Guest post – The Value of Critique Groups and Writing Groups

This post is by Jackie Rod, author of Georgia, Stories on my Mind. Why do writers need to join critique or writing groups? The answer is simple. Some writers are natural-born writers; however, most of us need a lot of help. Critique partners help you learn and grow. They ponder over your manuscript for character

Miranda Popkey – Topics of Conversation

It may only be fragments of conversation, but nothing is off limits in Miranda Popkey’s first novel Topics of Conversation. Desire, motherhood, loneliness, relationships, pain and art are all explored in this short but potent book. Literary in style, it evokes the writings of Rachel Cusk and Sally Rooney, but has a strong voice and

Something to Live For – Richard Roper

A mistake during a job interview caused Andrew, whose job it is to inspect houses after a death, to fabricate an entire family. Like many mishaps, a small white lie grows into something bigger that takes over and gets in the way of him getting on with his life. It’s only when Penny arrives on

The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts

I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to reading chick lit, squirming even as I say the phrase. But Sophia Money-Coutts’ debut novel The Plus One was getting great reviews from all over, so I thought I’d see what the fuss is about. The tale follows Polly, a 32 year old journalist working

After The Party by Cressida Connelly

The female experience of Fascism isn’t one we’re used to reading about. And particularly not in a way that whilst not painting the political philosophy in a sympathetic light exactly, does explore how a young mother could become swept up in it all. In Cressida Connelly’s After The Party, it’s 1979, and Phyllis Forrester takes