I’ve been to a couple of events over the last few days all about the elected mayor referendum that’s coming up on the 3rd of May. I’m pretty sure that I want a ‘yes’ vote—even if it does nothing more…
Category: author
Danny Smith: Requiem for a piss stained short cut
It was a shocking moment when after nineteen years of living in Birmingham I realised it will never be finished. The building work will never be done, some part will always be being demolished for another part to be built…
Danny Smith: Skinner in the Underworld
Going Through Hell is Mike Skinner’s first single from his last album as The Streets. It’s an oddly poetic title that has a lot of resonances, including echoes of the Greek myth Orpheus when our titular hero walked through hell…
Danny Smith: On Holiday By Mistake
Routine crushes me, most of the time I can feel its weight on my chest. When it really takes hold I start getting odder and odder thoughts compelling me to something dumb, dangerous or both. I can mitigate these brain…
Danny Smith: A Christmas Carol
The life of a blogger is nothing if not glamorous, only last week I was backstage at the dress rehearsal for 3P’s marvellous version of The Nativity. Even before the performance, the squash was flowing and more than a couple…
The News Where You Are
I have just finished Catherine O’Flynn’s new book — it’s a corker. As the acknowledgements page makes very clear this book is not about Midlands Today, nor is it about Nick Owen (despite the theme of poor witticisms in local…
Costa Book of the Year award within grasp for Catherine O’Flynn
Having won the Costa first novel award, Catherine O’Flynn’s What was Lost is now in the running for the Costa Book of the Year award. The winner will be announced later today at a posh do in that London. This…
Inside job
In a turnaround that a certain type of local paper (or a very particular type of Hollywood movie) would love Catherine O’Flynn – who’s day job is at the MAC – is a featured guest at the very same place…