I am writing a long sequence of sonnets that will see publication in 2023. I thought it might be fun to share some of them in advance. A sonnet is included below, along with an audio recording of me reading it. The Generous and the Selfish Fearing the diagnosis, his vaccine was to spend, see… Read More The Generous and the Selfish – a sonnet
I am writing a long sequence of sonnets that will see publication in 2023. I thought it might be fun to share some of them in advance. A sonnet is included below, along with an audio recording of me reading it. Obituary of a Would-be Poet Fettered by one uninspiring view he sought another, as… Read More Obituary of a Would-be Poet – a sonnet
I am writing a long sequence of sonnets that will see publication in 2023. I thought it might be fun to share some of them in advance. A sonnet is included below, along with an audio recording of me reading it. Autumn Chill I no longer mind your troubled brow naked like a frosted winter… Read More Autumn Chill – a sonnet
On Friday 25th November I am being interviewed in Harrogate Library as part of their ‘Books and Beverages’ series. The interview will cover both my writing and publishing exploits. I’m looking forward to it hugely! Although this is an in-person event, it is also being filmed and streamed, and will be available ‘live’ and from… Read More I’m being interviewed!
I am writing a long sequence of sonnets that will see publication in 2023. I thought it might be fun to share some of them in advance. A sonnet is included below, along with an audio recording of me reading it. On Being Thrown Over Would your love for me increase were I to die?… Read More On Being Thrown Over – a sonnet
The phrase is – to the best of my knowledge – original and my own. It is a line from a new poetry project on which I have started work. The only reason I mention it is that I read it out at a writing group today and three people wrote it down. It was,… Read More You can’t spend time twice…
If I was disappointed by Robert Butler Olen’s short story collection “A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain” then it was not because of the individual stories themselves. They are all well-written, and some of them exceptional. But reading the book cover-to-cover, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed/bored by the lack of variation in the… Read More “A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain”
I am pleased to be able to announce the publication of a new edition of my first short story collection, Secrets & Wisdom. This edition contains a little stylistic reworking and a few other minor amendments. There have also been some changes to font and layout to better align with Coverstory books‘ house style. Secrets… Read More “Secrets & Wisdom” – a new edition
I have just published a new episode on my Walking Thru’ Fire podcast, the opening of my short story “How Does It Start?” The story is perhaps a little unusual in that ‘the action’ doesn’t really start until the second section i.e. immediately following on from what I have read. This first element is part… Read More New Podcast Episode
The BBC recently broadcast a reading of T.S.Eliot’s “Four Quartets” by Ralph Fiennes. I say ‘reading’ but with Fiennes, a stage and spotlights, it was more like a performance. Which was fine. Some parts worked especially well, I thought. The programme prompted me to go back and re-read the poem – possibly for the first… Read More On “Four Quartets”
It’s fair to say that it would be entirely realistic to suggest that one could sit down and read Andrew Michael Hurley’s “Starve Acre” in a single session. The book is the right size, well-written, and rattles along at a suitable pace to make consumption in one go not a ridiculous notion. What is less… Read More “Starve Acre”
After a little bit of a false start last week, I am pleased to have been able to read yesterday evening at Fountains Abbey’s regular October event, ‘Fountains by Floodlight‘. The event takes place each Saturday during October, and also includes the final two Fridays as well. Tickets are selling fast! In addition to spectacular… Read More ‘Fountains by Floodlight’ – an update
Following on from the recent issue of a second edition of At Maunston Quay, I have decided that the time is right to work through some of my earlier fiction to offer updated editions. I am staring with Secrets & Wisdom, and have already begun the editing process. Whilst this is in-train, I feel it… Read More Time for a programme of rework…
I am delighted to announce the publication of a new edition of my novel, At Maunston Quay.
Riveting and brilliant… After “Late City” I was looking forward to my second Robert Olen Butler – and “Perfume River” didn’t disappoint. There were a number of things I liked about this book: I already have my next Butler waiting to be read…
I am excited to announce that I will be reading at Fountains Abbey’s regular October event, ‘Fountains by Floodlight‘. The event takes place each Saturday during October, and also includes the final two Fridays as well. Tickets are selling fast! In addition to spectacular lighting, special tours and music, there will be a number of… Read More ‘Fountains by Floodlight’
Primarily as a direct result of Ripon’s fifth Poetry Festival (RPF), I have read at four events over the past week. So how was it? Thursday: RPF – Open Mic. In many ways it was a typical open mic: massive variety in terms of style, content and quality. The most jarring element of the event… Read More A week of Readings: how was it?
I can see why Ruth Ozeki’s “The Book of Form and Emptiness” made it to the Booker Prize shortlist. It’s wonderful. Don’t be put off by the c.550 pages of the paperback version as I nearly was; the novel rewards reading. And persistence isn’t really needed as the story keeps up a good pace throughout.… Read More “The Book of Form and Emptiness”
Last week I mentored at a private two-day retreat whose eleven attendees were all academics from a renowned UK university. Needless to say, I had been a little nervous in advance..! Firstly we were talking about hosting / steering / having 1-2-1s with proven intellectual heavyweights. Secondly, I knew very little about any of their… Read More Mentoring with arm-bands…
After far too long I have finally completed the first draft of a long sonnet sequence which has been rumbling along, largely as a background task, since March 2019. If not before. Having consciously given the project a degree of focus over the last few months, I have been able to cover the last of… Read More When you’re only half-way through…
Ian Gouge, Writer 
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