So last Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of interviewing Australian children's and YA fantasy author Garth Nix for an event at Manchester's Waterstones bookstore. Which, I'll be honest, was a lot of fun. Nix is one of the most celebrated and prolific authors of the last 30 years — he's written over 40 books,… Continue reading A writer’s guide to creative courage
Tag: literature
An ode to untold stories
So I'll admit there are few things more gratifying than to witness and shape the creativity of another — to watch that gentle unfurling of soul, like a wind-snatched sail, as they place their palm in yours to glide upon the eddies of their chosen art, and in so doing discover layers to their skill… Continue reading An ode to untold stories
Horror, hope and humanity
I was invited, this past month, to reflect upon my writing influences, and in so doing share insights on how horror, as a genre, has shaped elements of my storytelling. And I won't lie, I had a fair bit of fun contemplating this. Horror is a style of storytelling I've always had a love-hate relationship… Continue reading Horror, hope and humanity
Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell
Thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by the ever eloquent Dr Sanjida O'Connell and featured at Writersmosaic this past month. Sanjida, along with her PhDs in zoology and psychology, is an award-winning novelist and a gorgeous non-fiction writer. Which is partly why I was so excited about the opportunity to talk shop and dive into the nuts and… Continue reading Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell
The Black Man’s Burden
It sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying: the world was a very different place back in 1903, pre a couple of World Wars and all their geopolitical ramifications, before meaningful broadcast media, household telephones, petrol-driven cars, CCTV, pop music, space travel, personal computers. And let’s not get started on the internet, smartphones and the cornucopia… Continue reading The Black Man’s Burden
On the Beauty of the Tree
Every so often you come across words – a passage of literature, a quote, a pithy aphorism – that perfectly capture some truth inside of you; a long-held belief, an inward conviction, a sentiment so true it resonates, it seems, in every cell of your being like a well struck chord. For me, I’ve perhaps… Continue reading On the Beauty of the Tree
A Brief History of Africa
Below is an excerpt from Chinua Achebe's 1998 essay, Africa is People. The full article is well worth the read for anyone interested in availing themselves of a fuller understanding of how the continent's many plights came to be. And I'll say the same for Achebe's The Education of a British-Protected Child, an eloquent and… Continue reading A Brief History of Africa
Cover Reveal for Lost Gods
I'll confess every step of this journey toward the publication of Lost Gods, my debut novel, has been pretty surreal - from signing with my agent, to getting a publishing deal with award winning imprint, Angry Robot. And today is no exception. Barnes and Noble - as in, the world's biggest bookstore - just went ahead… Continue reading Cover Reveal for Lost Gods
Elevator Fiction
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to give the reader a story worth reading in 500 words or less… So said the email I received requesting I submit a piece of flash fiction for inclusion in an anthology to be published by Crocus Books. And so, never one to shirk a challenge,… Continue reading Elevator Fiction
King Lear: A World Where Race Doesn’t Matter?
Thrilling, moving, visceral - at some point you run out of words to explain the feelings that run through you after watching Michael Buffong's stunning adaptation of King Lear. I went to the showing at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre last night and loved pretty much every minute of it. The dark, modern soundscape, the ridiculously… Continue reading King Lear: A World Where Race Doesn’t Matter?
Micah Yongo 