Dumb was as good as dead; better to utter
After a blog hiatus I am back with some miscellaneous stuff.
Look out for the next edition of Abridged 23: Dust and Desire. I’ve got a sonnet in it. They’ve a fancy new site here.
As I’ve been AWOL from the blogosphere I’ve missed loads of stuff. Big congrats to Eimear Ryan for her storming year – well deserved!
Catching up with stuff it was nice to see that my Contrary story, The Pool, was featured in Wigleaf’s 2011 Longlist of Top 50 Very Short Fictions, and that a poem of mine was longlisted for the Lightship poetry prize.
Loved the new Carol Ann Duffy collection, The Bees. My faves would be Premonitions (a very moving poem about her mother), Telling the Bees, Atlas, and Snow. Love the description of the Snow as ‘a huge unsaying.’ The name of this post is taken from one of the sections of the collection.
A belated mention re: The Sunday Independent Hennessy supplement. It was great to be involved, and I especially loved the high concept photo shoots!
I’ve just finished Tom Vowler’s debut short story collection The Method and it’s very impressive – he’s got great versatility and daring. I like diverse collections, and Vowler is authoritative regardless of whether he is writing about the criminal underworld, suburban angst or future dystopias.
I was delighted to hear I received 1st prize in this year’s Jonathan Swift Short Story Award. Unfortunately I couldn’t make the ceremony because of family issues, but it’s always a lovely event and big thanks to everyone involved in organising it over the last few years.
The patchwork image seems to fit your patchwork life! Sounds like congrats all round are in order…
Thanks Jinksy, you’re very kind.
Congrats on Jonathan Swift, David. Nice one
Congrats on all your successes! I saw that Independent supplement, very impressive stuff. I’ve come across Tom Vowler’s work before, ‘versatility and daring’ such a lovely accolade.
Welcome back David! Sounds like you’ve been busy.
Thanks Val.
Thanks Brian, nice to hear from you.
Hi Brigid, Thanks for that – yes the Vowler collection is well worth a look I must say.
that supplement was pure rock n roll David! As usual congrats all round – glad you enjoyed Vowler, I think it’ll be a good one for discussion
Hiya Niamh, great to hear from you. The Vowler book was a great choice – it will be great for discussion.
Great to have you back and well done as always on all your achievements – Will seek out Carol Ann Duffy’s collection and The Method – both sound great. Chat soon:)X
Thanks Louise. Congrats on your storming year!