Camping at the Flash Fiction Festival in Bristol. I thought my camping days were over, but no! Lovely to see so many fellow writers and attend some great workshops. I even sang karaoke!
In writing: As, sadly, Louise Walters, who published by novella In the Sweep of the Bay, decided to stop publishing, I started working on a project to develop the book into a full-length novel, a saga going back to the 1930s and continuing until the present day.
August
In the footsteps of my ancestors
Great trip to Scotland, visiting old friends and also the place in Eskdalemuir where my paternal great grandparents are buried. I found that very emotional.
In writing: On my return I wrote a little piece for Paragraph Planet (which was published later in the month)
In his footsteps. He was a shepherd, but now there are no sheep. The hills are half-covered in plantations of firs- sitka spruce, he would never have heard of it. But he would have heard what I hear now – the meadow pipits, willow warblers, swallows. All of them, and the sound of the river, the White Esk, ever-flowing, dancing and burbling down the valley. My great-grandfather and me, walking the same land, then, now.
September
Rainbow over Newport Bay, North Pembrokeshire
I took on a challenge which was initially to walk 30 miles in the month in aid of Dementia UK. I decided to aim for 100 and in the end walked 134.5 miles – including some brilliant walks in West Wales – and, thanks to many people’s generosity, raised £1,255 for the charity. So pleased and proud and it’s inspired me to aim for a new walking challenge in 2024 – more of that in the New Year!
No writing really – walking was the most important thing for me in September.
The final part of my 2023 Snapshots series follows on 31 December.
The coming of Spring is always a joy – the variety of colours in the new leaves, and the blossoms. This is the acer in our garden.
In writing: Back to serious work on the next round of edits of my circus novel.
May
Laying in supplies for the Coronation
I’m not an ardent Royalist, by any means, but the coronation of King Charles was such a significant moment in our history, we had to watch it on TV. The music and the ceremonial were both extraordinary. We raised a glass!
In writing: Finished work on Draft 2 of my novel. And was delighted to have my short story , Spawn, published in Fictive Dream, an online magazine which I greatly respect.
June
St Antonin
Back to the English Bookshop in South-West France for a week, this time with my friend Katsy and also husband Oliver.
I am interrupting my series of snapshots of 2023 to bring you news of my new novella-in-flash. Copies have arrived unexpectedly early, so I will be able to start sending them out after Christmas!
After The Geography of the Heart was longlisted for the Bath Novella-in-Flash Award 2023, judge John Brantingham suggested other publishers I might try with the book. I was delighted when Arroyo Seco Press in California offered me publication.
This – like my other novellas – is the story of a family, this time set in my hometown of Abergavenny. featuring real places and events. The characters are fictional, but draw on my own experiences living here. I hope it will appeal to readers in Abergavenny, California and all places in between and beyond!
John Brantingham says of the book:
‘The Geography of the Heart is an exceptional collection, and Cath Barton uses the novella-in-flash form to do what could not be achieved so well in any other form, giving us an insider’s look at the way the people in a small town in Wales live. This is an intimate book and a beautiful one too. It is one I have lingered over a few times now because it asks us to spend some long quiet moments with the inhabitants of Abergavenny, and these are people worth spending time with.’
I am so grateful to John for his generous words, and to Thomas Thomas of Arroyo Seco Press for working with me to bring this book into the world.
UK readers can also buy it online here for £11.95. However you can get it directly from me for £9.50 incl p&p. (Multiple copies will be a little cheaper – contact me for details.)
I will also be handselling copies locally for £7. I am planning a launch in Abergavenny Library on Saturday, 20th January, where I will be in conversation with fellow local author Nigel Jarrett, reading extracts from the book and answering questions about it.
However you purchase it, I will be donating all profits which I make from sales of this book to Abergavenny Foodbank.
I post a photograph every day on https://www.blipfoto.com/Cathaber. It’s a wonderful visual diary. So here are some highlights of the year which is drawing to a close
January
Chinatown
First time in London for over 3 years. And met up with my very good friend Katsy for her birthday lunch.
In writing: I began reading entries for the Cheshire Novel Prize, something that would take up more and more of my time over the following months. It taught me a lot.
February
Coming round the mountain
Walking has been a very important part of my life this year. Here, with the Abergavenny Women’s Walking Group on Table Mountain. Also, longer and shorter walks with one or two friends.
Venice
Had to put in an extra photo to remember a very special trip with OB to Venice, a magical city.
In writing: Talked to a local WI about writing, but didn’t do much of it!
March
A new novella
Between the Virgin and the Sea. Published in Novella Express #3 by Leamington Books in Edinburgh.
In (new) writing: Started work on a substantial short story for the first time in ages.
Cath Barton 