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Green Light in the City

literature

The Oral History Report Captures the Living Memories Behind the Promenade, Home to Nottingham’s Most Colourful Houses

First classed as listed buildings in the eighties, the Promenade is home to some of Nottingham’s oldest and most colourful houses....

Words for Wellbeing Coach Samantha Gray on Her Work With Nottingham Writers’ Studio and Why You Should Get a Journal

03 November 21

Writing can be a transformative experience. For this month’s Wellness Section, we chat with Words for Wellbeing coach Samantha Gray about therapeutic writing, her work with Nottingham Writers’ Studio, and why you should get a journal…

The Nottingham Horror Collective: Meet the Spookiest New Zine in Town

29 October 21

Formed by three friends with a love for all things spooky, The Nottingham Horror Collective is Nottingham’s new horror magazine, full of content to send shivers down your spine. We chat to creators Ruth, Emily and Bren about tarot cards, contemporary horror films and plans for Halloween…

The Best of Robin Hood on Screen and in Literature

24 September 21

With the green hat, archer’s bow, and occasionally a goatee, Robin Hood is a true icon of Nottingham. Our home-grown legend has been featured in thousands of different stories around the globe since his conception hundreds of years ago – here are some of the most notable examples of his pop culture presence..

The Best Places in Nottingham for Fans of Reading, Writing and Poetry

19 September 21

If words are your thing, our city is the place to be. Back in 2015, Nottingham was given permanent status as a UNESCO City of Literature, on account of our literary heritage, as well as our commitment to encouraging emerging writers.

Notts Author and Teaching Assistant Roza Bazrafshan Discusses Her Children's Book Big Squeeze Little Squeeze

19 September 21

Roza Bazrafshan is combining her biggest passions, writing and teaching, to share an important message. Having recently released a unique children’s book, the teaching assistant discusses what it's like to inspire the next generation of budding writers…

5 Novels to Read on Campus this Summer

09 September 21

You new students are going to have your noses firmly stuck into all manner of textbooks in the coming months, but don't forget to make time for pleasure reading, too. With that in mind, our new Literature Editor offers five must-read novels to get your mits on this summer...

Preview: Middleway Words Book Festival

05 September 21

Churning out authors like Alan Sillitoe and D.H. Lawrence, the Midlands has a long history with literature. It’s therefore unsurprising (but still exciting) that we have a Midlands book festival to look forward to this September. 

Comic Book Artist Rich Perotta Discusses His Time at Marvel and New Project the Incantesi

26 August 21

Rich Perotta was living out his childhood dreams as an artist for Marvel and DC – but now he’s decided it’s time to go solo. We speak to the Nottingham-based creator about his experiences in the comics industry and how not even cancer could stop him from launching his most personal project yet...

John Holmes MBE on His Autobiography, BBC Legacy and Career Highlights

23 July 21

John Holmes MBE – the voice of Nottingham Radio - has put pen to paper for a cracking autobiography that documents fifty years of shenanigans. He spoke to Hollie Anderson about his BBC legacy, career highlights and the process of writing his own life story…

David Hazan Reveals Inspiration Behind New 'Nottingham' Graphic Novel Series

16 July 21

Mad Cave Studios’ new comic book series Nottingham sees the Castle’s most famous resident, the Sheriff of Nottingham, take on the role of detective as he tries to figure out who is hunting the county’s cold-hearted tax collectors. We speak to David Hazan, writer and creator of the books, about his decision to take the age-old story of Robin Hood in a brave, unconventional direction.

Writer Graham Caveney Reflects on Growing Older

22 April 21

Writer Graham Caveney, author of The Priest They Called Him: The Life and Legacy of William S. Burroughs and Screaming with Joy: The Life of Allen Ginsberg, shares his reflections on the process of growing older...

Follow the Rebel Writers Trail on World Book Day

04 March 21

Can you find all thirteen plaques?

The Loneliness of the Lockdown Runner: Reimagining Sillitoe During Covid

25 February 21

On the event of Sir Tom Courtenay's 84th birthday, Dawn of the Unread's James Walker has re-written The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner in the time of COVID. His take on Alan Sillitoe's classic work, re-titled as The Loneliness of the Lockdown Runner, is being launched on Twitter today at 5pm...

“It Takes Everything That Could be Romantic and Sucks it into a Black Hole Vortex” - Romance Novelist Mhairi McFarlane on Why Valentine’s Day is Overrated

11 February 21

Author Mhairi McFarlane is based in Nottingham, but writes about romance for a worldwide audience. Her debut novel, You Had Me At Hello, has been translated into sixteen languages and is being developed as a major feature film. In the run up to the release of her seventh novel, Last Night, she explains to us why she thinks Valentine’s Day is a tad overrated...

Author Interview: Dylan Wardle

31 January 21

Kate Hewett talks to young author Dylan Wardle about Words of Solitude, his debut fantasy novel...

Author Interview: Nicki Merrall

31 January 21

We catch up with Nicki Merrall to talk lockdown, knitting and her new book, Fair Isle

Author Interview: Chidiebere J Anumudu

31 January 21

Author Chidiebere J Anumudu talks to Literature Editor Kate Hewett about children's book Chuka and The Arusi

Author Interview: Clive Henry - Racism is Real

31 January 21

Kate Hewett talks to author Clive Henry about his book, Racism Is Real...

Book Review: Equilibrium by Tonino Guerra

28 November 20

We checked out the debut release from Notts' newest indie publisher, MOIST...

MOIST: Notts’ Newest Independent Publisher

23 November 20

Sarah Smith tells us about Notts’ newest independent publisher MOIST, and why regional publishing is on the rise...

Book Review: The Beauty Within Shadow by Henry Normal

13 November 20

With a CV that boasts a contribution to British comedy that few can equal, you’d be right to expect more than your fair share of humour from The Beauty Within Shadow, the latest poetry collection from Henry Normal. But if laughs were all you were expecting, you’re in for a welcome surprise...

Book Review: Connections by NTU's MA Creative Writing Students

29 October 20

We check out the anthology put together by Nottingham Trent University's MA Creative Writing students...

12 Stories and Poetry Collections You Should Read During Lockdown

20 June 20

Our Literature Editor runs down some of the books that have kept her busy during these times...

Writer Josh Helmer on His New Self-Published Dystopian Novel, Dark Wonders

19 June 20

With life currently feeling like it’s been torn from the pages of a dystopian novel, now seems like the perfect time to release a novel exploring themes like technology, society and the future. Luckily for us, that’s just what Joshua Helmer has done with Dark Wonders. We caught up with the Nottingham writer to discuss his self-published debut novel...
Christmas at Wollaton