Dark tales for dark nights

Megan's bookIt’s back to books on this week’s show, when storyteller/novellist Megan Taylor and publisher/writer Ian Collinson of Weathervane Press join June, Tina and Sue in the studio…

Megan’s latest book – published by Weathervane Press – is a collection of short stories, The Woman Under the Ground.  Her writing is brooding and mysterious and her characters are often the victims of absence and loss: a child taken to a neglected museum by her forsaken father; a woman revisiting the scene of an ended affair; a couple taking a road trip to try to reconcile the death of their daughter…

From dark adult secrets to night visitors and the dangerous passions of small girls, these stories explore fractured relationships and moments of self revelation. Definitely not fluffy chick-lit, but if you enjoy dark stories, you’ll enjoy these.

Megan’s first novel, How We Were Lost, a dark coming-of-age story, was published by Flame Books in 2007 after placing second in the 2006 Yeovil Prize. Her second, The Dawning, is a domestic thriller set over the course of a single night, published by Weathervane Press in 2010. In her third novel, The Lives of Ghosts (2012), she plays with ideas of inheritance, motherhood and the haunting power of memories that refuse to be suppressed.

She has also been published in an anthology of short stories by Nottinghamshire writers, These Seven (published in July 2015 by Five Leaves Publications) and regularly runs creative writing workshops in and around Nottingham.

Ian is founder of independent publisher Weathervane Press, specialising in publishing contemporary adult literary fiction by local writers. He created Weathervane Press in March 2009 with the self-publication of his own novel, I Love Samuel Taylor, and published his second, Find Amy, on Kindle.

Ian also writes and performs poetry and regularly writes reviews and articles for literary magazines.

Join the Girls Around Town and their guests on air or online between 10am and 1pm on Saturday – in the meantime, you’ll find more about Megan’s work here and about Weathervane Press here

Cakes, bakes and books

scone with the windCould there possibly be anything more enticing than an afternoon dedicated to cake?

June, Tina and Sue certainly don’t think so which is why they’re planning a trip to Lowdham on Sunday 18 October!

From 2pm till 5pm, two special events in the Village Hall combine to make up An Afternoon of Cake – and it goes without saying that there’ll be tea and homemade cakes on sale throughout…

The entertainment begins with Cook ‘n’ Book between 2pm and 3pm. Join the ever-popular duo Jackie Skinner and Julia Pirie for literary-inspired demonstrations and readings from the delightfully entertaining recipe book Scone With The Wind.

The book is packed with recipes for fun, edible versions of favourite classics such as To Kill A BattenbergMiddlemarshmallows and Captain Corelli’s Madeleines, complete with witty introductions and amusing illustrations. Breakfast at Tiffins anyone?!

frances quinnThen, if like the Girls Around Town you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet 2013 winner Frances Quinn.

She wowed the judges with her imaginative showstoppers and extraordinary baking skills to take the trophy.

Published just a few weeks ago, her first book, Quintessential Baking, is a treasure trove of inspirational ideas to bring a spark of creativity and a teaspoon of wonder into your kitchen.

Frances will be in the Village Hall from 4pm to 5pm, sharing stories from her baking life as part of this special afternoon.

Tickets are on sale now, priced £5 (£4 for concessions, £3 for Festival Friends) for Cook ‘n’ Book or £6 (£5 for concessions, £4 for Festival Friends) for the chance to meet Frances Quinn.

For more details and bookings for both events, call 0115 966 3219.

Are books your bag?

recommended reads - books are my bagIt’s all about books on Saturday’s show, as the Girls Around Town chat to Paul Trickett about a brand new festival coming to the Castle this summer.

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, Newark will be home to the first Books in the Castle event, with a host of authors coming to town to discuss their work.

AT5 poss cover 3Saturday 8 August is Ladies Day – over the next few weeks June, Tina and Sue will be talking to some of the female authors lined up and then reporting live from the Castle on the day.

Whatever your age or literary leanings, there’ll be something for you at the festival – tune in this Saturday from 10am to 1pm or listen online as Paul gives us a taste of what’s in store.

And watch this space for news of some of the writers who’ll be featured on the show during July…