BackStory: Five Questions with Guy Biederman Author of How Monday was Made What inspired you to write this ‘How Monday was Made’? I grew up with a basset hound so I completely understand why God might want one as a…
How Monday was Made
How Monday was Made Guy Biederman It’s been a rough day. Ice Age in the morning, Vesuvius after lunch, and the loss of God’s favorite trattoria in Pompeii…. God rolls a joint, invents the match, and fires up around 5:00,…
BackStory: Four Questions with Sarah Peploe
BackStory: Four Questions with Sarah Peploe Author of Footsized What inspired you to write ‘Footsized’? I read this article a few years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/21/scan-mummified-body-swedish-bishop-reveals-baby This happened in Sweden, but the comments suggested people were aware of similar practices going on in…
Footsized
Footsized by Sarah Peploe Her breasts hurt with milk, still. They’re heavy. They leak sometimes, dark and obvious through her dress. She is behind with the washing. Her big girl who is nearly seven has been helping, and her sister…
FlashBack Feature: Interview with Nuala O’Connor
FlashBack Feature: Interview with Nuala O’Connor Author of Eleanor’s Last We are absolutely delighted to present our first feature interview, in which historical flash virtuosa Nuala O’Connor talks with us about flash, historical fiction, Eleanor’s Last, and her soon-to-be-released historical novel,…
Eleanor’s Last
Eleanor’s Last by Nuala O’Connor Thrice, after my birthing years were ended, a babe grew under my apron. Thrice I bled them out. ‘Chew birch bark, Eleanor,’ Mother said when I mentioned I was expectant on the first of them.…
BackStory: Five Questions with Sheila Scott
BackStory: Five Questions with Sheila Scott Author of Estelle What inspired you to write ‘Estelle’? The Apollo space flights hold an eternal fascination for me. At the scientist level, the programme demonstrated the incredible capacity of the human mind to…
Estelle
Estelle by Sheila Scott ‘It was on the clipboard at the last check.’ The commander pulled open a small drawer beneath the seats and rifled through its contents, sending odd items drifting into the air around them. A camera swung…
BackStory: Five Questions with Jane Lomas
BackStory: Five Questions with Jane Lomas Author of A Pot of Usefulness What inspired you to write ‘A Pot of Usefulness’? I am currently carrying out research about Scunthorpe (the town where I was born and lived until I was…
A Pot of Usefulness
A Pot of Usefulness by Jane Lomas ‘D’you fancy a cuppa, love?’ Bill calls from the back door. He takes the battered, tannin-patinated pot from the shelf: a leaving present from the lads. He’d worked at the steelworks since he…