Monthly Archives:

one of the 95% … (and the end of the edinburgh book festival)

Five things I learnt from interviewing ten authors at the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2012: 1. Writers come in all and shapes and sizes and from all backgrounds. 2. Some writers hated school, some loved school. 3. Some writers needed … Continue reading

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why you will fail to have a great career…

I found this via the Clear-Minded Creative’s website  … “A must watch TEDx talk for Clear-Minded Creatives from Larry Smith on the excuses we come up with NOT to do something great with our lives. Amusing, inspiring and thought-provoking. The … Continue reading

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book spine poetry or book spine stories? (and a picture of the rain!)

There’s a great website called Brain Pickings. It’s full of useful information about writing and creativity.  This is where I found out about Book Spine Poetry, which is about piling a bunch of books together in a certain order so … Continue reading

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Pat Barker and the glorious dead – my last EIBF interview (really! and no swearing, not this time)

On Sunday I went to my last Edinburgh International Book Festival event, which  was chaired by Allan Little,  war/special  correspondent for the BBC. He talked to Pat Barker.  Pat Barker’s most well known books to me are The Regeneration Trilogy: … Continue reading

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Meeting Joe Stretch (oops, and a little bit more swearing!)

I met Joe Stretch on Saturday evening before his event at The Edinburgh International Book Festival. It was great to be able to catch him for five minutes and have a quick chat. Laurence Phelan of the Independent said of … Continue reading

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Stand up Christopher Brookmyre! (Warning this blog post contains swearing!)

Even though Christopher Brookmyre was really busy, he managed to find time to give me a ring the other day and let me interview him. He was so easy to talk to and such a nice man, it seems quite … Continue reading

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Mark Billingham is in the tent! (Warning this blog post also contains swearing!)

I interviewed Mark Billingham yesterday at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. He’s another good guy –I use ‘guy’ in the female/male sense. I’d already been to his book festival event on Friday evening, which he shared with Christopher Brookmyre (see here for my … Continue reading

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Interview with the Mons Kallentoft:

I met Mons Kallentoft yesterday at the Edinburgh International Book festival (EIBF) before his event with Alex Gray. I have to thank him for his time. He was so gracious and such an interesting person (and what a dresser!). Okay, … Continue reading

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An interview with bloody Alex Gray!

Alex Gray has written eight crime novels, her latest being A Pound of Flesh.  I chatted to Alex yesterday during the day before her event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in the evening. I want to thank Alex, again, for her … Continue reading

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and now for something completely different: Anuerin(Nye)Wright, graphic novelist extraordinaire

Yesterday I was back between the “yurts” at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) to chat with Anuerin Wright. What an interesting person! A big thanks to you, Nye, for giving me your time and for such an informative and entertaining … Continue reading

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