Interviewed by Roelof

Here's a new interview with me by Roelof Bakker, the founder of the press which recently ran the Negative Press London/Foyles Short Story Competition. My story 'Piano' won the competition and appears on the press's website here, so feel free to have a read of that if you haven't already. As well as running the press, Roelof is an artist-photographer so why not check out his own website here too? I really enjoyed having a look around at Roelof's work, in particular the 'Snow' video.

At the Dylan Thomas Festival

A picture in the green room at The Dylan Thomas Centre

It was great to read at The Dylan Thomas Festival in Swansea last Saturday (November 3rd) with fellow Edge Hill Prize shortlistees Rowena Macdonald and Zoe Lambert. After a lovely introduction from Dylan Thomas Centre Literature Officer Jo Furber, I was first up and read 'The Rings of Saturn', the last story in my collection. Rowena followed with sections from her story 'Brian, McMurphy and Sally Too' and Zoe came last with a reading of her story 'Down Duchy Road'. Instead of a formal q and a in the auditorium, it was nice to go into the bar with members of the audience and chat more informally - answering questions about our inspirations and backgrounds over a glass of wine or two. The three of us then had to dodge hailstones as we headed away from the centre and into the early evening. I kept an eye out for Mr and Mrs Pugh from 'Under Milk Wood' while I was there but sadly didn't see them. Perhaps next time, you never know...