This review of Violet first appeared in the American journal of the arts Cutthroat 24.

Quiet Courage                                      by Emma Claire Sweeney

The final novel in the Lavender Blues trilogy by British author Leslie Tate moves us beyond the earlier books’ explorations of free love, traditional courtship and open marriage into a lyrical and poignant meditation on late-life love. Continue reading ‘VIOLET’ REVIEWED BY EMMA CLAIRE SWEENEY →

Photographer James Gentle, interviewed by Leslie Tate, describes how he aims to capture people ‘at their natural best’ in his pictures. James runs Gentle Visions, a photographic business in Tring, Herts, UK, specialising in what he calls ‘Storytelling Photography’ – where he captures the authentic essence of his subject or tells the real story of an event or business.

Leslie: Where did your interest in photography come from? Continue reading GENTLE VISIONS: TELLING PHOTOGRAPHIC STORIES →

I interviewed author and poet Katie Munnik about what inspires her vividly-written stories. Katie‘s writings have appeared in The Cardiff Review, The Dangerous Women Project, Echoes of the City, and Geez Magazine. Her collection of short fiction, The Pieces We Keep was published by Wild Goose Publications, and her debut novel, The Heart Beats in Secret, is published by The Borough Press, a Harper Collins imprint.

Leslie: Can you expand on these phrases from your Twitter bio, please: ‘Knitter, Immigrant, Writer. Canadian Pilgrim’?
Continue reading KATIE MUNNIK – INVENTING STORIES TO FILL IN THE GAPS →

Chris Ogle talks to Leslie Tate about how Link4Growth, a not-for-profit networking organisation, supports personal, community and business growth. As Chris says: “Link4Growth could be considered a playground to try new things out in a supportive, nurturing environment without fear of being judged. Anything from sharing our own skills (presenting), taking responsibility for an event, public speaking, or even honing social media skills by helping out Link4Growth before applying to your own projects.” Continue reading LINK4GROWTH: EVERYTHING STARTS WITH CONVERSATION →

I interviewed ‘The Emergency Poet’ Deborah Alma about how she brings poetry to people, taking as her model a doctor’s consultation. Deborah is the editor of Emergency Poet – an anti-stress poetry anthology; The Everyday Poet – poems to live by; and #MeToo – an anthology rallying against sexual assault and harassment. Her writing residencies include the NHS conference in 2013 on Mental Health and Wellbeing, Southmead Hospital in Bristol and the Arvon Foundation in 2014. Continue reading THE EMERGENCY POET →

I interviewed novelist Ali Bacon about writing ‘creative history’ and her use of a male protagonist when writing for a women’s press. Ali’s third book, In the Blink of an Eye, is a ‘fictionalised biography’, aka ‘faction’, or ‘docudrama’, written about the Scottish Victorian photographer David Octavius Hill. Ali tells his story mostly through the eyes and voices of a number of women who have been largely overlooked by history. Continue reading WHAT’S THE TRUTH BEHIND HISTORICAL FICTION? →

Sacha Coward talks about his work in museums, including building ‘escape rooms’ and running family festivals as well as staging interactive exhibitions, films and events. Through innovative programming, Sacha aims to showcase ‘hidden histories’ and reach out to underrepresented audiences.

He says: “I believe museums and heritage create powerful places for social change. As part of this I am one of the chairs for the Museum Pride LDN group of heritage professionals who march for London Pride each year. I also co-chair the QueeringMuseums network and am a yearly Fun Palace builder, working with heritage sites to provide space and opportunities for communities every October.” Continue reading SACHA COWARD – MUSEUMS, ESCAPE ROOMS, MERMAIDS & CULTURAL COMMUNITIES →