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THE GALLOWS POLE by Benjmain Myers has been longlisted for The WALTER SCOTT PRIZE, the world's leading literary prize for historical fiction, 2018. Congratulations to Ben and his fellow longlistees.

There is a wonderful review by Arif Akbar of Naseem Khan's memoir, EVERYWHERE IS SOMEWHERE in The Guardian today, Saturday 6th January. The book is essential reading for anybody who wants to know why diversity in the arts is essential and how Britain has benefited from poets, dancers, writers, musicians and writers being given the space and time to perform. We will always be in her debt.

THE GALLOWS POLE by Benjamin Myers has been longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize sponsored by The Times Literary Supplement. The short list will be announced at Waterstones, Deansgate Manchester on the evening of 15th February 2018.

We are all chuffed to bits that SO THE DOVES by Heidi James has been chosen as THE SUNDAY TIMES Crime Book of The Month.

Here's a few words from the review: 'SO THE DOVES is an unforgettable crime novel. James writes lyrical prose, combining a compelling plot with a portrait of a man forced to question the entire basis of his life.'

Sam Jordison from The Guardian has reviewed Harriet's debut MAN WITH A SEAGULL ON HIS HEAD and it is stunning.

'A bona fide gem that would do credit to any short list.'

Congratulations to Harriet Paige whose debut novel MAN WITH A SEAGULL ON HIS HEAD has been short listed for The Guardian's NOT THE BOOKER Prize.

We have an opportunity for 5 new writers to be published alongside award winning writers: Andrew Michael Hurley, Carys Bray, Paul Kingsnorth, Peter Kalu and Kirsty Logan in a short story collection.

We are looking for stories from new writers and new voices for an anthology of short fiction set on the North West Coast edited by award winning writer Jenn Ashworth.

From the bright lights of Blackpool to the eerie calm of Morecambe bay, from the port of Whitehaven to the dunes of Formby, we want  your stories. We're interested in the untold tales: the seasonal workers, the overlooked natural world, the off-peak and under-written. We're interested in tales from the edge: edge of the country, edge of society, and perhaps even the edge of a life.

The story must be previously unpublished, set on the North West Coast of England, and be no longer than 6k words. The writer doesn't have to be born, live or work in the area to write about it and we're looking for surprising perspectives  and diverse voices.

(For the purposes of the this collection, 'new writer' means they haven't previously published a book-length work of fiction, poetry or creative non-fiction before)

To submit: the writer needs to send their work as a word doc email attachment to jenn.ashworth@gmail.com - including their name and contact details, and a short bio.

Deadline: September 15th 2017 - entries after this date will not be read.

Many thanks and good luck.

The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers has arrived in the warehouse. Alex Preston from The Guardian has chosen it as one of his fiction highlights for 2017.

There will be a launch at THE BOOKCASE, Hebden Bridge, on Wednesday 17th May from 7pm. Ben will chat about the book, 'The Cragg Vale Coiners' and 'King' David Hartley, the leader of the clippers, whose illegal activities nearly brought the economy of the West Riding of Yorkshire down and was the biggest fraud in England until 2007. Further launches and signings will be at WATERSTONES , LEEDS, Friday 19th May from 7pm when Ian Oldfield, a  manager at the bookstore will interview Ben and WATERSTONES, Durham, Saturday 20th May from midday, where Ben will sign copies of his book.