Keep drinking the coffee & buying books

I haven't posted for a while because I have been travelling but now I am settled for a few days and so I thought I would post a quick update. First, it is my opinion, given recent experience, that giving up coffee is a bad idea. I drink one cup a day, real coffee, none of that instant stuff. Last week I decided that perhaps it was affecting my sleep and so I stopped drinking it. On Coffee-Free Day Two I was due to fly to Ireland and a) I got the flight time wrong and nearly missed the flight and b) left my mobile phone on the train to the airport. I would like to point out that I never, ever do either of these things. I am normally very careful to check the flight times and to make sure I haven't dropped anything when getting off public transport. I blame it on the coffee withdrawal. I was too calm. See what happens?

Ok, back to writing talk. Whether it was the coffee or lack of it, I have recovered surprisingly fast from failing to get anywhere either with the Fish short story prize or the new Flosca short story competition. A year ago, I would have moped around, dejected, for days, wondering where I went wrong. Now, I was a little disappointed for an hour or so and then, poof, all gone. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that my book is coming out in 3 months (3 months!!). Nothing can really top the news that someone wants to publish your book. That's really it as far as highs go. Also, ever since the rather unpleasant experience a few weeks ago with the lit mag that I won't go into again, something has switched inside me. It's hard to describe exactly but it is something to do with power, and realizing that I actually have some. I don't have to wait to be "chosen", I don't have to accept publication on any terms, I can initiate my own projects. I did it with The Short Review, and now I have the beginnings of an idea for an anthology, and what's to stop me from just doing it? This is quite a turning point - moving from handing my fate to others to grabbing it back and forging my own path. Some might call it maturity. I don't know what to call it, but it sure feels good.

On that note, my great friend Vanessa's short story collection, Words from A Glass Bubble, is now available from all good book shops!



It's a stunning collection of stories, beautiful and tragic, inspiring and illuminating. I already have my copy. Get it now! Click here for more details.