literature

Book Reviews: January 2020

We've rounded up a couple of books to get you through this massive Monday morning of month. Or not.

Snap Notts: Hopkinson's Art Centre

11 January 20

Every month we pair up a local poet and photographer and give them a location in Nottingham to create work around. This month, it's everyone's favourite surprise-packed antique shop...

3 Books to Check Out this Christmas

20 December 19

We took a look at three books that would make perfect stocking-stuffers for the readers in your life...

Nottingham City of Literature are Running a Creative Writing Competition for Writers Aged 10-25

09 December 19

Are you a youngster in our city who has gifted gears whirring away? We have a corking competition for you… 

Author Lise Gold on Her New Novel and Living as a LGBT Woman in Britain

19 November 19

When we hear the word innovation, we often think of scientific breakthroughs. But innovation isn’t always technological advancements – it can also be taking creative risks, making new forms of poetry, art or writing. Nottingham has seen an increase in LGBT+ writing and creative events in the past year, so we sat down with lesbian fiction writer Lise Gold to discuss her work...

Bold Strokes Book Festival Co-Founder on the Importance of LGBTQ+ Literary Representation

19 November 19

Author, development editor and one half of the writing-consultancy collective Global Wordsmiths, Victoria Villasenor, discusses her work...

Author Kristina Adams: "If you're not willing to market your book, you're not going to get anywhere."

31 October 19

Local author Kristina Adams on her latest novel Behind the Spotlight, self-publishing, and what it’s like to deal with fibromyalgia as a writer…

The Confession author Jessie Burton in Conversation at Waterstones

16 October 19

Miniaturist author Jessie Burton was at Waterstones in Nottingham to talk about her new book, The Confession

Review: Patience Agbabi at Inspire Poetry Festival

04 October 19

We got down to Southwell Library to catch revered poet Patience Agbabi, as part of Inspire Poetry Festival...

Review: Nafeesa Hamid and Colette Bryce at Inspire Poetry Festival

04 October 19

We caught performances by poets Nafeesa Hamid and Colette Bryce as part of Inspire Poetry Festival...

Live Event Review: Dr Frances Ryan on Crippled: Austerity and the Demonization of Disabled People

18 June 19

Noted Guardian journalist and Nottinghamian, Dr Frances Ryan, headed to Waterstones for the launch of her first full-length literary work...

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Are Launching the Big City Reads 2019 Campaign

07 June 19

Nothing can quite beat the feeling of strolling through the Forest Rec in the middle of the summer, armed with a good read and a cold one, plopping yourself down under some glorious shade and knowing that everything’s right in the world. And, this year, you won’t need to look far to find your summer reads…

Poet Andrew McMillan on Gearing Up for His Nottingham Poetry Festival Performance

01 May 19

Georgina Wilding spoke to Andrew McMillan ahead of his Metronome show as a part of Nottingham Poetry Festival on Wednesday 1 May...

Masked Booksellers ExLibris Return to Raise Money for Charity

25 April 19

Imagine turning up at your neighbor’s house, expecting little more than a cup of sugar and a natter about the local goss, only to find that it has been turned into a pop-up book store. That is exactly what the neighbours of Bob and Chris Cann can expect this weekend on their quiet suburban street in Carlton. Presenting: The Masked Charity Booksale. 

Clare Stevens Launches Blue Tide Rising at Waterstones Nottingham

04 April 19

Sunday 31 March saw Waterstones hold an inspirational day of talks, poetry and music, as well as an interview with local writer Clare Stevens, as part of the launch for her debut novel Blue Tide Rising…

Late of the Pier talk Ecstatic Data Sets

05 February 19

They were one of the hottest bands of the noughties, releasing their debut album Fantasy Black Channel to mass critical acclaim. Then they completely vanished, leaving a trail of #BringBackLateOfThePier tweets and campaigns in their wake. A decade on, those rogues from Castle Donnington have come back with a book on Rough Trade's new imprint exploring music of the future....

A Stroke of Ingenious: Chatting Fear and Fantasy with Darius Hinks

05 February 19

Nottingham-native Darius Hinks has been filling the minds of Warhammer enthusiasts for years with his fascinating narratives from the Warhammer 40,000 series. Hinks’ latest novel The Ingenious, however, diverges from the world of Warhammer, focusing instead on the fictional world of Athanor and its gang of rebellious outlaws. With The Ingenious set to hit stores today, we decided to have a chat with Hinks about the novel, his characters and the inspirations he has taken from the city.

The Story of Peter Pan Author J.M Barrie

24 December 18

His writing is world-renowned, his creations unforgettable. But there are some things about author and playwright J.M. Barrie that are not so well documented, including his brief stint as staff writer at a Nottingham newspaper. We take a deep dive into this strange, implacable man, his time in Nottingham, and the unsavoury rumours that surround him...

4 Books From Notts Authors to Read This Christmas Holiday

09 December 18

There’s no time like Crimbo to get stuck into the printed pages of a new novel or poetry collection. The turkey’s roasting, the fire’s crackling and the wine’s mulling, giving you plenty of time to curl up in your stretchy trousers and prepare yourself for a feast of literary goodness…

Framework, Forest, Rain and Feet: A Poem for Nottingham's Homeless Community

23 November 18

With the new charity partnership between Nottingham Forest FC and Framework Housing Association, Nottingham's High Sheriff Nick Ebbs commissioned LeftLion Editor Bridie Squires to write a poem about the relationship, and how it might help our city's homeless community going forward...

Notts Poet and Austerity Opposer Lytisha Tunbridge Tells Her Story

23 October 18

Lytisha Tunbridge won the Expanding Horizons Award 2018 at Nottingham Writers’ Studio, for her work supporting World Jam, DIY Poets, Poetry Aloud, Poets Against Racism, Social Model Writers, Sisterhood and Solidarity, Support the NHS, Young Voices, Reading with Dementia, and We Shall Overcome. Somehow she managed to find the time to share some words with us, and tell us her story...

Fantastique! La Jolie Ronde Languages for Children Rake in Fifth Award at What's On 4 Kids 2018

17 October 18

Bingham's own La Jolie Ronde has successfully nailed their fifth consecutive year at the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2018, nabbing themselves a tidy Best National Licensed Activity for 5-12 Year Olds! 

Nottingham Comic Con Mastermind Kevin Brett on the UK Scene

15 October 18

Kev Brett is the mastermind behind Nottingham Comic Convention, and the artist behind Piddley Pix and The Monkey and the Mouse, to name a couple. Ahead of his fifth consecutive Comicon which, according to his book The Making of a Comic Con, should have given him roughly five heart-attacks by now, Kev answered a few questions for LeftLion…

Henry Normal's Nature V Human Nature at Nottingham Lakeside Arts with Pete Ramskill and Milla Tebbs

10 October 18

Chris Davis headed down to Nottingham Lakeside Arts to check out Henry Normal’s Nature V Human Nature…

Women in Music: London In Stereo Editor Jess Partridge Talks Gender Equality in the Industry

10 October 18

From establishing her own music magazine to managing an international PRS Foundation initiative, Jess Partridge has forged a successful and multi-faceted career in the music industry, and is a firm believer in going your own way. This evening she will be part of the panel at DHP’s Women in Music event at Rescue Rooms, the second in a series of events in Nottingham aiming to unpick gender imbalance in the music industry...
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