Perserverence Makes Prizes

Just heard that Tamar Yellin’s “The Genizah At The House Of Shepher” has won the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature.Couldn’t have happened to a nicer, or more dedicated, person. The book was a long time in the making, but it just shows you what you can do when you perservere. I’m so excited for […]

E-books are beginning to tempt me

And that’s something I never thought I’d say. Generally I haven’t traditionally enjoyed reading from a screen, but book reader displays are getting higher and higher in resolution, and I have a feeling it won’t be so very long before publishers are going to be faced with a pretty persuasive commercial and environmental argument that […]

Interzone is 25

With the publication of its latest issue (in the shops now!), Interzone magazine is officially 25 years old. I’ve been reading it for at least 80% of that time and over the years it has introduced me to an uncountable list of fantastic writers that have enriched my life. I’ve eulogised about the mag before, […]

Sort of Mellow

That’s the way I’m feeling today. It might be because I’ve taken an impromptu day off to get some writing done, or it might be the music I’m listening to at the moment. So, a coupla recommendations for you. 1/ Being launched on Monday, The Ballads Of The Book. A rather exciting arts council funded […]

A Rare, But Amusing, Conflation Of Interests

We’re just back from a couple of days in Birmingham being astonishingly-well entertained by the incredibly talented folk of CandyBox. Look, if you live in the area – or even if you don’t – get yourself some tickets for their next show on April 1st. Even if (for whatever reason) you’re not piqued by the […]

It’s a Book? A Film? And a Song?

So, it’s been a busy old week that’s hardly seen me in the house. I don’t normally like having so much stuff happening at once, but sometimes it’s just unavoidable. So, what’ve we had? Monday : Band rehearsal ahead of the year’s first gig later in the week. Blasted through the set first time with […]

Word, Dog

A date for yer diary, should you be interested in this sort of thing.Wednesday 24th January, 8.30pm 13th Note, King Street, Glasgow Word Dogs : Cry Havoc! An explosive evening of high-octane fiction readings on the subject of conflict, war, ruckuses, barneys and gentlemen’s boxing brought to you by Word Dogs, the exhibitionist arm of […]

Beggars Belief

How is it even possible that anyone thought that this was a good idea, let alone neglected to take medical advice about it. Me, though, I don’t really blame the idiot radio station, or the half-wits that entered the competition. I blame the Nintendo marketing geniuses that came up with product name in the first […]

It’s a Swizz!

So, that’s the holiday break almost over. I’ve got a couple of days yet til I go back to work, but as one of them will be spent having root treatment at the dentist, it doesn’t really count. As you’ll have gathered it’s not been the most healthy or productive of breaks, but even so […]

Humbug!

How’s your Christmas going? Probably better than mine, I imagine. We had a cracking couple of days out at my folks’ place, but since the minute we got home I’ve been laid flat out with a bastard of a lurgie. All those marvellous Xmas goodies? No appetite and couldn’t taste them even if I did. […]