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On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their work. Here’s one from the rather wonderful Catherine Hall. The Story: The Repercussions is published by Alma Books. An Extract: Susie, I think I’m in trouble. I’m not in Kabul any more. I’m not in London either. I’m in Brighton. Trouble or not, there’s a comfort to being at the very end of England, on the coast, right where ground meets sea. I could find my exact location on…

On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their work. Here’s one from short story writer Catherine McNamara. The Story: ‘Pelt’, first published in Pretext magazine, is the title story of the collection Pelt and Other Stories (Indigo Dreams Publishing, 2013). An Extract: Rolfe triggers it. In the way that is the way of all men. In his case a type of athletic bragging ruined by the self-defeat he hangs his hat on. I feel a plock…

On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their work. Here’s one from poet and bookseller extraordinaire Jen Campbell.  The Poem: ‘Merlasses’ won 3rd place in the Plough Prize 2014 and was published here. An Extract: The lads pay to watch us. Caitlin’s pink and Tara’s red-burn cheeks, canny near blowin. We play at drowin. Plodge until wor lungs are blue. The Inspiration: I’ve noticed two main themes creeping into my poetry. (Like, literally, creeping. I can…

On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their stories. Here’s one from up-and-coming novelist Samuel Best. The Story: Shop Front was published by Fledgling Press this March. An Extract: “tanning salons, betting shops, offies, pubs, takeaways. That’s all Scotland is now. A fuckin’ wasteland, full of a few different ways to try and kill yourself, and who could fuckin’ blame you? The only ones not sucking shite in the gutter are the ones like you,…

On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their stories. Here’s one from speculative fiction novelist Roy Gill. The Story: Werewolf Parallel was published by Kelpies Teen/Floris Books. An Extract: Black paws on white snow… The ground beneath your pads is hard and crisp. Easy to slip on, so claws spread wide, but it’s firmer than the deeper drifts – more of a kickback from your hind legs – so you can go swift. Ears twitch, eyes…

On Thursdays, I invite my favourite writers to share the inspirations behind their work. Here’s one from poet Kathrine Sowerby. The Poem: ‘Záhrada’ was commended in the Wigtown Poetry Competition 2012 and published here. An Extract: In the film there is a man in a black and white garden. His face is round, framed by the small portable television balanced on the armchair. His chest is bare, his trousers are baggy. With a brush, heavy and dripping, he paints the…