Avril Joy's Blog

Hi All

It’s been a while since I’ve been here during which time I’ve finished the first big draft of my new novel, A Little Madness in the Spring. With this under my belt, though there is more work to do, I have embarked on a new venture of writing a weekly newsletter Writing Days, on Substack.

I think of Writing Days, as a kind of scrapbook for writers, readers, and all those interested in living a creative life, where I share my reflections on writing; the mundane and the rewarding, al...

Dear All – if you’re interested and you have a spare 40 minutes I am kicking off the Linen Press – In the Linen Cupboard – series of online author events on Wednesday 9th November at 6.30 – 7.10pm. I’m delighted to be first out of the blocks and I love the fact that the lovely Linen Press interns have used an old photograph of me in which I look a lot younger – can’t be bad! I’d love you to join me – I will be talking about women in containment, prisons and asylums, and my writing work. Maybe th...

I was at my desk, writing, when my husband called upstairs to tell me that Hilary Mantel had died. It stopped me in my tracks. It seemed impossible that the world should lose a writer of her unmatched craft and imagination, her general all-round brilliance, a writer who had given her readers such pleasure and delight, a huge intellect, and an inspiration to writers everywhere.

As a reader I devoured her fiction and also her essays. Everything she wrote or said about the writing process w...

The film of Where the Crawdads Sing, has opened to mixed reviews. I have to say, judging by the trailer, I’ve yet to see the whole, the film does not conjure up the book for me, which is of course one of the dangers of adaptations for readers.

I love the book, and I love it when readers compare my novel, Sometimes a River Song, with Crawdads. (There are even those who say they prefer River Song!) Because of this I find myself wondering how, in a fantasy world where Sometimes a River Song...

I’m delighted to be taking part in a Collectedbooks event, with Anna Barker, on Monday 20th June 6pm, at St. Chad’s College, Durham. The event will be chaired by novelist and academic Naomi Booth, who has her own short story collection due out in June. Do join us if you can. It promises to be a great evening for readers and writers alike and in a beautiful venue. You can book your ticket here..

This week, though I’ve been buried deep in my asylum novel, as I call it, (my work in progress) A L...

I’m not sure if I should say it but I will anyway, I’m not that keen on Simon Armitage’s poem for Ukraine. I’ve read a few poems like it which don’t hit the mark for me. I think it’s because the poet is not there at war and it feels somehow derived, second hand. Maybe it’s the male perspective but I don’t want to think that.

Anyway what can I write but a poem that reflects my experience of the war in Ukraine? And if my conversations are anything to go by, reflects the feelings of a lot of me...

Happy New Year Everyone – I wish you all that you hope for yourself and your loved ones in 2022.

My year has begun very differently from last, especially because I have three beautiful granddaughters now to share life and celebrations with – Elsie born in May when the sun shone, and our solstice twins Lilah and Freja born on December 21st. For me nothing can compare to the hope and love these new lives bring. I am already thinking of stories to write and stories to tell them…

In between ...

Hi Everyone – as promised

here is the link to the online launch of this One Wild Place, where I will be in conversation with my editor Lynn Michell, as well as giving several short readings.

Its a free event but you do need to register and book your place. Look forward to seeing there…

Avril x

Hi Everyone – for some crazy reason we decided to get all the old wallpaper removed from our downstairs rooms and have them re-plastered and painted. What possessed us I do not know and now we are knee deep in cleaning up and most of our furniture etc is stored in the small conservatory! The ceilings and walls still have to be painted. There was a time when we would have done all the work ourselves but at least those days are over.

I’ve reaffirmed that I’m definitely not made for this kind o...

Hi Everyone – delighted to post that my new collection of short stories and creative memoir is available now from Linen Press. You can purchase it HERE

I will be launching it officially in October at the Weardale WordFest and would love to see there – all events are free.

”This new collection of stories from Avril Joy brings together her finest published and unpublished work. From the Costa winning Mille and Bird, to the recent Morning Tide, listed for the Fish Short memoir Prize, she ...