An interview and other news

Rachel Connor

I'm interviewed by writer (and wonderful cook) Rachel Connor over here today as part of her 'Literary Sisters' series. I know Rachel from when I attended an Arvon course at Lumb Bank a couple of years ago (where she works) and she welcomed us all with the most delicious cakes. Being a huge cake fan, friendship was inevitable really. Anyway, have a read and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning a copy of my book too. While you're there have a look at the other 'Literary Sisters' (writers past and present) and why not buy a copy of Rachel's novel 'Sisterwives'? I really enjoyed it - it's an intriguing insight into the lives of two women who live in an isolated religious community and are married to the same man. There's some beautiful language in the book and I found it be quite a page-turner as I wanted to know how the difficulties the women faced were going to unfold. It would be worth keeping Rachel on your radar too, if she isn't already, as she is set to have afternoon play on Radio 4 in the future. Very exciting indeed.

In other news: I'm holding a short story workshop in Hebden Bridge on Sunday, October 14 as part of the Writers' Roadshow during the Calderdale Readers' and Writers' Festival (Rachel is also holding an event as part of the festival). You can find out more here and book a place.

Also, I'm going to be reading with fellow Edge Hill Prize shortlistees Zoe Lambert and Rowena Macdonald at The Dylan Thomas Festival in Swansea on Saturday, November 3 - details here.

Finally, I have a story in the forthcoming Unthology 3 from Unthank Books (due out November) and I'm very excited to be alongside writers David Rose, Philip Langeskov and Sarah Dobbs in that. (Sarah's novel 'Killing Daniel' is also out from Unthank soon.)