The Good Son reviewed on BBC Radio

You can listen back to the wonderful review of The Good Son on BBC Radio Ulster by Mike Philpott on the Kerry McLean Show at 42.15 mins in.

“Heart-rending… It has everything… the casual brutality of the Troubles seems worse because it’s seen through this child’s eyes. It’s so real, one the best protagonists I’ve read in a long, long time… The last time a character had stayed with me like that was Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye.

One of McVeigh’s talents is he takes you from sadness to humour to horror to a whole range of other emotions quite often even in the space of one page which is not an easy thing to do.”

Listeners:

“A bitter-sweet experience… One I’d reccomend to all.”

“Amazing, disturbing, sad and funny.”

“It’s the story of every child. I really enjoyed it but it did make me cry.”

“A cracking read. One I’d definitely recommend.”

Amazing! Thanks everyone.

11029486_459293067572820_8669913911994131164_n

 

That Killer First Page Sold Out – Special Guest Lucy Caldwell

‘That Killer First page’ continues its sold out run as the last place went yesterday for this Saturday at Waterstones Piccadilly. My special guest is Lucy Caldwell​ winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize whose debut collection comes out with Faber next year. Lucy has also won… hold on to your seats… The George Devine Award, Susan Smith Blackburn Award, Irish Playwrights’ and Screenwriters’ Guild Award, Richard Imison Award, Rooney Prize for Irish Literature & Dylan Thomas Prize. You are in for a treat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p033yt4m/player

Watch Lucy talk about short stories at The Small Wonder Festival this year.

Great fun at City Reads. See you in Hastings?

Lots of fun reading at City Reads Brighton last night. Reading alongside a long list of wonderful writers.

12063602_498831536952306_6767362477852027599_n

If you like live literature and you want to catch me reading you can come to Hastings on Oct 27 (my birthday) for my third Polari salon.  It ‘s always an excellent line up. I met comedian Chris Green year’s ago when I was writing and directing comedy in London. I watched his first show and gave him some directing notes. I wonder if he’ll remember me? I hope to see some of you there.

Polari Hastings

Man A-Live! Brighton, Bath and Hastings.

Do you like going to live events? Watching and listening to authors read their work? I’m staying in my home town of Brighton tonight for Polari, hosted by the rather fab Paul Burston. I’ll be reading alongside VG Lee, Fergus Evans, Juliet Jacques and Damian Barr. Come along to The Marlborough Theatre at 7.30pm. You can get your tickets here.

12045756_904985646221329_8810173189193944073_o

My most unusual reading at the Wroclaw International Short Story Festival this month.

Tomorrow I’m off to Bath to teach my ‘Killer First Page’ class (sold out I’m afraid but tickets available for London). In the evening I’m reading with Tania Hershman and Sarah Hilary at St James Wine Vaults at 7.30pm.

Back in Brighton again on Wed 21st as part of the City Reads celebration of Matt Haig’s ‘The Humans’. A wealth of writing talent will respond to this work in their own way. Check out the list below.

On Being Human

On my birthday, October 27th, I’ll be reading in Hastings at my second Polari event of the month alongside Adam Mars-Jones, Chris Green, Diane Perry and Erica Smith. The event starts at 7.30pm at The Print works, 14 Claremont, America Ground.

Polari Hastings

Hope to see some of you there. Say hello.