Alan’s story ‘Afternoon Drinking’ – also the title of his new collection coming out in Autumn 2025 from Floodgate Press – was published April 13th. Link here.

Ex member Kit’s new novel The Best of Everything is launched this week. It has already attracted fabulous reviews, eg in The Guardian, who called it a ‘beautifully rendered tale extolling unfashionably the virtues of kindness’, and The Irish Independent who called it ‘immersive’. Bernadine Evaristo said it was a ‘profoundly compassionate novel of devastating power’. Huge congratulations, Kit!

Ex member Garrie made the longlist of the prestigious Galley Beggar short story prize. His story ‘Counting Backwards’ is available to read here.

Also a new Midlands based magazine Derwent Press has published Garrie’s story, ‘Punctuation’ in its first issue. More information here: https://www.instagram.com/derwent_press/

Long time TSFG member Gaynor Arnold’s latest story ‘The Visit’ has been published by the great Fictive Dream. Link here.

Elizabeth appeared on ‘Between the Covers’ talking about her debut novel ‘Whale Fall’ which was highly praised by critics and charmed the panel which included Jo Brand and Sir Trevor McDonald.

You can see the whole episode on the BBC iPlayer here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0025gh0/between-the-covers-series-8-episode-5

Elizabeth’s book, called ‘rather special’ by host Sara Cox’ is discussed from 9min 35 secs in.

Alan’s story ‘Inside’ first appeared in TSFG’s ‘Thursday Nights’ (2023) which celebrated 40 years of the group, and is now re-published alongside a fantastic line up of story writers including Jonathan Coe, Cynan Jones, Kamila Shamsie, and Kevin Boniface. An ideal Christmas present – buy here.

Natalie (Shoshana Lavan) was asked to read her piece ‘Three Cornered Hat’ at the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize event recently. Picture below from the event (Natalie/Shoshana is second from the left). More information about the prize here.

Liz’s piece ‘After Jutland 1916’ was called “A touching and assured story of motherhood and family as a widow struggles to raise her three boys after losing her husband. A tale of ordinary heroism done with a light touch” by the judges.

More information about the prize and other winners here.

‘Night Time Economy’, an anthology of fiction and non fiction set in the West Midlands, was launched last night (12/9/24) at Voce Books, Birmingham. From Floodgate Press who brought you ‘Digbeth Stories’ last year, this promises to be another roaring success, particularly as it features 4 Tindal Street members: Alan Beard, Liz Kershaw, Mez Packer and Charles Wilkinson.

Rachel’s piece (‘a bit dark btw,’ she says) has been published by Epoque Press. https://www.epoquepress.com/ezine-belonging-rachel-sambrooks