Fifteen specially commissioned essays from distinguished authors explore the place of the writer, past and present, the value of critical thinking, and the power of the written word. Their work articulates 'brave new words' at the heart of battles against limitations on fundamental rights of citizenship, the closure of national borders, fake news, and an increasing reluctance to engage with critical democratic debate. Contributors include Eva Hoffman, Romesh Gunesekera, Githa Hariharan, Ja...

Poet, playwright and novelist Blake Morrison evokes the lives of the Brontë sisters, with a nod to Chekhov's Three Sisters.Against the backdrop of a windswept northern village, three remarkable young women live their lives brightly.In Haworth in the 1840s, in a gloomy parsonage, where there are neither curtains nor comforts, Charlotte, Anne and Emily Brontë light up their world with outspoken wit, aspirations, dreams and ideas. And throughout their confined lives i...

In any 24 hours there might be sleeping, eating, kids, parents, friends, lovers, work, school, travel, deadlines, emails, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, the news, the TV, Playstation, music, movies, sport, responsibilities, passions, desires, dreams.Why should you stop what you're doing and read a book?Reading is not an innate human ability. Many people can't read. Many people would rather read a newspaper, a magazine, a blog, a cereal packet, than a novel.But peop...

An anthology released to raise funds for the NHS and UK Healtcare workers. Fifty-three stories, 253,000 words of fiction, including several pieces that are original to this volume. A treasury of stories from some of the finest writers of science fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, horror, and more.Introduction by Ian WhatesLast Contact – Stephen BaxterSlink-Thinking – Frances HardingeGossamer – Ian WhatesThe Feather Dress – Lisa TuttleThe...

'Lucid, tender and humane . . . One of the most formally agile and compassionate poets of our age’ Fiona BensonHere you are, on the balcony,the sea serenading you,the sun with its armful of light.In Afterburn, Blake Morrison returns to poetry, his first calling, to offers scenes from his own life and the lives of others. In psychology, 'afterburn' refers to the time before a past event is assimilated – an id...

In recent years Seamus Heaney has earned the reputation of being ‘the most important Irish poet since Yeats’. In this book, originally published in 1982, Blake Morrison identifies the central characteristics of his achievement, uncovering the sources of Heaney’s poems, placing his work within both Irish and Anglo-American traditions and explaining his poetry’s complex relation to the political troubles in Northern Ireland. A lively, personal and carefully researched account by a writer who...

The use of creative writing as a route to personal development is a powerful therapeutic tool - a fact that is recognized in the growing numbers of workshops and writing groups within professional contexts, including clinical, health and criminal justice settings.Writing Works is a guide for writers or therapists working with groups or individuals and is full of practical advice on everything from the equipment needed to run a session to ideas for themes, all backed up by the theor...

Conquer tech anxiety and master the future of work with this empowering guide to artificial intelligence. Transform your daily commute into a high-yield learning session as you separate science fiction hype from the algorithms currently shaping your reality. Step confidently into the modern digital landscape equipped with a grounded, clear-eyed understanding of today's most disruptive technology.Whether you are navigating a mid-career transition or figuring out how to raise tech-sa...

Overcome procrastination and achieve massive personal development through the psychology of effortless habit formation. When burnout and overwhelm hijack your busy lifestyle, relying on sheer willpower is a losing battle. Instead of forcing drastic routines, gently rewire your brain during your daily commute to build unstoppable momentum.This empowering roadmap shifts your mindset from stressful perfectionism to hopeful, sustainable growth. By shrinking your desired behaviors into ...

Break free from scarcity and build wealth on a normal salary with this straight-talking personal finance guide. Perfect for your daily commute, this empowering audio journey dismantles the invisible money scripts you inherited from your family and neighborhood. Stop believing financial independence is only for the elite and start taking control of your economic future today.Transform your financial identity without betraying your roots or adopting fake social media personas. By mas...

Turn a struggling side hustle into a profitable digital business with this actionable content creation blueprint. If you are exhausted from uploading videos to an empty void or seeking a realistic exit from the 9-to-5 grind, you need practical strategies over vague motivation. Step into an empowering, high-energy roadmap designed for both complete beginners and frustrated digital entrepreneurs.Stop guessing what the algorithm wants and start engineering binge-worthy videos that dri...

Master the volatile stock market and build real wealth with a disciplined, step-by-step day trading strategy. Perfect for your morning commute, this honest audio course transforms absolute beginners into focused, strategic investors. Stop gambling your hard-earned capital and start approaching financial charts with clear eyes and professional risk control.Protect your financial future while navigating high-stakes price action, complex broker platforms, and unpredictable trends. By ...