Magic in Morecambe Bay – Jenn Ashworth

 

Jenn Ashworth is publishing her fourth novel, a Magic Realism inspired piece called Fell and I couldn’t be happier because that meant I had the chance to interview her! I have loved Jenn’s writing since always. She ventures to places people normally prefer to ignore, and she talks about characters that society condemns. And she’s dark, and funny, and engaging. And her female characters are always exquisite and realist – and I take my hat to that, because it’s not the norm, either.

What can I tell you so you go and buy Fell? Well, it’s not an easy reading. The story is dark, and full of desolation. But in life, there is not always happiness and daffodils, and we need that other dark half, too. 

Illness, death, resurrection, magic and sycamores…. Fell has all that and a beautiful cover. And it’s set in Morecambe bay, which means that if you want to visit the original place of the novel you can always come, say hi and I’ll show you around!

Finally,  Jenn Ashworth is not only a writer who will pull you into any of her stories but also a very inspiring artist. Since I know her – and also got the privilege of doing my PhD with her – I have been marvelled at how passionate she’s about the craft but how seriously she takes it too. In a world where many people think writing is just a side hobby or a privilege job for a few chosen ones, Jenn proves that is possible to live on it – while being an extraordinarily prolific writer, a enthusiastic professor and having always the time to be launching exciting writing projects such as Curious Tales!

 

 

What can you find in this interview?

– Writing habits.

-Writing genre and realistic fiction.

-Publishing and promoting your work.

-Writing about Lancashire and the North.

 

 

Texts Read:

– Fell (Novel).

 

Do you want to know more about Jenn Ashworth?

-Check out her website.

-Check out her twitter.

-Check out her own publishing house that she launched along with other writers, Curious Tales! (They publish the most beautiful and unsettling ghost stories, perfect to give as a Christmas gift for very special people.)

 

Many thanks to our meticulous editor, Terry Garanhel, and the founder of the programme, Yvonne Battle-Felton. And, of course, to Jenn Ashworth. She was our Creative Writing tutor when we – Teresa and me – were doing the MA at Lancaster University and she inspired us a lot. We are always waiting for your new books and hope you bring us many more!

 

 

Writer and Performer: Elizabeth Hare

‘I always had this gift of being able to read well aloud, and one of the things I really enjoy is the oportunity to do open mic… it’s usually worth it.’

Elizabeth Hare was born in the South of England but has been living in Lancashire since 1980. She has done drama, teaching Creative Writing for the Open University, performing poetry… and even Sci-Fi books for children, the project she’s currently working on.

Elizabeth is a passionate person who encourages any aspiring writer to get out and share their work. She’s part of the Brewery Poets in Kendal and the writers’ group from Lancaster. ‘Even if you don’t write too much, you have preassure on you to do something for the group… you preassure yourself.’  Her webpage is always full of useful tips and interesting information about literature.

What can you find in this interview?

-Studying and teaching drama.

-Teaching CW for the Open University.

-Publishing poetry.

-Performing poetry and doing literary readings.

 

Poems read in this interview:

–1962

–Visiting The British Museum

–You Can Do Shakespeare with These Kids

 

Do you want to know more about Elizabeth Hare?

-Check out her webpage.

-Check out her publications.

 

Many thanks to our meticulous editor, Terry Garanhel and to the founder and sponsor of the programme, Yvonne Battle-Felton. And, of course, to Elizabeth Hare, who has share with us all her expertise and valuable tips! We are looking to read your sci-fi novel soon!

Getting Into The Writer’s Head: Natasha Robson

‘Editing involves trying to get into the head of the writer and bringing out the best of what’s already there.’

Natasha Robson is an assistant editor at Holland House Books, an indie publishing house – like Sam Jordison‘s Galley Beggar Press. She has contributed to the Novella Project from the very beginning – a project which gives unknown authors that come from very different backgrounds the possibility of publishing  exciting fiction for the very first time.*

Natasha is doing an MA in Literature in the University of Reading. That and her love of teaching made her took the path of editing, and she couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it – helping authors to tell the stories they want.

Also, like the writer Sarah Jasmon, she’s living a boat, and we wonder, is there something linked between living on water and creativity? Who knows…

If you want to know more about the Novella Project please check out their page, they are doing something wonderful, daring and unique!

What can you find in this interview?

-Working as an editor.

-Information about indie publishing houses such as Holland House Books.

-The editing process.

-Publishing projects.

 

 

Many thanks to our meticulous editor, Terry Garanhel and to the founder and sponsor of the programme, Yvonne Battle-Felton. And, of course, to Natasha Robson, who is a truly thoughtful editor! We wish you the best in this adventure, we’re sure you’ll keep editing great books!

 

*And I have the pleasure to say I am among these authors! My gothic horror novella McTavish Manor will be ouy in October 2016.

 

The multifaced writer – Jerry White

‘I’m one of these sick people who likes to get up at 4.30 to write.’

Jerry White started watching his panda wallpaper and imagining stories when he was a child… Now he’s a successful writer who has just finished his first collection of dark fantasy YA novels – The Thickety – but he also teaches in school and has a filming company… There’s always time for your passions – specially if you wake up as 4.30 like Jerry!

What can you find in this interview?

-How to publish your first novel.

-How to contact an agent.

-Experiences doing book launches at bookshops and libraries.

-Balancing writing with your daily job and other hobbies.

-Waking up early to write.

 

Texts Read:

– The Thickety: A Path Begins (YA novel).

 

Do you want to know more about Jerry White?

-Check out his website.

-Check out his twitter.

-Check out his FB page.

-And check the amazing trailer of his first book.

Many thanks to our meticulous editor, Terry Garanhel, and the founder of the programme, Yvonne Battle-Felton. And, of course, to Jerry White, who spent his break at the school making an interview with us. We love The Thickety and we hope you write more successful books!

 

Don’t forget to check our next interview on Sunday 31st of January in 87.7 Bailrigg FM at 6pm with the poet Gary Boswell!

Writing the Weird – Tim J Jarvis

 

‘Getting used to London and becoming a Londoner went hand in hand with my writing,’ Tim Jarvis confesses. He likes to observe the city from Parliament Hill, one of the places he finds more inspiring in the metropolis.

Tim‘s first novel, The Wanderer, belongs to Werid Fiction, a genre that some might have never heard about before. ‘Weird fiction is a secular, post First World War ghost story telling,’ Tim explains, and then he adds ‘it is a paralel pulp form of Modernism.’ He recommends some authors, from H P Lovecraft to Mark Z Danielewski and Caitlín R Kiernan, and finally states, ‘Writing Weird Fiction allows me to articulate what I really want to express.’

Tim didn’t start writing until he was in his final year of undergraduate, and back then he was trying ‘to emulate the strange tales of Borges.’ Now he has completed a PhD, published several short stories and a novel, and teaches Creative Writing at the University of Bedfordshire. He firmly believes that the craft of writingf can be taught: ‘You can inculcate an exploratory way of thinking through teaching Creative Writing.’

What can you find in this interview?

-Weird Fiction, what to read and how to publish it.

-Inspiration from London.

-Teaching Creative Writing.

Texts Read:

– The Wanderer (novel).

Literary recommendations:

–Melmoth The Wanderer, by Charles Maturin.

–The Red Tree, by Caitlín Kiernan.

–House of Leaves, by Mark Danielewski.

–The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pymp, by Edgar Alan Poe.

–The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman, by Angela Carter.

Do you want to know more about Timothy J Jarvis?

-Check out his website.

-Check out his twitter.

Many thanks to our meticulous editor, Terry Garanhel, and the founder of the programme, Yvonne Battle-Felton. And, of course, to Tim J Jarvis, who has been so kind and friendly with us. We loved to interview you and we hope you write many more Weird Fiction novels!

Don’t forget to check our next interview on Sunday 24th of January in 87.7 Bailrigg FM at 6pm with best-selling author J A White!

From CW student to author – Andrew McMillan

‘You’ve to put yourself out in the world and allow things to happen to you so they can become poems.’

A young poet whose debut collection, Physical, has been longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and shortlisted for the 2015 Forward Prize. And he also has a permanent position at Liverpool John Moores University.

As writers, I am sure that more than once you have heard that making a living out of poetry is as easy as catching a unicorn in your backyard. Do you still believe that? Listen to Andrew McMillan and you might change your mind….