Anthology: A Circa Works collection

by James Garside (Editor), N.J. Ramsden (Editor), Rebecca Stirrup (Foreword)

This isn’t a book about a werewolf, in love with a sexy vampire, who rides to wizard school on a dragon. It’s a smorgasbord of short stories and poetry from great Yorkshire writers with nary a whippet or flat cap in sight. Some of them are no longer based in Yorkshire, and others would spit at you if you called them northern, but you get the idea. Yorkshire Art Circus kick-started the careers of many fledgling writers with their Writer Development Programme. When a cut in support for the arts forced YAC to close its doors the writers it had nurtured didn’t disappear. We did what any self-respecting group would do that never wanted to split up in the first place: We got the band back together. Circa Works is a not-for-profit collaborative born out of friendship, creativity and sheer bloody-mindedness. To hell with Greatest Hits. This is our Anthology.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2017

About the author

James Garside is an independent journalist and writer. He uses goodreads to keep track of the books he's read and the books he wants to read before he dies. There's more on his bucket list than anyone could read in one lifetime, which is a little bit presumptuous. For more information please visit: jamesgarside.net/links

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology was produced by writers who had participated in a Writers' Development Program set up by the Yorkshire Art Circus. It was first of all interesting to peek behind the scenes and see how the writers accomplished what they did, and how the program they worked through helped them develop and hone their skills. The introductions to the different sections speak to the difficulty of the writing process and to the solidarity writers can feel for each other.

Many (though not all) anthologies seem to specialize in one genre or topic; thus you get collections of science fiction stories, horror tales, one-act plays, sonnets or narrative poems. This anthology consists of a section devoted to short stories followed by another devoted to poetry. Some authors have even contributed to both sections. Which just goes to show that, whereas many people think of writers as specialists in one genre or type of writing, authors don't necessarily have to be one-trick ponies.

Some of the pieces are philosophical, focusing on the process of growing up, the forging of relationships and the meaning of life, family and history. Others examine the simple act of communication and the trust that is necessary for this. Some are nostalgic or even tragic. A few of the darker pieces describe the breaking down of ordinary human ties and are tinged with horror and black humour.

These writers, who are diverse in theme and genre, have banded together to produce a unique collection of short stories and poems. I look forward to seeing more from these authors.

[Deedra Hanekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

I know James and wanted to read this book because he was a part of it. I admit I enjoyed his story, oddness and all, more than the rest. I won't spoil it for you though. Also, I really loved a few of the poems that are included in this work. If you are looking for a lovely hodge podge of quick reads and if you enjoy poetry then this is the book for you. I must add I didn't receive any incentive or discount for my review. James is a sweetie and doesn't even know I'm posting this review. In short I paid full price and did this review because I wanted to. The price is cheap, but the book is not. Give it a read!