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literature

Late of the Pier talk Ecstatic Data Sets

They were one of the hottest bands of the noughties, releasing their debut album Fantasy Black Channel to mass critical acclaim....

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...

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...

The History Boys – Thirty Iconic Goals in the History of Nottingham Forest by David Marples

10 October 18

Stephen Fry once said that he loves Abba because “they’re so much better than they need to be”. Apparently there are nine piano tracks on ‘Dancing Queen’, such was the attention to detail Bjorn and Benny put into the texture and production of their songs. What could’ve been throwaway 70s pop fodder became indestructible classics.

Violets are Blue: Miggy Angel Launches New Poetry Collection

09 October 18

Miggy Angel is a locally loved poet based in Nottingham, having moved originally from London with his family fifteen years ago. Last Friday, Miggy took to Waterstones' Sillitoe Suite to launch his latest collection Extreme Violets, and we sent our Benjamin Knight down to check it out. 

Get Snapping: Read On Nottingham Launches Social Media Selfie Competition

03 October 18

Bust out them reading glasses, dads — You've got some work to do. 

Henry Normal on His New Poetry Collection and Preparing for Live Shows

27 September 18

The ever delightful poet, producer and screen-writer, Henry Normal, sat down for a quick chat about his latest poetry collection, This Phantom Breath, and what to expect from his upcoming live show, Nature V Human Nature.... 

Fluff Piece: Bromley House Library Celebrates Right to Vote with Knitted Figures

18 September 18

In 1918, the British government passed the Representation of the People Act, granting women in the UK the right to vote. While this did not include every woman in the UK, it was a gigantic leap for the progression of women’s rights. One hundred years on from this, Bromley House Library are celebrating this landmark with a display of miniature knitted versions of some of history's most famous women. We sent our Rebecca Miller down to the library to have a butcher's — Here's what she had to say. 

Poetry Profile: A Self-Help Group for People With Too Many Feelings

06 September 18

One year on from their debut, Between the Shadow and the Soul has quickly become a bastion of pleasant poetry. Ahead of their big birthday bash, I had a chat with co-founders Jim Sharpe and Kaia Hristova about the success of their infant poetry night, their own creative processes, and the importance of celebrating good feels. 

Stripped Tease! Rejecting the Rat Race with Sharon Bull

05 September 18

Things weren't going great for Sharon Bull. While she was living a life that seemed perfect on the outside, her mental health was taking a toll. Her new book, Stripped Bare: Swapping Credit for Compassion, details how she opted out of the cosmopolitan lifestyle and found happiness in her true, authentic self. We sent Jazmin Hill to the launch of Stripped Bare, and here's what she had to say. 

Do or Die Poets Facilitator Miggy Angel on New Book Extreme Violets

05 September 18

Originally from South London, poet, performer, and drug and alcohol worker Miggy Angel is a long-term resident of Hoodtown and the author of two poetry books, Grime Kerbstone Psalms and Extreme Violets. We hollered at him to see what he’s up to at the moment...

Proud to be Creative: An Interview With Write Pride Organiser Hayley Green

24 July 18

Representation is a bit of a buzz-word at the moment, so it's refreshing to see it done right. Nottingham-based poet and event organiser Hayley Green is the spearhead for the Write Pride Festival, a five-day event that celebrates some of Nottingham's best and brightest LGBTQIA creatives. We had a chat with her ahead of the festival to chat about the coming week.  

6 Nottingham Books to Read This Summer

16 July 18

Surely you must be in need of a beach side read. Give one of these a try...

Let's Make Some Mischief: Dennis, Gnasher and Horrid Henry to head this year’s Summer Reading Challenge

13 July 18

Listen up, hell-raisers: The Nottinghamshire County Council have set up another summer reading challenge to get some noses in books. Our man Ian C Douglas is here to give us the low-down. 

Penguin Random House is On the Lookout For the Next Big Thing in Nottingham

30 June 18

There’s a sweet upcoming opportunity for under-represented writers and illustrators in the city.

Poetry Profile: Talking Psst. with Christopher Lanyon

12 June 18

In the immortal words of Björk, it's been oh so quiet in Nottingham this month with the launch of Psst., the latest in a long line of poetry events based in the city centre. The brainchild of Christopher Lanyon, Psst. is (in addition to being a grammatical nightmare), a prime example of the newest breed of Nottingham poetry: inclusive, soft, powerful and punchy. I popped down to Jam Cafe for their debut, and while I was there I managed to collar Chris for a chat over a pint of posh ale. 

Penguin in Nottingham: Under-represented Writers Needed WriteNow

06 June 18

The Best Mummy Snails Are Teaching Kids About Same Sex Parenting

19 May 18

With a growing number of young people identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer, it’s important to explain identity in an inclusive way. Troy Jenkinson, a headteacher at a Leicestershire primary school, has written a heartwarming and funny kids’ book – The Best Mummy Snails in the Whole Wide World – which aims to do just that. We asked him about the hows and whys of the publication, and here’s what he had to say…

Poetry Profile: Crosswords

18 May 18

On the second Wednesday of every month in a cosy cave three floors below the Malt Cross you'll find Crosswords, Nottingham's only subterranean spoken word open mic. Our Martin Grey popped down to May's event and also had a chat with the organisers, Leanne Moden and Jake Wildeman, and this month's headliner, Gemma Baker.
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