Took me a while to realise that ‘The Map of Bihar’ had been given a mention by Nicholas Royle in ‘Best British Short Stories 2020’ and, in particular, the story ‘Washing Machine Wars’. Thanks to Selma Cavalho for pointing this out, and thanks again to Circaidy Gregory Press for publishing me.
‘Foxtrot in Fulham’
Massive thanks to ‘The Hyderabad Review’ for daring to run with this story about struggle, love and racism in the UK. Good to reach another part of the Indian reading public.
Here’s what the Editor-in-Chief had to say about the story: ‘When I started reading, the very first thought of a foreigner writing on Indian subjects interested me. As the story went on it really intrigued me to know whats coming. I could visualize everything in front of my eyes and I was able to connect with the character, “Prem” and imagine the western world in the 60s and the racial discrimination. A great story!’
I’m hoping ‘Foxtrot in Fulham’ will be the centre-piece in my next collection, but meantime, you can read it here for free!
‘A Bird on the Wing’ Takes Flight
‘In the Kitchen’, a diverse anthology of stories with a diversity of authors launches today. Edited by culinary genius and author, Susmita Bhattacharya, and Farhana Shaikh of Dahlia Publishing, you can expect it to whet your appetite for all kinds of delicacies. Except for my story, ‘A Bird on the Wing’, set in a dismal Glasgow of the sixties. Betrayal, grief, vengeance – now they’re the things I’m more comfortable with. See ‘Short stories’ page on how to buy.
Interview with Elaine Chiew in Asian Books Blog
Writer Elaine Chiew kindly invited me to be interviewed for the Asian Books Blog, to talk about ‘The Map of Bihar and Other Stories’ and about my approach to writing generally. I’m delighted to be reaching another audience here. See if what I have to say resonates with you.
‘Is it Sunday Yet’ – broadcast, Maghull Radio
Reader, actress Valerie Roche. Keep an ear out for this internet radio station based on Merseyside, UK. They run a regular Poetry and Fiction hour on Thursday evenings, 7-8pm, BST.
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, 2020
Delighted to be a guest at this very busy festival in Mumbai, on a panel talking about the short story as a lens through which to view India. Curator: Indira Chandrashekar.
Irish Times Review – ‘The Map of Bihar and Other Stories’
‘The Map of Bihar and Other Stories’, review by writer Erinna Mettler
‘The Red Rickshaw’ is now available in print
‘The Red Rickshaw’, a story about karma, was a finalist in the Earlyworks Press short story competition 2018. It’s now available in print, along with the work of the other finalists, in the anthology ‘Unsafe Spaces’, published by Circaidy Gregory Press.
You can buy it here: http://www.circaidygregory.co.uk/Earlyworks_Press_2018_competition_winners.htm
London launch – ‘The Map of Bihar and Other Stories’
Don’t miss the launch of ‘The Map of Bihar and Other Stories’ taking place at The Calder Bookshop, The Cut, South Bank, London SE1 8LF, 6-9pm on Saturday 15th June. Free event!!