2014CE has begun in the most positive of ways: the literary journal Storylandia (which published The Falling Man a while back and which includes The Ferocious Night in its Spring 2014 issue) is moving to single author issues later this year and seems keen to do one featuring my work. The plan would possibly be to publish the novelette Theophany plus a selection of short stories. I wrote a lot last year and have a couple of stories that I’ve been holding back for… Something. Perhaps this is what I was waiting for. This project is immensely exciting but it’s not a done deal – but whatever the outcome, thanks to editor Ginger Mayerson for having such faith in what I do.
This changes my plans for the next while at least: I want to make sure I’m completely happy with the stories I’ll be submitting and so the two stories I’m currently working on (Rebecca Shadow and another new one, Completion) will have to be put aside for now. The interview with Ellyott Ben Ezzer has been delayed while she organises a house move, but I’ll continue and complete the article as soon as Ellyott’s back in touch.
Stargazing in my part of town is now a little easier: the huge lights that the local supermarket were flooding the area with, all night every night, have now been switched off after the shop closes each evening. After a long while of inertia and assuming that no one ever listens to complaints, I emailed the supermarket’s head office and asked if the lights could be dimmed or, preferably, switched off. Light pollution and wasted energy are two issues this particular supermarket would probably claim to be interested in, ethically speaking, so it’s great to see them backing up their slogans. Such actions are tiny steps but nevertheless worthwhile.
And, inspired by events taking place at the BFI, I’ve also asked the Penwith Film Society if they’ve any plans to mark the 20th anniversary of Derek Jarman’s death with some of his films. They’re keen to do so, if some are available in digital format – apparently many cinemas no longer own film projectors. I’d love to see a selection of Jarman’s stuff – both full-length and shorts – again. He’s been a huge influence on me over the years and, for the wider world, events like this should not be confined to London.
LEVANTHIA 