Directed by Dan Turvil. Voiced by Hugh Ross. Piano by me.
Pour yourself a G&T. Make yourself comfortable.
The show's about to begin.
A short interview with me about my debut novel. Peppered with quotes from the book - voiced by acclaimed actor, Hugh Ross (Outlander/Trainspotting/Ab Fab) - I talk about what inspired me, the conversations I hope it will start, and why we should all watch out for those pesky seagulls.
After almost thirty years writing copy to sell everything from margarine to motor cars, in 2016 I took a leap of faith, quit my job at one of the UK’s biggest ad agencies, and began writing about the things that really made me open my laptop with glee every day. The result is The Brightonians.
‘Don’t write what you know. Write what you love to read.’ Inspired by this maxim, I like to think that my debut novel is a cross between E. F. Benson’s Mapp and Lucia and Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City – two series of books to which I return time and time again for their biting wit and commentary on the era in which they were written.
Of course, living in Brighton, my novel is also about something I know; the irreverent, smart, talented and funny people that have made the city their home. Especially those who live in Kemp Town, the beating heart of the LGBTiQ+ community. For more information about my involvement in queer Brighton, please skip to the ‘Queer in the City’ tab.
Sign up today for news about events and prize draws.
A few words for the people who helped me with mine.