Did you miss me?
Bet you did, just a bit. This blog’s been super quiet for a long time, so firstly an apology for the long silence and tumbleweeds. It’s been an extremely busy few months and I’m still trying to get back to normality. Some good stuff has happened, some not-so-good stuff has happened. But now my second year at uni is finished, so it’s time to get the blog rolling again and tell you guys what I’ve been up to all this time.
Firstly, we launched an anthology.
Traditionally, every year the BA (Hons) Creative and Professional Writing course at the University of Nottingham produces an anthology. However, now that the course is closing, our class will be the last graduates it sees. So this was the last one it produced – but certainly not the least!
Vices and Virtues is a collection of short stories and poetry inspired by the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues, and it features work from local writers as well as students on the course. As editor, I’ve watched the project grow from the brainstorming stage, through a shaky period of uncertainty, and now to a box of printed copies.
It’s a small little book at around 100 pages, but a lot of time and love went into it. The launch was held at the Nottingham Writers’ Studio on 30th April and we had a really good turnout, with readings throughout the day. I might make a more in-depth post on the process the anthology went through later; self-publishing through Lulu and handling email admin was a valuable experience and I learned a lot. For now, keep an eye on the Vices and Virtues Facebook page – I’m currently working on making the book available for sale on Amazon and Lulu.com.
In May, I wrote two short stories for Life’s Great Journey, the second charity e-book produced by the Big Care Write-Up. (I also wrote for the first one: Silver Lining was published in Carers of the Cosmos last November.) A Drop in the Ocean takes inspiration from The Little Mermaid and follows the daughter of a scientist as she unearths secrets onboard an aerial research ship. Flown the Coop follows a woman who has just left her controlling husband and hopes to find comfort in her rediscovered childhood. Donations go to the Leicestershire Carer’s Centre charity, and by donating even £1 you can read ten fantastic stories. The Big Care Write-Up are interested in promoting and supporting emerging writers, and I’m pleased to be joining the team as a regular writer. Keep an eye out on their Facebook and Twitter for the next submission call!
This Saturday, on 25th June I’ll be reading an extract of my short story Zenith at the launch of a new anthology as part of this year’s Leicester Writes Festival. The book is Lost and Found: Stories of Home by Leicestershire Writers. I’ve been bouncing around with excitement ever since I saw the cover – have a look at my little virtual football shirt too! Other readers include Richard Cox, Corinne Fowler, Emma Lee, Alison Moore and Jonathan Taylor. The event is in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter so if you’re local have a look at the festival programme!
That’s all of the exciting news done. Otherwise I’m working on a couple of entries for the Doctor Who Paul Spragg Memorial competition and shifting my focus more towards long-term projects. I’m doing a rather exciting group writing project with a couple of uni friends which is coming along okay, albeit still in the early stages. For next year’s dissertation, I’m hoping to write and complete a novel. At the moment Pyromancer is the likely choice, although I’m still struggling plot-wise so there’s a lot of writerly self-doubt going on. More on that in my next Rewriter’s Block post which will be up in a week or so.
You’ll find me being more active on here now as I get back up to speed, and when I’m braver possibly even a vlog or two (hopefully not as bloody awkward as the one I attempted last year. Y’know, that one). Aiming to blog every second week, but expect things to fluctuate a little as I experiment with styles and such.
Phew! So now things are back up to speed, it’s business as usual. Thanks for bearing with me!
(Oh, and pardon the pun. It’s been four months, I’m allowed.)