had about a month’s worth of stuff that I didn’t do while I was working on the photo book.
I finished the photo book and started catching up.
Then more, fresh (and cool) stuff kept popping up, all stuff that had to be done QUICKLY.
And then deadlines for other things started looming, getting closer, like, erm, giant things.
So people, libraries, schools, I am on the case. If you’re waiting for something from me you should have it next week.
And this is what things look like on this side of the screen. One of the nice things that have happened is I’ve been able to write again. So, yeah, that’s good.
Enough burbling. Back to work, Nik.

Tales of the Decongested

23 Tuesday Jun 2009

Posted by in lists, short short story, Tales of the Decongested

≈ 2 Comments

Just a little update/plug.

The supercool reading/music night, Tales of the Decongested, (I’d love to be able to go to one, one day) is happening this Friday (details below) and my very short story, Lists (click to see it in its initial outing here) will appear in the handouts, which is something that really makes me very happy.
If you’re in London, get yourself down there!
And here are the details:

Date:
26 June 2009
Time:
19:00 – 20:45
Location:
3rd Floor Gallery Space, Foyles Bookshop
Street:
113-119 Charing Cross Road
Town/City:
London, United Kingdom

My Quiet Blog

22 Monday Jun 2009

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Well, I did say a little while ago that I thought things might go quiet here for a bit, while I sorted certain things out. And I’m closer to being able to do that. I’ve just got to get up to date with work first, which as lots of new things I have to deal with quickly keep landing on my desk is proving more difficult, and taking longer, than I thought. I’m not complaining. Just saying.

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Anway. Some things you might like to know:
The wonderful Elizabeth Baines is appearing at the Oxfam shop in Didsbury on July 8th.
And the equally wonderful Vanessa Gebbie’s short story collection is now out in paperback.
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And now back to work. I’m sure normal posting will resume soon.
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PS And I know I said on Twitter that my horoscope said that today was a good for me to get betrothed, but I have done nothing of the sort (there are certain fundamental components lacking) – sorry if I’ve disappointed anyone! And it’s got me thinking, has anyone proposed via Twitter? Or will they? Hmm, I wonder…

Mammoth

18 Thursday Jun 2009

Posted by in Lyuba, Woolly mammoth

≈ 11 Comments

This week I’d been thinking of writing a story which involved a woolly mammoth. I wrote it today (hurrah) and while I was doing my research I happened upon this, which, I reckon, is very, very cool so I thought I’d share.

The Things People Say

16 Tuesday Jun 2009

Posted by in libraries, People say the strangest things

≈ 7 Comments

I had an interesting exchange last night. I was in a pub, reading, when a friend’s brother came in with a group of people. They were celebrating an eighteenth birthday and were all rather drunk.

Which is good. It’s fine. It’s good to have fun.
One of the boys took my wallet from the bar and started going through it. I told him I’d only ask him once to stop. Which he did.
And then he said, and this is a strange thing, he said, ‘You know, if someone had a library card in there I’d punch them in the face.’
I opened my wallet and showed him mine. And my Society of Authors card and asked him what he intended to do.
He said sorry.
Now, I know he was just a drunk young boy who’d had one or two too many shandies and was probably showing off, but why would someone say something like that? It just seemed, well, strange.
I wonder what he does when he passes a library.
Strange.
But I think that book and library lovers are probably not in any danger. I certainly hope so.

Up and Down Sort of Day

15 Monday Jun 2009

Posted by in busy author, flash fiction, people might learn things from summit wot I wrote, short short story, Twitter

≈ 10 Comments

I Twittered this morning saying that I thought this was going to be a long day. And it has been. It really, really has.

I had A LOT of work to catch up on, and I’ve not done too badly. Plenty has spilled into tomorrow though, more than I’d hoped. And I wasn’t helped by various people drilling and cutting hedges and generally making too much noise. But such is life. I just wish things could be quieter at times, or that I could concentrate on complicated things with lots of noise going on around me. But in spite of all the distractions I’ve managed to get contracts and permissions and tax forms (ick!) signed and sent so a short story of mine can be used on a distance creative writing course in the US, which is pleasing.
And my head’s about full. Time to call it a day I reckon.

I’m Back

14 Sunday Jun 2009

Posted by in friends, spetic thoughts

≈ 7 Comments

I’m back from a truly fab couple of days spent in The South. 

And have been reminded how it feels to talk and to listen. How it feels to meet new people, to be happy for friends who’ve done good. To stroll and watch.  To be somewhere different. To laugh wildly, so wildly you think your head could pop or crack. To think about different things, things other than the stuff that’s been lodged in my head, going slowly septic.
To be me.
And to be reminded that I actually quite like Abba.
Thank you, friends.
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Must admit it’s not all roses. I’ve been hard at work pretty much since I stepped off the train (and that’s ignoring the writing I did ON the train), and more work keeps sprouting from somewhere.
But it’s been nice to have considerably more smooth than rough for a change.
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I will try (so so hard) to get everything to people who are waiting for things from me tomorrow.

On and Off Air

11 Thursday Jun 2009

Posted by in 20 Photographs and 20 Stories, canalside radio, taking a break

≈ 5 Comments

I’ll be away from my office from tomorrow, so no more blogging till Monday I expect. If anyone’s in Oxfordshire and fancies meeting up then drop me a line and I’ll see where I’m up to.

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And, as far as I’m aware, Canalside Community Radio will be broadcasting what was recorded at the launch night for 20 Photographs & 20 Stories, this Sunday from 8am (you can listen online here).
Have a great weekend, folks.
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