It’s a birthday!
That was my awkward way of making it clear it isn’t mine, but I think I just ended up sounding like a Super Mario cake.
Anyway, yes, it’s a birthday; namely, that of my youngest book, A GOOD YEAR. This is the one I thought would never make it out into the world, what with it being a.) a novella and b.) quite niche.
But not only is it out, it’s also had a fantastic first year. From readings at the Cyprus High Commission to great reviews in Mechanics Institute Review, The Publishing Post and the Historical Novel Society to being featured in the Heartstopper edition of Attitude Magazine (a real ‘pinch-me’ moment) and being picked for friends’ and strangers’ book clubs, it’s not only been better received than I anticipated, but also more visible. May it have a joyous, full life ahead of it still.
Speaking of visibility… [SEAMLESS SEGUE]
I am very pleased, excited, nervous to have received a Develop Your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England (which means I get to use the fancy logo I’ve long admired on other people’s posters), to help me smoothly combine and, well, develop, my various skills for an exciting new performance piece: I WAS A TEENAGE BISEXUAL is my love letter to B horror movies and dark folklore, exploring growing up as a bisexual man. I’ll tell you more about that soon, but it will be making an appearance at this summer’s Buxton Fringe, thanks to a free slot I was awarded for…
Another exciting and nerve-wracking bit of news: my award-winning retelling of the classic English folktale is making its way to Scotland. Mr Fox will be at Venue 29: Paradise in The Vault from 5th to 12th August as part of Edinburgh Fringe. Tickets available here.
More on that soon, too. Wrapping this up now, as I’ve just landed in London for an exciting photoshoot…
Happy Bookday to you! That's great news indeed. I hope that great reviews will sooner or later translate into great sales... Best to you and your husband. Jean-Christophe