My scientist thinks they will. I say my scientist, because all of us writers attending the artificial life conference in Sicily got one. Mine was Professor Susan Stepney, a computer scientist at the University of York, and she's working on an incredible project to grow buildings from seed. Yes, buildings (that we live and work in), grown from … [Read more...]
My Edinburgh Book Festival experience in seven souvenirs
I just got back from three days at the Edinburgh International Book Festival where I was talking about The Stone Thrower at an event with Rodge Glass. It was my first time there and I was overwhelmed by the size of it. The EIBF camp on Charlotte Square is a mini-village with a market square in the middle filled with deckchairs bearing quotes by … [Read more...]
A week tutoring at Arvon Totleigh Barton
I've just got back from a brilliant week tutoring a short story course and stuffing my face with Tania Hershman at Arvon's Totleigh Barton centre in Devon. What a treat! Here's my report, in bullet points: Monday • Totleigh Barton is REMOTE. It's an hour's drive from the nearest train station - Exeter St David's. When I arrive, my phone … [Read more...]
Small Wonder 2012: the food and drink highlights
I just got back from the Small Wonder festival where I launched The Stone Thrower. I also stuffed my face all weekend. Here are a few of my highlights: ***WARNING: CONTAINS SHAMELESS NAME-DROPPING*** Eating date flapjack while discussing swearing with Roshi Fernando, DW Wilson and Elanor Dymott – a discussion that Roshi ended by setting a … [Read more...]
What a Sunday roast can teach you about editing
Right now, I’m doing a final edit of my new story collection and am spotting faults. They’re not spelling mistakes or character names that change half way through the story, which would be bad, because some of these stories have already been published in magazines and anthologies. They’re not really mistakes, but little bumps in the road that … [Read more...]