Author: A. J. Ashworth

I mentioned previously that I had a new story forthcoming in The Warwick Review. I wasn’t sure then which issue it would be in but I’m happy to say it’s in the June issue. The story is called ‘One Small Thing’ and will be published alongside new work by the likes of fellow Edge Hill Prize shortlistee Rowena Macdonald, John Kinsella, Kirsty Gunn and more. If you’re interested in a subscription to The Warwick Review, details are available here (you can also order individual copies should you want to). It’s a great read so it’s well worth subscribing if you can. My story began with a first line dropping into my head – ‘She was carving dolls for the dead.’ This has happened quite a lot to me in the past and, usually, as soon as I get the line I get the story. That’s not to say that the stories then come easily of course – they never do. Anyway, if you read it I hope you like it.
* Elizabeth Baines has given a very nice mention to the anthology of Brontë stories I’m currently editing and which she features in (Red Room: New Short Stories Inspired by the Brontës) so pop over to her blog to have a read.

I’ve not mentioned this on here before but I’m currently editing an anthology of stories to help raise funds for The Brontë Birthplace Trust. The idea for the book came about after I was added into the Trust’s group on Facebook – they were looking for ways to raise money towards their goal of one day buying the Brontë birthplace in Thornton, Bradford and I suggested a short story collection. There will be more on this in the introduction to the book.
Happily, Unthank Books are going to publish Red Room: New Short Stories Inspired by the Brontës in October/November this year – and it’s going to be a cracking read. It features 12 stories by some of the UK’s best short story writers (all will be revealed in time!) as well as a poem by Simon Armitage. I’ve more or less finished editing now so – fingers crossed – the manuscript will be off to the typesetters soon. I’ll update you more over the next few months.
Watch this space!

Just a quick note to say huge congratulations to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt who has been shortlisted in the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Debz has been shortlisted for her short story ‘Chutney’ alongside other talented writers from around the Commonwealth. I read with Debz at Sarah Dobbs’ book launch in December (see story below) and appear alongside her in the pages of Unthology 3 from Unthank Books – so I’ve got everything crossed for her. The prize is a great one to win – last year’s winner Emma Martin, from New Zealand, is an online writing friend of mine so I was thrilled when she won. Since then, Emma has completed a short story collection, titled ‘Two Girls in a Boat’, and this is set to be published by Victoria University Press in May.

I’ve just been interviewed by the writer Michael Stewart over on his blog here so feel free to go along and have a read of that. It was lovely to chat to him about astronomy, editing and short stories as endings – an idea which sent me to bed with a headache when I tried to get my head around it, but which I (finally) realised I agreed with. You may know Michael as the 2011 winner of The Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize with his debut novel King Crow. He’s also just published a collection of poetry (Couples) with Valley Press and I hear there’s more work forthcoming from him soon, including an afternoon drama on Radio 4 on May 3rd – keep in touch with his blog to stay up-to-date with all things Michael Stewart.

Very happy to say I’ve had a new story accepted for publication by The Warwick Review. ‘One Small Thing’ will be published in a future issue of the journal – I’m not sure which issue yet but I will update this post once I know. It’s nice to be in the WR again as one of the stories from my collection first appeared there a while back and it’s lovely to be making a return visit. The WR is a very attractive publication indeed, so it’s well worth taking out a subscription. The editor Michael Hulse, a poet and translator who is also currently writing a novel, has published a number of writers I admire, including David Rose, Alison Moore, Ron Rash and Nicholas Royle. Subscriptions info is available here.

Sarah Dobbs reading from ‘Killing Daniel’. Below: Sarah, Debz and I.

I had a lovely time reading at the launch for Sarah Dobbs’ novel ‘Killing Daniel’ in Salford earlier this month. I read from my story ‘The Monolith’ which features in Unthology 3 (a collection of stories from Unthank Books which also features a piece by Sarah). Fellow Unthologist Debz Hobbs-Wyatt also read her story ‘The Theory of Circles’. Sarah then read a selection of excerpts from her book – a literary thriller – and kept the audience enchanted throughout. (You can read more about the launch at Sarah’s blog here and Debz’s blog here.) I wish Sarah the best of luck with the novel – go buy a copy and treat yourself to a cracking read.
Continue reading “The Killing… of Daniel”

Sarah Dobbs has invited me along to read at the launch event for her book ‘Killing Daniel’ tonight (Thursday, December 13th) in Salford. Before Sarah reads from her novel, I will be reading from my story ‘The Monolith’, which features in Unthank Books latest anthology Unthology 3 (Sarah also has a story in the collection). Another Unthologist will also be reading at the event – Debz Hobbs-Wyatt with her story ‘A Theory of Circles’. So do come along. The event takes place at the King’s Arms, Salford, from 7.30pm. It would be lovely to see you there.

The intro to the TLS review

My short story collection has been out for a year now – and, yes, it’s flown by. It’s been an interesting year. I’ve taken part in readings at literary festivals, been reviewed in the TLS (see right) and a number of other places, answered interview questions and tried to work on new writing (see my Next Big Thing answers below). And considering the anniversary, it’s rather apt that my book is now available on Kindle (see Salt’s special Christmas offer here for my collection and five other Scott Prize-winning books). So, if you haven’t got hold of a copy – I understand it’s being reprinted at the moment so physical stocks may be difficult to find – and you have a Kindle then you can download it now. Thanks to all those who’ve bought, read, reviewed and/or spoken to me about my book over the past 12 months – it’s really nice to know you have, in the main, enjoyed it. Here’s to whatever the next year brings!

I’ve been tagged by Elizabeth Baines in a blog meme called The Next Big Thing. Read Elizabeth’s post on this over at her excellent blog. I have to confess I’ve no idea what a meme is (and I’m happy to remain ignorant) but I’m very pleased to take part anyway! I therefore have to answer a series of questions on a recent or forthcoming book. I don’t really like talking about current writing but, rather than chicken out and answer questions about the short story collection, I’m going to be brave – but very vague – and talk about my novel. Here are my answers:
Continue reading “Next big thing”

Here’s a new interview with me by Roelof Bakker, the founder of the press which recently ran the Negative Press London/Foyles Short Story Competition. My story ‘Piano’ won the competition and appears on the press’s website here, so feel free to have a read of that if you haven’t already. As well as running the press, Roelof is an artist-photographer so why not check out his own website here too? I really enjoyed having a look around at Roelof’s work, in particular the ‘Snow’ video.