Brian the Bear at Barrington Court!
The lovely National Trust people at Barrington Court invited me to do a series of Brian readings as part of their activities, and the first one was at the Design Shed at the Court as part of their Community Day. I was more terrified of reading to children than to adults, but it seemed to go down well!
Brian has launched!
What a lovely day we had for the launch of Brian The Flying Bear! And obviously I’m not talking about the weather… Thanks to everyone who braved the rain and came along. The book is now available at local stockists and here on my website.
Fresh Fiction Reading
Great to be back with my Bowie-inspired short story at the Fresh Fiction event.
Despite a little apprehension on my part, my new Bowie-inspired coming of age story went down well.
A lovely evening in the company of excellent writers and an enthusiastic full house.
Thank you, Novel Nights, for selecting my story!
A return to the Brook Kitchen, Budleigh!
My first public reading from Final Approach! Thanks to everyone at the Brook Kitchen, event, always such a quality repertoire!
Ilminster Literary Festival 2023
My first lit fest appearance was a really lovely evening, very well attended by an appreciative audience. I read The Wall at the Fresh Fiction Best Short Story Show, part of the Ilminster Literary Festival.
Wonderful to be on the bill with such excellent writers, and such a great and supportive atmosphere.
Back at the Brook Kitchen, Budleigh!
And a lovely evening it was too, in the presence of some wonderful writers, and I read my short story The Wall, a dress rehearsal for my appearance at Ilminster Literary Festival.
Literature Works Hothouse Fiction Weekend
Excited – and not a little awed (read apprehensive) – to have been selected as a participant on the Literature Works Hothouse fiction weekend with none other than Andrew Miller, one of the best British novelists.
We already have three of his novels and am somewhat pinching myself that next month I’ll be spending three days at Exeter Custom House learning the craft from one of its masters.
A Spoken Word Night and a Bowie Tribute
I recently opened the bill at Brook Kitchen’s (Budleigh Salterton) Spoken Word night with my Bowie tribute, which seemed to go down well and connected with some of the other readings – love it when that happens.
Getting to know quite a few other local writers too – great to hear their work and to meet and hear new authors.
You can read the full piece here: https://markblackburn.co.uk/2018/01/10/david-bowie-youre-sorely-missed/
An Exhibition Win!
Yay! I won a lottery prize! Not THE lottery, but a lottery run by the @studio1.1_london gallery, whereby the holder of the winning ticket gets to put on their own show for a whole four weeks – how exciting?!
I’m thrilled that my brilliant artist friend @catedinoff will be helping me curate and organise. We haven’t been given exact dates yet, but the exhibition’s likely to be late summer.
More detail as it emerges, we’re really looking forward to it!
The Wall
It looks like a version of my short story The Wall has found a home in print. I’m thrilled to say it should be appearing in an anthology which is being launched to raise funds for a very worthy cause. More details when they’re confirmed.
Me with actor Adam Brady who read The Wall at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond.
markblackburn.co.uk 