An attention-grabbing title for a collection of short stories by Alan Beard, published by Floodgate. The celebratory launch was held at Voce books in Digbeth, Birmingham. The room was crowded with lots of Alan’s writing friends, family and readers of his work. In addition to reading his first story – in two parts – Alan was interviewed by Wendy Erskine.
i learned several interesting things.
- Alan has been writing since he was nine. One particular teacher was encouraging about his story telling abilities, almost – but not quite – publishing his stories. Alan told them to a class mate, who wrote them out in neat writing, and another pupil illustrated them. Unfortunately, the teacher was temporary and didn’t return the next term with the published work. I recall Melvin Bragg describing how one particular teacher took an interest in his work which contributed to his future success.
- I can’t remember whether Alan has written every day since he was nine, but for years he has jotted down people and incidents he’s observed from which he’s been able to put together stories.
- The style is unmistakably Alan’s. Even so his writing career has been supported by his reading, and analysis of what he’s read, by being part of a writing community – Tindal Street Fiction group – and by being published by Floodgate, a Birmingham based publisher.
There was an excited buzz to the event. It was good to meet old friends, among them Charlie Wilkinson and Sybil Ruth. On such an evening it’s easy to forgot how much work goes into compiling an anthology – not just the actual writing, but life’s experiences noted and remembered.
Earlier that day I went, to the Temperance café in Leamington to an event funded by The Royal Literary Society. Amanda Smyth reads to an audience of about 13, one short story and one poem of her choosing. So far all the material has been new to me so I’ve been introduced to writers – and readers – I don’t know. What is great, is the discussion. If I’d read the stories or the poem on my own, even if it was on audio, I’d only have my perspective. The age group is wide; so is the perspective. In a book club, you have to read a whole novel before you share your opinion. Here, we turn up and listen. Perfect.
Temperance Café, Leamington Spa. We sit at a long table in the back, downstairs
Reading: Eileen – Ottessa Moshfegh in preparation for Helen Cross’s Novel writing course in January. An American novelist, it was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016. It’s described as a ‘pyschological thriller’. I’m not an avid reader of thrillers; it did get exciting towards the end. The character of Eileen was well-drawn and the language vivid. Otherwise, I found it a rather gloomy novel. Dipping in to 44 Poems on Being with Each Other – edited by Pádraig ÓTuama whose introductory comments are a good part of the experience. I’m currently attending one of Jonathan Davidson’s Poetry Short course. New poems, new group members and the chance to write and share poetry.
Recent Comments