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We’ve had some brilliant reviews for Ben’s second novel with Bluemoose books, BEASTINGS. A few words from the author himself:

A quick thanks to all who have bought, read or reviewed my new novel Beastings. Initial reviews have been positive. New Statesman said “this bitter, alarming, occasionally visionary novel of the British wilderness is likely to linger in the mind for some time”. And The Guardian said Beastings “is both purgative and abhorrent in a manner that suggests that Myers has the potential to become a true tragedian of the fells.”

There have also been wonderful reviews from CAUGHT BY THE RIVER and THE QUIETUS.

Nowhere People by Paulo Scott, translated by Daniel Hahn.

‘A powerful, complex and very ambitious voice. In the contemporary Latin American literature scene, Paulo Scott is a must read.’ -- Juan Pablo Villalobos author of Down the Rabitt Hole.

Benjamin Myers has won the Society of Authors Tom Gallon Trust Award for his short story, ‘The Folk song, singer.’

This is his third national literary award in twelve months.

• The Northern Writers’ Award 2013
• PIG IRON won the inaugural Gordon Burn Prize 2013
• Tom Gallon Award 2014.

Bluemoose Books publishes Ben’s fourth novel BEASTINGS this Thursday 3rd July 2014.

A girl and a baby. A priest and a poacher. A savage pursuit through the landscape of a changing rural England. Like an American Southern Gothic tale set against the violent beauty of Northern England, BEASTINGS is a sparse and poetic novel about morality, motherhood and corruption.

‘Myer’s prose is taut, confident, professionally polished but at the same time maintaining a sense of rustic and unrefined authenticity, that which is truly hewn.’ SARAH HALL

I will be part of a panel discussing books and words at The MMU Novella Awards on Saturday 12th July.

I will be joined by Alison Moore, whose novel, The Lighthouse was short listed for The Man Booker. Livi Michael, author of The Whispering Road and Nicholas Royle, representing Salt Publishing.

Bluemoose author Michael Stewart will be talking about his award winning novel KING CROW.

The June ACFG Book of the month for June, is WOUNDING by Heidi James.

‘Cora has everything a woman is supposed to want – a career, a caring hsband, children, and a stylish home. Desperate for release and burdened with guilt she falls into a pattern of ever increasing violence and sexual degradation till a one night stand tips her over the edge.’

Wounding explores a woman’s search for redemption, identity and truth.

Heidi James lives in London and lectures at Kingston University. Her poetry, essays and short stories have appeared in numerous publications including Myslexia, Galley Beggar Press and Dazed & Confused.

STRANGER THAN KINDNESS by Mark A Radcliffe is the first Bluemoose title to be sold at UK airports. It is part of WHSmith Travel’s six week Spring promotion, so as you idle the hours away waiting for that flight you can grab Mark’s latest book and like JO BRAND says on the cover, you can ‘ step into an alternative world,’ and one in which she wanted to stay in for a long time.’

If, of course, you’re travelling courtesy of a ‘No frills airline’ and:

1. The destination you’re going to isn’t on GOOGLE EARTH yet
2. A priest is seen blessing the plane with holy water and
3. The pilot is throwing down Jager Bombs like he’s partying in 1999.

Why not invest in Mark’s debut novel GABRIEL’S ANGEL, which was one of The Guardian readers’ books of the year.

Bon Voyage.

We had a fantastic launch of WOUNDING by Heidi James at The Workers Arts Guild in Bloomsbury on May 1st. Wonderful reading from Heidi, lots of people turned up and we sold loads of books, so thank you to everyone that turned up. There is a cracking thread on Mumsnet at the minute about WOUNDING, so pop along and have your say if you’ve read Heidi’s book. Heidi also gave a talk and a reading at Purley Library yesterday. Lots more events coming up over the summer.

Bluemoose publishes WOUNDING by Heidi James today, 24th April 2014. The official launch is next week, Thursday May 1st in Londinium. Already there have been some fantastic review, which I will post later on today.

Congratulations to Heidi on her debut novel.