Only Connect

Recently I wrote an introduction to a fascinating panel discussion on immigration in the UK held by the Royal Society of Literature under their umbrella Only Connect… Today’s Only Connect is from RSL Member Ali Thurm, who has chosen the recording of our event The Good Immigrant with Vahni Capildeo, Eva Hoffman and Nikesh Shukla discussing what it means to be an immigrant … More Only Connect

A new chapter?

Chapter 15 almost had me beaten. During August I had a couple of weeks away but printed off the chapter and carried it around with me as if being away from my desk would inspire me. It didn’t. Too much going on, too much melodrama and everybody ‘looking’ at everyone else as if it was … More A new chapter?

Cows and Corona

I’ve already tweeted about an adventure we had on holiday last week when, trying to cross a field back to our cottage we were cut off by a gang of curious bullocks. (Apologies that these are not the actual animals but at the time photos weren’t the top of our priorities.) I know they’re more … More Cows and Corona

“But that wasn’t how I remembered it…”

thank you so much, Joanna for this fab review! by Joanna Clark Ali Thurm’s debut novel, One Scheme of Happiness, is an extraordinary and extraordinarily skilled piece of story-telling. The narrator and main protagonist, Helen Farrish, at first seems almost deliberately dull and self-effacing; very matter-of-fact. In new-found freedom, following the death of the mother for … More “But that wasn’t how I remembered it…”

What a debut!

From the Waterstones website… I’m thrilled with this review of my novel. Thank you, Paul! Paperback edition    by Paul Barry Ali Thurm writes with delicate skill and mischievous wit to create a tale coloured with both the light and the shadow of passionate obsession. I found myself quickly sucked into the manoeuvrings of her gently drawn characters … More What a debut!

Writing update

Up and down week. The ups were: getting a five star Amazon review for One Scheme of Happiness – I’ve no idea who it was, but when things aren’t easy (lockdown isolation) the idea that someone out there has read and enjoyed my book gives me a little glow! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on … More Writing update

Writing update

When One Scheme of Happiness, my debut novel, was published at the end of February there was time for two launches – one in my daughter’s cafe The English Rose in Victoria, then a second one in Ealing where I live at a lovely independent bookshop The Pitshanger Bookshop. I was planning so much more… … More Writing update