Founder and editor of Arachne Press, Cherry Potts, talks about the perks of publishing anthologies, Brexit, why you shouldn’t expect an ad campaign on the London subway, to Insta or not to Insta, editing, and lots more including a special, bonus cake recipe!
A review of White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad
Hamad spoke with more than two dozen women from across the Western world and found she was not alone in her experiences. In her book she manages to contextualise how these imbalances in tone-perception came about. She lays bare the results of colonialism.
A review of The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Ethical marketing all about relationships, giving people work they will get value from, and working within carefully obtained permissions. It’s about creating a brand that people will continue to trust, so you’re not just selling one book, but yourself as a person. This kind of work builds on itself and each thing that you do increases the overall messages you’re putting out, creating a cumulative effect.
Interview with Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series for writers, was an instructor for UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program for nearly a decade, and was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by members of the California Legislature and Women Who Make Life Happen, by the Pasadena Weekly newspaper. She drops by to talk about her recently re-released book The Frugal Book Promoter as well as the other books in the series, her career trajectory, some key ingredients new writers need to succeed, and lots more.
A review of The Clean Body: A Modern History by Peter Ward
The book is full of interesting nuggets of information; for instance, in 1814, the British Parliament banned nude bathing in the Thames. It includes thirteen illustrations, ranging from a late eighteenth century engraving showing members of a family picking lice out of each other’s hair, to a 1920s German advertisement for Persil detergent.
A review of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The book is fast paced, consistently engaging, and is often very funny. It comes across as light and easy, but amidst the intriguing mix of Vivian’s self-deprecation and self-aggrandisement there are serious themes in the book. The key one is the relationship between female desire and male aggression. The book subtly but powerful explores the way in which women are both diminished by the men around them and the ways in which they retain and reclaim power.
An interview with Marc Graham
The author of Son of the Sea, Daughter of the Sun and Runes for Writers talks about his new books, his research, the system used, on the transition from fiction to nonfiction, advice for new writers, and more.
A review of The Frights of Fiji By Sunayna Prasad
This is a well-crafted coming of age fantasy story for teenagers and young adults. It is a quick-paced story that will capture the reader’s attention and not let go until the last page has been read.
A review of Love is a Rebellious Bird by Elayne Klasson
Why do we chose those who don’t love us back with the same intensity? Why can we not love those who are best for us? These are the central questions of Love is a Rebellious Bird. The author drops a few hints as to why Judith persists in this unequal love.
An interview with C.B. Anderson
The author of Roots in the Sky, Boots on the Ground: Metaphysical Poems talks about her new book and its origins, on writing metaphysical poetry and its subjects and lots more.