Coming up roses June 2007

People may be wondering why I haven't updated my site for a few months. Here is one of the reasons; my forthcoming anthology, Coming Up Roses. I'm my own worst client, endlessly generating cover possibilities and finding it impossible to decide. Luckily my publishers decided for me.

I also got to draw illustrations to go with each story, and make a book mark. None of that naughty page-folding or spine-splitting!

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Gus the firefly June 2006

One of the inspirations for Gus's name is P D Eastman's classic, Sam and the Firefly. Otto's initials spell Owl, so the coupling is obvious. I doctored a Warehouse T-shirt, with the aid of a silk-screen and buttons.

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You can never have enough hats or bags June 2006

This one is the perfect size for books and A4 journals. I'm not sure I've reinforced it enough, given what I lug around. I was particularly taken with the vintage rose buttons.

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Suffragette June 2006

I saw broaches like these at a shop and loved their "vote for me" spirit. I made my own versions with morsels from my fabric, ribbon and button collection.

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Magpie Hall by Rachael King
Great novel with ghosts and Victorian tattoos, and I got to design the cover!
Relief by Anna Taylor
Lovely stories, beautifully observed
The Angel's Cut by Elizabeth Knox
I love the warped worlds that Knox opens up for us.
Chronic CIty by Jonathan Lethem
Another twisted alternate reality world for me to lose myself in
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
This filled me with a sadness and yearning to go to Mexico. Beautiful but a slow read for me.
St Vincent
Freaky gothic Snow White. Reminds me a little of Goldfrapp.
Rufus Wainwright
I have been getting into the Wainwrights, only 10 years after everyone else
The XX
Dreamy, atmospheric
The New York Times
My home page.
Melissa Laing
My sister, the artist.
This American Life
Such a different take on the US
Beattie's book blog
This guy is prolific.
Stripy Sock Studio
A dear friend and partner-in-crime.
New Yorker fiction
I love listening to the stories and critique.
Tiny Happy
Wholesomeness incarnate!
Rachael King
It's great to have an insight into other writers' processes.
poppy shock