So that was 2014

So that was 2014...

Can I remember as far back as January? I lost my diary so I have big blanks.

I was made one of the New Writing South 10 - not as dangerous as I first thought,  I had pictured costumes and super-hero type vigilante activities. It means I will get support and mentorship and stuff for the next year. 

Tickles and BBC Radio 4

Then there was 'Tickles'… you can read all about how I got commissioned by BBC Radio 4 here. The short story aired in March and I was overwhelmed by the experience. I got such an immediate reaction on Facebook & Twitter and when people heard throughout the week on Iplayer there were more reactions. I was blown away by people taking the time to listen and then taking the time to tell me how they felt. I don't often send work out and don't often get feedback from my work either so I really recommend the experience of writing for radio. I got to read Tickles at Word Factory in July alongside the Fiction Uncovered winners Evie Wyld, Naomi Wood and Cynan Jones. I was honoured to be included in such a line up. 

George Saunders

I met George Saunders, one of the best short story writers in the world, in April. I was lucky enough to get to spend the afternoon with him on the day he won the inaugural Folio Prize. He gave me a wonderful interview which you can read here. That night I went to the prize giving and watched him pick up the award. A very special moment.

Radio 5

I was contacted through Twitter by one of the producers of Men's Hour and got to read a short story alongside some wonderful authors including David Nicholls. It was quite intimidating being with authors so successful and at ease with themselves in that environment. I came away a bit more confident that I won't make a complete idiot out of myself while feeling out of my depth. 

Belfast Book Festival

In June I read at Belfast Book Festival alongside Colin Barrett and programmed 2 events. I got to interview Claire Keegan too - one of my favourite short story writers.

London Short Story Festival

Spread the Word hired me to be a guest programmer for their summer season and we decided to use that time to create the  The London Short Story Festival of which I became the Director. I managed to get the beautiful Watertones Piccadilly to host it. There was a Writers Space to chill in, with free workshops  by Vanessa Gebbie, Lisa Blower, Litro and English Pen. There were panel events, workshops, readings, masterclasses… all with short story writers in mind. Highlights were Jackie Kay, AL Kennedy, Helen Simpson, Colin Barrett... I managed to get Claire Keegan to bring her 'How Fiction Works' masterclass to the UK for the first time too. I got Colin Barrett before he won the Frank O'Connor, The Guardian First Book etc to give his first ever workshop. There was Speakers Corner for emerging writers which saw the likes of Kit de Wall and Dannielle McLaughlin read before their big publishing deals for collections and novels and New Yorker stories. Next year is already lining up as something special. Jon McGregor, Kevin Barry flying in from Ireland and Laura van den Berg from the USA. Add Toby Litt, Joe Dunthorne, May-Lan Tan and Marina Warner and a few special people I'm working on. Follow @LSSfest for updates.

International Conference on the Short Story

In July I was invited to read at the International Conference on the Short Story, in Vienna. Thanks to Sylvia Petter. 

A flash of mine 'Dig' was published in their anthology 'Unbraiding the Short Story.' This is a very special piece for me as it was the first I wrote after starting back writing again. I held onto it for a long time before letting it go.

Met some lovely writers there too. I had a lot of fun with Anna Solding, Lucy Dureen, Penelope Beck, Lauren B Davies, Rhoda Greaves, Adnan Mahmutovic … Cate Kennedy and Robert Olen Butler his lovely wife, the poet Kelly Lee Butler, have entered into my heart in a way that people sneak up and do. It's a magical experience reading for authors of this caliber and then to find out they enjoyed your writing really builds your confidence. More magical to laugh with them, feel their warmth and know your life have been enhanced through the experience. 

A special mention here to two people I have come to love and admire. Anne Luttrell and Liadan O'Donovan - lovers of life & literature and a whole bag of fun.

Stinging Fly

A flash fiction of mine was published in the fab Stinging Fly - an Irish journal I subscribe to and love - chosen by guest editor Nuala Ni Chonchuir. They published Kevin Barry, Mary Costello and Colin Barrett's first collections - go and subscribe now.

Cork International Short Story Festival 

I was honoured to read at Cork International Short Story Festival in September. It was part of Word Factory's N Ireland project which is bubbling away and nearly ready to eat. I read alongside two great Northern Irish writers Bernie McGill and Lucy Caldwell. I got to interview and moderate some events too with Jaki McCarrick and Clive Sinclair among others. What an amazing job Patrick Cotter does. I met the lovely Laura van den Berg - I managed to coax over to London Short Story Festival - and John Lavin who I'm working with on an event for Welsh short story writers too. 

I was able to spend lots of time with my new friends Laidan O'Donovan and Ann Luttrell who provided me with a place to stay too.

Australia

I went to Australia mostly to see Cate Kennedy. With her help I secured an interview on Radio RRR in Melbourne and delivered a masterclass for Writers Centre Victoria. It sold out in 25 minutes which knocked me sideways and was a record for the organisation and you can read a Q&A with them here. 

They have asked me to come back next year to do a series of classes. I hope it works out as I had a great time. 

I spent a week with Cate travelling around and I interviewed her for Adnan's 'Two Thirds North' Journal which had previously published my Kevin Barry interview.

The Good Son

And as if I didn't have enough to be grateful for… through the hard work of my agent Carrie Kania I got a deal with Salt Publishing to publish my novel 'The Good Son'. It will be available from 15th April 2015. What a  surreal, magic and scary process it is. Not sure now is the right time to reflect on it but suffice to say I'm over the moon. I hope you like it.

How was your year? I'd love to hear about it.