Generous review from Asham for Glass Bubble

I am indebted to the organisers of The Asham Award for their most generous review of Words from a Glass Bubble.

This stunning range of work is not afraid to explore the darker side of human emotion, yet allows us to see the light which often wavers at the end of the bleakest and longest tunnel.

These beautifully written stories are in the best literary tradition, lyrical yet understated.

For the rest of this review and to read what they say about Short Circuit, the forthcoming short story text book from Salt Publishing, see the News section of the Asham Award Website, HERE You can also read up on the finalists of this year's award, and read other news especially about Julia Widdow's novel.

Short Circuit contains a brilliant chapter entitled 'Writing into the Void' from Marian Garvey, last year's winner of the Asham Award for new Women Writers.

I am delighted to say that I have agreed to read for the next Asham Award. What a lovely thing to be asked to do.

Maggie Gee's Book Launch

Maggie (seated) and left to right Marian Garvey, Sarah Butler, Adam Marek


Highlight of the week, a party at Al Saqi bookshop in Westbourne Grove to celebrate the launch of Maggie Gee's new novel, My Driver.
Lovely to spend the afternoon with Marian Garvey (winner, the last Asham Award for new Woman Writers, and now working on a bigger project with funding from the Arts Council, mentored by Maggie. Lucky lady.)
Lovely to see Sarah Butler at the party. I reckon this lady will hit the big time some day. You just know when you read someone special...
Lovely too to meet Adam Marek again. And to skive off to a nearby noodle bar together after the party started winding down, to natter writerly things and plan stuff.


Quick plugs:
Marian's winning story leads the field in this great Asham anthology:
and Adam's collection, An Instruction Manual for Swallowing, has to rank among the best single-author collections I've read. Original, quirky, beautifully written.