Gaynor Arnold – Guest Lecture

Posted on February 26, 2015 by tindalstreetfg

Gaynor Arnold, author of After Such Kindness (2012), will read from her novel and discuss her fictional recreation of the relationship between Lewis Carroll and his child muse, Alice Liddell, with Dr Patricia Pulham from the University’s research Centre for Studies in Literature (CSL). This lecture will launch a programme of public events organised by CSL in association with Hampshire Library Services to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice in Wonderland.

Date and time: Thursday 12 March 2015, 6.30pm
Venue: University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, LT3 Portland Street, Portsmouth PO1 3DE
Admission: Free, but please register on http://gaynorarnold.eventbrite.co.uk or call 023 9284 3757

Download the flier for this event here.

Photos from Kerry’s launch

Posted on February 10, 2015 by takingsky

Kerry’s book ‘North Atlantic Drift’ was launched on Friday 6th February. Details here. Some pictures from the launch (copyright: Tom Griffiths):

Kerry signs books for fans…

Kerry O’Grady’s Book Launch

Posted on January 29, 2015 by takingsky

TSFG member Kerry is launching her YA book ‘North Atlantic Drift’ on Friday 6th February 7:30 @ St Patrick’s Irish Club in Leamington Spa. You can purchase and find more details here.

Gaynor Arnold to give the School of English (Birmingham City University) annual lecture.

Posted on December 8, 2014 by takingsky

Gaynor has been invited to speak on ‘Inventing the Past’ and she will talk about the genre sometimes described as ‘bio-fiction’. Her two nineteenth century novels, Girl in a Blue Dress and After Such Kindness are works of the imagination, but centre on actual historical people. Girl in a Blue Dress looks at the marriage of Charles Dickens from his wife’s point of view, while After such Kindness re-imagines the relationship between the child Alice and the adult Lewis Carroll.

Date: 17th Dec 2014. Venue: Baker 508, City North Campus (Perry Barr). 1-2pm.

More info: https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/Event/The-2014-School-of-English-Lecture-Inventing-the-Past-the-Truth-behind-the-Facts

Kit de Waal secures book deal with Viking

Posted on December 8, 2014 by takingsky

To top off a brilliant year (eg winner of the Bridport Flash Fiction prize; see below for more!) Kit has secured a deal for her first novel ‘My Name is Leon’ with Viking.

Book Trade says: Kit de Waal’s dazzlingly painful and uplifting debut takes the reader inside the mind of a little boy who will enchant and live on in the reader’s mind long after the last page is read.

Well done, Kit. Read more here: http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/57187/nl

Kit de Waal’s story on Radio 4.

Posted on November 21, 2014 by takingsky

Don’t miss Kit de Waal’s contribution to the Midlands Odyssey (see post below), soon to be aired on Radio 4, Sunday 30th November @7:45pm. A link to more details.

This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Adrift at the Athena

Shorts: Writing WestEpisode 1 of 3

SHORTS: New writing. New writers.

The first of three Midlands Odysseys: short stories written in response to The Odyssey – transplanting episodes from Homer’s epic to contemporary Midlands settings.

Ulysses Tate has been away for a long time and is trying to get home. At the Athena launderette, he meets a woman who shows him great kindness.

By Kit de Waal.

Producer: Mair Bosworth.

Kit de Waal wins Bridport Flash Fiction Competition

Posted on November 3, 2014 by takingsky

To add to her already groaning trophy shelf (see entry below) Kit de Waal has won the prestigious Bridport Flash Fiction competition. Congratulations, Kit. Pictures show Kit receiving the award from judge Tania Hershman, and from her acceptance speech.

Garrie Fletcher appearing at events at the Birmingham Literature Festival

Posted on September 25, 2014 by takingsky

Garrie is collaborating with artist Anya Jung on creating ‘a modern take on an urban gothic tale, set amongst the twisted architecture of Birmingham’ in the form of a comic book completed over the ten days of the festival. On October 8th at 6:30 in the Library of Birmingham visitors can see how they’re getting along, and join in a Q & A session. More details here.

Garrie is also featured in a poetry workshop as part of the Festival’s Extra events. Details here. Take note too, of the Lost Districts tribute to Joel Lane also part of the Extra events.

Mick Scully appearing at Best British Short Stories 2014 event

Posted on September 25, 2014 by takingsky

Mick Scully, whose story ‘The Sea in Birmingham’ appears in the Best British Short Stories 2014 will be appearing at the Library of Birmingham on October 30th, alongside another Brummie and fellow contributor Louise Palfreyman, MJ Harrison and editor Nicholas Royle. The event is dedicated to Joel lane, who died last year. He was a prolific story writer and contributed to Best British Short Stories 2012. More information here.

Picture below from the Library of Birmingham.

Best British Short Stories 2014

Yasmin Ali appearing at Seven Minute Stories Event.

Posted on September 16, 2014 by takingsky

Join Yasmin and other writers for a discussion on commissioned work and hear extracts from their stories at the Library of Birmingham on November 26th @ 6pm. Full details here.