I interviewed long-distance cyclist, Anna Hughes, about her rides across the UK and Europe, her books, her veganism, living on a houseboat and her organising role in  ‘Flight Free UK‘. Anna is a passionate environmentalist who campaigns for climate change awareness, and promotes an active, outdoor lifestyle.

Leslie: Tell us about your books. What have been the difficulties and the rewards of cycling for you?

Anna: My first book, ‘Eat Sleep Cycle’, is about my ten-week bike ride around the coast of Britain. It was an adventure I did back in 2011, and it was my first big bike ride. Even though I’ve been a cyclist my whole life, that was the first time I packed up my bags and set off on a proper adventure. It was a life-changing experience and really opened lots of doors afterwards; I would never have become an author without it, and I am fortunate enough to be offered sponsorship and events from time to time as a result. The adventure had it all – the most amazing scenery I had ever had the pleasure of seeing; battles with terrain and weather of course; self-discovery; massively improved fitness; aches and pains and sores! Continue reading ANNA HUGHES – CYCLING AND THE OUTDOOR LIFE →

I interviewed author and art blogger Katy Whim about her distinctive personal world that includes M.E., art, surrealism, anthropology, Dada, magical realism, spirituality, politics, environmentalism and meditative musings.

Katy’s writings have appeared in Shooter, Tasting Notes & Other Short Stories, Magic Oxygen and To Hull And Back anthologies and Earlyworks Press.

Leslie: How did your early life foreshadow and develop the wide range of creative/political/social interests you have today? Continue reading KATY WHIM – RADICAL ART, MAGIC REALISM and M.E. →

I interviewed Akpa Arinzechukwu, Nigerian writer photographer and social activist for queer rights. Akpa’s book of poems, City Dwellers, explores the intersections of religion, culture and sexuality in Nigeria. Akpa’s writing has appeared in Sou’wester, London Grip Poetry, Eastlit, ITCH, New Contrast. and reached the final of the Sophiamay Poetry Contest as well as the longlist of the Koffi Addo Prize for Creative Nonfiction.

Leslie: Your twitter handle is called ‘the outsider formerly known as akpa arinzechukwu’. What’s the story behind this unusual title, please? Continue reading AKPA ARINZECHUKWU – GENDER QUEER POET →

I interviewed Nancy Stevens, finalist for Best Radio Presenter 2018 and winner of the 2017 Milton Keynes Inspirational Award for her outstanding contribution to the arts. Born in Zimbabwe and now living in Milton Keynes, Nancy is an arts activist. She hosts ‘Stevens on Sunday’, a radio arts show, as well as writing theatre reviews, a monthly magazine column, lifestyle articles and, for many years, a style agony aunt column where she answered readers’ fashion dilemmas.

Leslie: Would you like to tell the story of your community radio show – how it came about, who you interview and your most memorable studio moments? Continue reading NANCY STEVENS – ARTS FM →

I interviewed Jane Rushton, an artist whose Scottish and Arctic landscapes capture a deep and subtle sense of innerness. I asked her about her trips to Greenland and Svalbard, her relationship to maps, geology and atmospheric scientists as well as to climate change. Jane also talked in depth about her ‘slow art’ and unique compositional methods.

Leslie: How has working as an artist in the Arctic regions changed you and your expressive work? Continue reading JANE RUSHTON’S ‘SLOW ART’ →

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 →