It’s an old adage: write what you know about. And for very many poets, doing so forms the heart of their oeuvre. And why not? In addition to known subject matter providing a solid foundation for ‘authentic’ work, poetry can act as a kind of confidante when it comes to ‘working stuff out’: you only… Read More Poetry: writing about what you know – blessing or curse?
I attended half of an on-line multi-poet poetry reading the other day – and it was like being machine-gunned with poetry. “Here’s a poem; here’s a poem; here’s a poem; here’s a poem” … a rat-a-tat-tat of quick-fire delivery, one piece after the other. A session for the readers themselves, not really for the listeners.… Read More Poetry: Chew don’t Swallow…
Robert Olen Butler’s “Late City” is quite simply fantastic. It is a novel full of depth and feeling and passion; it is truly inventive, superbly written, fluid yet really well structured; and somewhat amazingly – given its subject – something of a page-turner. The ending made me cry. This is the first time I have… Read More “Late City”
There is something quite enigmatic and magical about Anne Rouse’s latest collection, “Ox-Eye”. Many of her images are nuanced, coded, almost just out of reach. It is as if she has an idea, taken one step away from it to ‘make it poetic’ (as is the way with poets!), and then taken another step away… Read More “Ox-Eye”
The premise for Mark Watson’s “Contacts” is original and intriguing, and one filled with real potential – especially for the writer. Unfortunately, to my mind, this potential is never quite realised. I’m afraid I found the narrative a little flimsy and, in spite of the book’s 370 pages, for me the characters never made it… Read More “Contacts”
I am delighted to announce that I have won First Prize in the Short Story category for the 2022 Swanwick Writers’ Summer school. This is a prestigious prize, and I am absolutely thrilled! Swanwick Writers’ Summer School has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Believed to be the longest running residential writers’ school in… Read More Finally – A FIRST PRIZE!
Twice a week now – on Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings – I take up a seat in the reference section of Ripon library and settle down to write for ninety minutes. It is, in a way, my job. Thus far I have been untroubled by library patrons or fellow-writers heading for where I sit… Read More The luxury of being forced to write…
Many years ago when I was studying at University, during holidays I used to work in a bookmakers. It was a wonderful experience for a young man learning about people and life. ‘Welshman’ is a short story based on those experiences, and whilst it is not a retelling of a specific event nor portraying real… Read More ‘Welshman’ – new podcast episode
If you’ve read my previous reviews – all the way back into 2018! – you’ll know that I loved Natasha Pulley’s “The Watchmaker of Filigree Street” and “The Bedlam Stacks”. Sadly I can’t say the same of “The Kingdoms”. The beginning of the book is something of a confused muddle. I know the main character… Read More “The Kingdoms”
Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers’ Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next,… Read More Another great mentoring experience!
Delighted to be starting as Writer-in-Residence at Ripon Library next week!
Jon McGregor is nothing if not inventive and challenging – and “Lean Fall Stand” is both of those things. Spoiler alert! The primary action of the novel (covered in the ‘Lean’ part of the story) concerns an ill-fated expedition in Antarctica. The rest of the novel – ‘Fall’ and ‘Stand’ – narrates the post-expedition experiences… Read More “Lean Fall Stand”
“you have to make an effort when putting pen to paper; it’s more meaningful; you leave something of yourself in the marks you make” Caroline, in my forthcoming story “Smoking in the Park”
I like to add some variety to my working routine. Often – as this morning – I make my way first thing to the café in one of our local supermarkets. Usually first or second to be served (black Americano and an almond croissant), I plant myself at the far corner table and open my… Read More Working in ‘the office’…
On Thursday next week I embark on another three-day gig as on-site mentor for a writers’ retreat. The commitment involves running a couple of workshops, some evening sessions – ice-breakers, readings etc. – and individual 1-2-1s with the participants. Based on my experiences thus far, I am probably looking forward to the 1-2-1s most of… Read More Looking forward to mentoring again…
If you were looking for a collection of short stories with a somewhat dizzying array of themes, characters and styles, you could do a lot worse than take a look at Daniel Mason’s “A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth”. Thanks to the variety in the nine stories offered us, it is actually very… Read More “A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth”
The other day I read my short story “Park’n’Ride” at a local writing group. Someone whose opinion I respect described it as ‘brilliant’. It was – needless to say – a real boost! Of course it was also a demonstration of how subjective our appreciation of writing – or any art – is. “Park’n’Ride” has… Read More One little word…
I have just published two new episodes on my “Walking Thru’ Fire” podcast; both are short stories. “Downsizing” – sometimes short stories can surprise you, emerging not from specific ideas or experiences, but growing organically from seeds which you are later unable to identify or remember. “Downsizing” is one such story. It will be included… Read More Two New Podcast Episodes
I am delighted to be able to announce the publication of “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”. At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have for… Read More Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I have just added readings of poems from my collection The Homelessness of a Child to my podcast “Walking Thru Fire”. You can find this episode – and many others! – on Buzzsprout, and it should find its way onto other podcast platforms – such as Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music etc. – in the next… Read More New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
Ian Gouge, Writer 
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