Farewell 2022
Popping back on here with a brief recap of the year.
Life continues to get in the way of writing somewhat, but I was pleased to complete two new projects this year, of which I hope to share news in 2023.
Sadly, Covid again restricted my theatre visits but I was very glad to catch David Eldridge’s Middle at the National Theatre, a deeply poignant two-hander about the choices we face at the middle of life’s journey.
Of the new(ish) books I read this year, I relished Alejandro Zambra’s magnificent Chilean Poet (translated by Megan McDowell), full of invention and insight, and Pat Barker’s The Women of Troy, a bleak exposure of the wreckage of war.
And of the slightly older books I caught up on, I loved Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie’s extraordinary Half of a Yellow Sun. I’ve also been enjoying Elizabeth Strout’s touching and beautifully observed Amgash novels.
Finally, the Jericho Prize for new Black-British children’s authors is running again. The deadline for picture book submissions is 9 January 2023. I’m delighted still to be involved with this important competition providing comprehensive, lasting support for Black-British writers.
Wishing you all the best for 2023. Let’s make it a good one.
