The Literary Sofa
Book Review
Guest Author – Catherine McNamara on Writing about Sex and Desire
Back to my Summer Reads and I’m declaring this week’s post a Special Edition, partly because it’s a change from the normal format but mostly because I am so thrilled to be hosting the talented and lovely Catherine McNamara, whose second solo short story collection The Cartography of Others was recently crowdfunded by many and … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Clare Atkins on Darwin, Australia
It’s always exciting when a guest post hits my inbox. The writers are here because I love their work, and the pieces invariably give a telling and enticing flavour of the writing and the book. How they choose to go about that is entirely their call; although the Writers on Location posts often do inspire … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Kerry Hadley-Pryce on the Black Country
A record number of Summer Reads authors are joining me on the Sofa this year and most are welcome additions to the popular Writers on Location series. This is especially true of today’s guest Kerry Hadley-Pryce, whose second novel Gamble is set in the Black Country, a part of the UK I have not encountered … Continue reading
Guest Author – Emily Critchley on Writing a crossover novel
After a wonderful reception for last week’s piece on the Veneto by Elise Valmorbida, I’m delighted to welcome Emily Critchley, the second author from my Summer Reads 2018 line-up, to discuss a subject of particular interest to me and I’m sure to many of you. Over the years I have enjoyed and featured many novels … Continue reading
Summer Reads 2018
I’m delighted to be bringing you my Summer Reads 2018. I’ve been hard to impress recently but the outcome is a selection of compelling and powerful titles which I really loved and for each one I tell you why! As always, there is a wide variety of settings – Italy [1], Australia [4], Chicago/Paris [8], … Continue reading
Guest Author – Louise Walters on Writing in a young person’s voice
This week is a first and a third! I’m really delighted to welcome Louise Walters as the first author ever to appear on the Literary Sofa three times (links to her previous posts are included below). Louise has been a loyal supporter of the blog since it started over six years ago, we have got … Continue reading
Guest Author – Michael Dean on Fictionalising the Life of a Famous Artist
As readers most of us have fictional themes or settings we especially enjoy. The art world is undoubtedly one of mine, just as visiting exhibitions and galleries is one of my favourite pastimes, both here in London and on my travels. Often I find the stories behind the works and the lives of the artists … Continue reading
Book Review – A Secret Sisterhood by Emily Midorikawa and Emma Claire Sweeney
Last year this book caught my eye for several reasons, not least the beautiful cover which also graces the new paperback edition I finally got around to reading. A Secret Sisterhood by Emily Midorikawa and Emma Claire Sweeney uncovers the ‘hidden friendships’ between Jane Austen and family governess Anne Sharp; Charlotte Brontë and former schoolfriend … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Alicia Drake on Paris as a longterm ex-pat
Hosting today’s guest author and featuring her debut novel, another of my Spring Sofa Spotlight titles, feels like a special occasion and not only because until now I’m the only one who’s written about Paris here. That was destined to change the moment Alicia Drake stood up to read from I love you too much … Continue reading
Guest Author – Claire Dyer on Research and Imagination
Last week’s Spring Sofa Spotlight met with great enthusiasm and lots of my favourite feedback: that people discovered books they may not otherwise have heard of and can’t wait to read. Thank you for the appreciation and for helping to spread the word – I wouldn’t still be running this blog if I didn’t believe … Continue reading
My Novel – Now out in paperback
