The Other Writer

I think I need the Other Writer much more than they need me. Off the top of my head I … More

Guest blog post: On moving on, by Dean Parkin

I have been sorting. I have been chucking. It’s been the recurring theme over the last eighteen months. I cleared … More

At the start of each academic year, usually when I have known them for a week or so, I make … More

The book is sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by small scraps of paper. Some have whole sentences on them. … More

Writing is about hypnotizing yourself into believing in yourself, getting some work done, then unhypnotyzing yourself and going over the … More

The Dead Woman If suddenly you do not exist,if suddenly you no longer live,I shall live on. I do not … More

The Advantages of Learning I am a man with no ambitions And few friends, wholly incapable Of making a … More

This is the opening question and answer to an interview with Paul Clyne of Poetry Spotlight, published today. With thanks … More

‘Hullo,’ says the book. ‘I thought you had gone away.’ ‘I lied,’ says the book. ‘What are you going to … More

‘Hullo!’ says the book. ‘Have we been introduced?’ I say. ‘I’m your new book!’ ‘But I haven’t finished the last … More

We walked into the brunt light, towards the hospital. The air was dry, February-cold. Traffic was going about its business. … More

‘I am so, so sorry.’ ‘You’re going to be fine.’ ‘Fight it, you know you’re a fighter.’ ‘Are we going … More

This is a momentous week. It marks the tenth anniversary of the day I was told I had cancer. To … More

The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … More

One of the great functions of art is to help … More

I am still not sure why, but in the middle of December I decided to take up running again. When … More

Dear Ant Well done for making it to the end of another year and the start of a new one. … More

‘To tell you the truth, it’s been shattering. But kind of amazing, as well.’ ‘You never said. You never said. … More