The wonderful Patrick Gale author of 15 novels and 2 short story collections has just been shortlisted for the Costa Novel Of the Year Prize. Here’s my Q&A with him on that novel ‘A Place Called Winter’ from the The Irish Times on Monday.
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Missed My Sold Out Class in Bath? Try Brighton Oct 10.
‘That Killer First Page’, my class on the short story, has now sold out in Bath on Oct 17. It’s been quite a run… sold out in Belfast, Cork, Waterstones Piccadilly and Writers Victoria, Melbourne, where it broke records by selling out in 20 minutes!
If you missed your chance in Bath you could always try Brighton. I’ll be teaching the class for New Writing South writer development agency on October 10. Click here to find out more.
Don’t forget I’m judging the Penny Dreadful Novella Prize alongside Sarah Baume and Colin Barrett and am the sole judge of the Bare Fiction Short Story Prize.
The Good Son Makes The Guardian’s ‘Not The Booker’ Prize Shortlist
I’m so thrilled that The Good Son has gone from a longlist of 70 books down to the last 6 to make The Guardian’s ‘Not The Booker’ shortlist. That it got there by public vote is a fantastic feeling, making the shortlisting all the sweeter.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me.
Read all about it here.
Readings and appearances this July.
I hope to see some of you at these events in July.
Monday July 13th 7.30-8.15pm: Harper Lee & Contemporary Fiction. Waterstones Piccadilly, London.
It’s a real honour to be part of the celebrations for the historic release of Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set a Watchman’ at Waterstones Piccadilly. I’ll be joining Joanna Trollope and theatre director Timothy Sheader to discuss Harper Lee and the enduring influence of her 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The event is chaired by my agent Carrie Kania who worked with Harper Lee in New York. Followed by more events and a screening of the film before an exclusive midnight opening where they will be the first bookshop to sell the noel in the UK. All events are free but please RSVP to piccadilly@waterstones.com.
Monday July 20th 7:30pm. Polari at The Southbank Centre, London.
I’ll be reading alongside Kerry Hudson, Lisa Jewell, Sarah Savage and Nigel May… for literary crackle, arousal and surprise in the final Polari salon of the summer. Polari was described by the Huffington Post in 2014 as ‘The most exciting literary movement in London… crackling with energy, ideas and excitement’. The salon is hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston. Level 5 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall. Please note that Polari contains adult themes. For ages 18+. For further info and booking click here.
Wednesday July 29th 7pm at The Bookish Supper Society, Brighton.
Housed at the gorgeous Regency Town House, I’ll be reading alongside Sarah Rayner and David Bramwell at a Summer Tea Party. Tickets on sale from Tabl.com.
Friday July 31st-August 2nd Aperture Festival at The Corrymeela Community, Ballycastle, N Ireland.
Music, literature, workshops, panel events… lots happening at this wonderful weekend by the sea. You can read the full programme here. I’ll be reading of the Saturday night and going a panel on the Sunday.
The Good Son 