I stopped my morning messages as the pandemic started. I started them again a few days ago.  I need the exercise. I need the contact. I need the FUN and the daily risk of making something up and putting Read more [...]

 We have been reading books throughout lockdown.  “The longlist, or ‘The Booker Dozen’, for The 2020 Booker Prize was announced on, Tuesday 28 July 2020.  This year’s longlist of 13 books was Read more [...]

2021 will be the twentieth year  since work began on The Grand Ethiopian Rennaisance Dam (GERD). and the world needs to know what’s happening because water is vital to Ethiopians.  In April this year, Read more [...]

News just in from Bookseller: My name Is Why is on the Gordon Burn Prize Longlist. Wherever you are in the world please come to the online event.  on  Saturday 20th   I will be  at Emirates Literature Read more [...]

Before I  begin, just a quick note:  Racism is learned behaviour and racism kills.  It is deeply personal because death is the end game.  Leading up to death are an  identifiable set of behaviours Read more [...]

From childhood and in adulthood Birthdays and Christmas Days were the most torturous days of the year for me. One in the heart of summer one in the bowls of winter. Each struck like a sickness whose symptoms Read more [...]

Stop right there. The blog has been public for 10 minutes and your responses  have been generous and kind. This one touched me because anything I say about my losses (in the ensuing blog post)  pale Read more [...]

I am in good health. I hope you are too. I’m sharing a bit of news on four online appearances over the next week. All are free and easy to access.  Shall we begin. Iggy Pop, Tilda Swinton Jeremy Irons, Read more [...]

"Ground control to Major Tom. Yes Major Tom quite a few of us at Ground Control have been quarantined.  Best you stay up there. This is an illustration by Sarah McIntyre on 24th March. That's my Read more [...]