Trigger warning: Panic and health anxiety There’s a theme that runs through all my writing - the media’s impact on our anxiety. And my God, it’s very REAL. I’m not blaming the media. Not entirely. It’s just that, for us obsessives, the combination of health anxiety and health headlines is a bit of a toxic cocktail. … Continue reading How anxiety makes the truth stranger than fiction
10 Books on Addiction and Recovery
I’ve spent a lot of time working with addiction recovery charities over the last few years, and, as I was working on a project this morning, it inspired me to share some of the books I’ve read - and some on my TBR - on the topic. There really are some powerful, honest, inspirational, humorous … Continue reading 10 Books on Addiction and Recovery
GOING LIVE: The Writing Community Chat Show
Evening all! I’ve been sticking my face in front of the camera a bit and tomorrow I’ll be doing it again and going live - not with Gordon the Gopher and a sweary phone-in directed at Five Star - but with the Writing Community Chat Show. I’ll be talking all about The Twenty Seven Club, … Continue reading GOING LIVE: The Writing Community Chat Show
Why do so many rock stars die aged 27?
I wrote an entire book based on this question. The thing is, I don’t think we’re really asking the right question at all. Which is also why I wrote the book. It’s easy to find a headline. Especially today - conspiracy theories and drawn conclusions based on....well...a bunch of details we cherry pick from. But … Continue reading Why do so many rock stars die aged 27?
How showing vulnerability helped my social anxiety
So, I’ve started vlogging....never thought it would be my thing but I’m giving it a go. It’s focused on mental health, music and arts, and I thought I’d share today’s little ramble which is all about the value of showing your vulnerability... Please do have a watch / like / subscribe / comment. It’s a … Continue reading How showing vulnerability helped my social anxiety
The Twenty Seven Club – launch day STUFF
Yesterday was e-book launch day! I’m excited about The Twenty Seven Club landing on readers’ tablets - and of course nervous about the response! Anyway, to celebrate the day, I pulled together some stuff including an interview with former Senseless Things roadie, Gigsy; a celebration of Hull’s music scene pre City of Culture, and of … Continue reading The Twenty Seven Club – launch day STUFF
Join me for a chat on music and mental health!
Dear all, I’m feeling pretty excited as we gear up to the official launch of The Twenty Seven Club - with the e-book being released on Wednesday! If you prefer to digest your words digitally, do pre-order yourself a copy and it will drop onto your tablet in just two days! You can pre-order on: … Continue reading Join me for a chat on music and mental health!
Book Review: Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor
Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor by Dave Haslam - Music, Manchester and More I’ve always felt like a music imposter. Even though I’ve loved music since I was very young - and grew up listening to my dad playing guitar and blues music (which I of course whinged about because don’t all kids whinge … Continue reading Book Review: Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor
EVENT KLAXON: How Music Shaped Us
Who fancies joining me and two other music-obsessed authors for a chat about….well…books and music? Forum Books, one of the most gorgeous independent bookshops I’ve ever set foot in, is hosting an event on 3rd March (coinciding with my e-book launch!) called How Music Shaped Us. There’ll be me bangin’ on about The Twenty Seven … Continue reading EVENT KLAXON: How Music Shaped Us
Back to the 1990s – and a little literary request….
Evening all! Since my book, The Twenty Seven Club, published last week, I’m really keen to hear what people think about it, who’s interested in reading and, basically, seeing if I can generate some buzz around it! It’s fun - but also a hard slog publishing independently - so every little bit of online support … Continue reading Back to the 1990s – and a little literary request….