Earlier this year, I got to spend a night in a sleep lab at Manchester University for a new story commission. It was for Spindles: Stories from the Science of Sleep - the latest in Comma Press's series of science-inspired fiction. When I first found out I'd get to have electrodes glued to my head and be part of an experiment, I was so excited, but … [Read more...]
Archives for 2015
The Penguin Book of the British Short Story
I'm so thrilled that my story The 40-Litre Monkey has been included in The Penguin Book of the British Short Story. Editor Philip Hensher read over 6,000 short stories, going all the way back to Daniel Defoe, to make his selection for this incredibly handsome two-volume collection of British short stories. I can't quite believe that my story is … [Read more...]
Tessa Farmer – In Fairy Land exhibition
Tessa Farmer's In Fairy Land exhibition at the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities deeply satisfies the part of me that has always wanted to see a Bacchanalian fairy feast on the back of a giant spider crab. When you first walk into the exhibition, it's kind of hard to spot. It's hidden amongst the hundreds of oddities (from a stuffed mermaid to … [Read more...]
The Beijing Bookworm Festival in bullet points
I just got back from the most amazing trip to the Beijing Bookworm Festival. Thanks so much to the Bookworm and to the British Council for taking me over there, along with awesome short story writers Zoe Gilbert and Rachel Tresize. What a treat. Here's my report of the week's highlights, in bullet points. Meet Zoe and Rachel at Heathrow. Mutual … [Read more...]
Is my son talking to the dead?
My 10-year-old son came home from school today with this Ouija board. He made it himself during lunch break. My thought process went something like this: • That's so cool! I'm so proud! My kid's an original! • Love that his Ouija board has a space bar, some basic punctuation and a back button #ipadgenerationouija • Flashback to my own … [Read more...]