I've just returned from a wonderful UK mini-tour for A Superior Spectre, which is now released there by Saraband. My first reviews, in the Daily Mail and The Herald Scotland (both linked here), have been positive, thankfully, and I'm still processing all the events, and the people I met and hung out with along the way. The Edinburgh International … Continue reading Readings Prize shortlist and A Superior Spectre out now in the UK
travel
Dear anonymous
Thank you, whoever you are, for renewing my Writers Vic membership for the next two years. What an incredibly generous gesture. Since, it seems, you are interested in my work, let me reveal where the manuscript I've just begun is partly set, via Brian Cox: Which is close to: In the realm of the estate … Continue reading Dear anonymous
Merry everything to you
I'm tucked away in the English countryside with my partner, sister, her girlfriend, a puppy called Beauly, and David Copperfield on my ereader. We have a chook and a ham, plenty of booze, and space all around us. The puppy is hard work! But when she looks at you with those big black eyes, you forgive … Continue reading Merry everything to you
Vertigo
Yesterday I climbed the mountain Beinn Eighe, and it was breathtaking. I get a bit of vertigo; when there's a drop by the path I have to lean away from it and not look down or else my legs crumble and my head spins. As I laid in bed last night, my muscles humming with … Continue reading Vertigo
A few choice quotes from EIBF
Hello! I've been meaning to add a final post after Edinburgh International Book Festival 2013, with some of my favourite quotes in the sessions I went along to. These are basically tweets I sent out during the festival, gathered together: Salman Rushdie described reclusive author Thomas Pynchon like this: he's tall, wears lumberjack shirts & … Continue reading A few choice quotes from EIBF
EIBF 2013: brainy stuff
A version of this post was first published on the Stoffers blog. At the Edinburgh International Book Festival I’ve been going along to many sessions about the brain, psychology, mental health and the psych industries. Of HUGE interest to me both generally and in relation to themes in my creative writing. Oliver James’ new book Office … Continue reading EIBF 2013: brainy stuff
‘I’m Holbeck Ghyll’
First published on the Stoffers blog. You have to allow yourself one indulgence while travelling: one wild night, one big purchase, two nights at a five star hotel... I just had my one indulgence for this trip. And it relates to a 2010 TV series (that was also turned into a film) called The Trip, starring … Continue reading ‘I’m Holbeck Ghyll’
Travel update
A 'working holiday' is kind of how we're describing it, though it's hard to explain to strangers the work I'm doing: preparing for a book festival, writing occasional travel blog posts (many of which I can re- or cross-post here), editing an anthology and writing a chapbook. Not to mention the research I want to … Continue reading Travel update
David Bowie is
It was a two-hour wait in the sunshine and then, inside, among statues, pillars and carved gates for the David Bowie is… exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (soon to travel to Canada and—updated August 2014—ACMI in Melbourne).David Bowie is a singular, metamorphosing musical figure and artist (I've written about my love for him before). … Continue reading David Bowie is
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2013
I'll be brief as I'm on the road and very busy, but hopefully will write soon to tell you about going to the V&A in London to see the Bowie exhibition, and visiting Stratford-upon-Avon—Shakespeare's birthplace and grave! I just wanted to put up the panels/interviews I'm hosting at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year, … Continue reading Edinburgh International Book Festival 2013
LiteraryMinded 