Books / book launch
10 authors contribute to The Book of Bristol
The Book of Bristol is an anthology of 10 short stories from established writers and rising stars, mapping out the city in all its complexity.
It is edited by Joe Melia, who for many years as a bookseller, journalist, editor, and now coordinator of the Bristol Short Story Prize, has been integral to Bristol’s literary community, and writer, editor, producer and cultural programmer, Heather Marks.
“Celebrated for its creativity, communal spirit, and culture of resistance, Bristol is a city with a loud voice and progressive reputation,” notes the publisher, Comma Press – known for its popular Reading the City series. “But it’s also a city that has experienced division and inequality.
is needed now More than ever
“From the elusive angel who turns up at a stagnant café along the Malago River, to the jilted lover caught in the crosshairs of the police, the stories gathered here lean into the turbulent magic of Bristol.”
The featured authors include the multi-award winning Tessa Hadley, Magnus Mills and Helen Dunmore, and emerging voices, Sanjida Kay, Asmaa Jaa and Valda Jackson.
Helen Dunmore – photo: Caroline Forbes
Valda Jackson – photo: courtesy of Comma Press
Together, they cover a multitude of facets for a city, in contributing writer Shagufta K Iqbal’s words, “whose identity swings on a pendulum”.
There will be an official launch for the book at the Central Library, and other events planned at Spike Island and elsewhere later in the year (details and dates to be announced).
Sanjida Kay – photo: courtesy of Comma Press
Shagufta K Iqbal – photo: courtesy of Comma Press
The Book of Bristol, edited by Heather Marks and Joe Melia, is published by Comma Press on February 23. For more information, and to preorder, visit www.commapress.co.uk.
Main photo: Mark Vessey (Tessa Hadley)
Read more: The literary events enhancing Bristol’s indie bookshop scene
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
