Nottingham Articles, Interviews and Features

You Can Get Your Hands on Four Free Books in Nottingham This Month, All Thanks to City of Literature

Interested in four free books? Well then you’re in luck, because Nottingham’s City of Literature are giving away just that as part...

We Hear All About Newark Book Festival, the Event Aiming to Celebrate Nottinghamshire’s Literary Community

26 June 22

Fancy a crime writing workshop? A heritage walk? Perhaps a story told on a riverboat? Well then you’re in luck, because Newark Book Festival has all that and more. Now in its sixth year, the festival is on a mission to celebrate Nottingham’s literary community and the local area. We catch up with Artistic Director Sara Bullimore to find out what’s in store…

The Loneliest Fear Of All: Graham Caveney Talks His New Book On Agoraphobia

15 June 22

Still recovering from a Government-ordered lockdown, it’s no surprise that agoraphobia has been on our minds more than ever before, especially with so many of us being nervous to leave the house. But even with the additional press, the phobia is still a widely misrepresented one, not even fully understood by those experiencing it. In the hopes of learning more, our writer Lizzy O’Riordan read Nottingham author Graham Caveney’s new book On Agoraphobia, and chatted with him about feelings of loneliness, the history of the disorder, and how literature’s agoraphobics acted as his ‘salvation’...

Anna Kent Spills All About Her New Book: Frontline Midwife

10 June 22

While still only in her twenties, Nottingham’s own Anna Kent left her job at the NHS, packed a bag and travelled to Sudan - then an active war zone - to offer her medical expertise to those in need. Now back in the UK and working as a midwife, the 41-year-old has written about her unbelievable experiences in Frontline Midwife: My Story of Survival and Keeping Others Safe, which provides a powerful story of perseverance, activism, and lessons learned…

Nottingham Biographer Miranda Seymour on the Incredible Life of Jean Rhys

03 May 22

Born on the Caribbean Island of Dominica, Jean Rhys is most well known for her seminal novel Wide Sargasso Sea, the postcolonial feminist prequel to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. A misunderstood and enigmatic woman, Rhys caught to attention of biographer Miranda Seymour who travelled to Dominica to learn more about her life. We catch up with Seymour in anticipation of her new book I Used To Live Here Once, The Haunted Life of Jean Rhys...

5 Great Things to Do in Nottingham This Week: People Person, Broadway Mystery Film and More

24 April 22

From ice hockey to books on isolation, we've got a proper varied week in Nottingham coming up...

5 Great Events in Nottingham This Week: Craig Charles, Red Ellen and More

10 April 22

With live music, immersive cinema and poetry book clubs, there's something for everyone in Notts this week...

Meet Rehannah Mian, the Notts Podcast Host Diving Into the Darker Side of Fairy Tales

08 April 22

Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty. Since they first arrived, these fairy tales have endured as childhood staples, shaping our first sense of right and wrong. But how often do we hear the original stories - the more gruesome and grisly iterations that don’t make it to Disney's final cut? Inspired by this month's magic theme, we catch up with Nottingham author and presenter Rehannah Mian about her podcast Magical Storybook, and why she’s bringing traditional fairy tales back to the present day…

100 Notts Writers Speak Out On Library Closures

16 March 22

Over a hundred local or locally connected writers, together with some local publishers and bookshops, have signed a joint letter opposing Nottingham City Council's planned closure of Aspley, Basford and Radford/Lenton libraries.

Notts Barrister Christian Weaver Opens Up on the Importance of His New Pocket-Sized Book on Human Rights

21 January 22

We chat to Carlton’s Christian Weaver, writer of The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights, about his route into law, Kill the Bill, and why it’s so important to protect our freedoms…

We Chat to Sophie Gargett, the Nottingham-Based Editor of Creative Culture Magazine The Dilettante

16 January 22

Artists, agony aunts and adorable cats - ‘creative culture’ magazine The Dilettante really has it all. We hear from its Nottingham-based editor, Sophie Gargett, about what people can expect from this peculiar publication…

We Hear All About New Book Follow the Moon and Stars: A Literary Journey Through Nottinghamshire

13 January 22

Approached by Five Leaves Publications, John Baird set off on a mission to uncover Nottinghamshire’s literary history. We catch up with the author about his new book Follow the Moon and Stars: A Literary Journey Through Nottinghamshire…

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

17 November 21

First classed as listed buildings in the eighties, the Promenade is home to some of Nottingham’s oldest and most colourful houses. We chat to Dan Lucas and Laura Summers about The Oral History Report - the book capturing the living memories behind this historic neighbourhood...

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?

literature