Linda Lee Welch was born and raised in the USA. She moved to the UK in 1976 and has worked as a musician, writer, community artist and teacher. She has two novels published by Virago and is also a prize-winning poet. She taught Creative Writing at Sheffield Hallam University for sixteen years, after completing the MA herself. Now retired from teaching, she is focusing on her writing, and collaborating with other writers, musicians and artists, including her husband Michael Harding. Continue reading
Month: January 2017
Poetry Review – The Other Tiger: Recent Poetry from Latin America
It is strange to hear someone reading a poem in another language (a language which you don’t understand at all) and then to hear that same poem read again in your own language. There is a sense of building anticipation, as you hear the emotion behind the words, with particular intonations that seem to stand out… Yet the meaning must come later, inevitably with a sense of both satisfaction and loss, as no translation will ever convey the strength of the original… Continue reading
An Interview with Kate Hamer
Kate Hamer’s debut thriller The Girl in the Red Coat was published in February 2015 and soon became a Sunday Times bestseller. It was shortlisted for numerous awards and has been translated into seventeen languages. I recently met up with her to talk about her second novel, The Doll Funeral (due to be published on 16th February) and the third one, which she is in the process of writing. We began by discussing her inspiration for the books… Continue reading
Looking forward to the Verve Poetry Festival: An Interview with Cynthia Miller
The first ever Verve Poetry Festival takes place next month in Birmingham (16th-19th February). It’s set to be an exciting weekend, with a strong emphasis on spoken word performance, as well as the usual poetry readings and creative writing workshops. I interviewed Cynthia Miller (Co-Director of the Festival and a poet herself) to find out more. She began by explaining how it all started… Continue reading
Book Review: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
I thought about reading something by the famous Elena Ferrante a few months ago, looked up her books online and was surprised by rather quaint, odd-looking covers and mediocre titles. But the obsession in the media with Ferrante’s true identity did its work, and curiosity eventually won. My Brilliant Friend (the first of her ‘Neopolitan Novels’) captured my attention immediately (once I’d got past the hideous cover and lengthy character index) with a missing mother and a tale of lifelong friendship. Continue reading
Looking Forward to Literature Festivals in Wales – 2017
Wales is home to one of the most famous literature festivals in the world (The Hay Festival), but it is also full of other, quirkier literary festivals, in all shapes and sizes. So, to help you plan ahead, I’ve compiled a list of all the literary / book festivals taking place in Wales during 2017. I’m sure there will be other festivals that I haven’t come across, so please use the comments below to add information about anything I’ve missed out… Some of the later festivals haven’t confirmed their details yet, so I’ll continue to update this post throughout the year. Continue reading
Topsy-Turvy Twelfth Night Celebrations
In the tradition of Twelfth Night, the Lord (or Lady) of Misrule presides over games and festivities where, for one night only, the world is turned upside down. Amanda Rackstraw, in the guise of Befana (the Italian ‘Christmas Witch’ who brings gifts) organised this unique spoken word / musical / storytelling event, in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières, as a fabulous, topsy-turvy finale to the Christmas season… Continue reading
Regular Creative Writing Workshops & Groups in Cardiff
If you live in Cardiff and you like creative writing, whether it’s poetry or prose, then you’re in the right place – there are plenty of regular writing groups, workshops and activities on offer, to suit a range of interests. NB. This post has not been updated since Covid. Please check details of workshops as some of them will have changed. See below for a list of everything creative writing in Cardiff… Continue reading
Regular Literary, Creative Writing and Performance Poetry Events in Cardiff
I’ve pulled together a list of all the regular literary events, spoken word gatherings, book launches and poetry performances which take place in Cardiff throughout the year. NB. This post has not been updated since Covid – Some of these events change venues or dates on occasion, so please check their websites or pages for more details. If I’ve missed any out please let me know, or add your own events via the comments below… Continue reading
Upcoming Literary Festivals & Events
It’s been nearly a year since I first decided to create a book blog (on 23rd January 2016), and what a year it’s been! I’ve read and reviewed some thrilling and beautiful books, interviewed some interesting writers, discovered some thought-provoking poetry and attended some fabulous festivals… Continue reading
Book Review: The Doll Funeral by Kate Hamer
I loved the main character in this book. Ruby is different. She has a bright red birthmark around her left eye, and she can see things that other people can’t, like Shadow (the boy who mysteriously appears out of nowhere) and the Wasp Lady (who swoops at her as she walks up the stairs). At the age of 13 she is delighted to discover that she was adopted as a baby, and decides to track down her real parents, who will surely come to rescue her from Mick (who likes to use his fists) and Barbara (who lets him). Continue reading