Arts Book Review: Born to Be Public by Greg Mania Taking us through his hook ups, sexual adventures, skirmishes with mental health and tender rejections of romance, a laugh out loud coming out story and his searching for reality and authenticity in a world which seems to be obsessed with image. By Eric Page • 1 min read
Prime minister Viktor Orban Arts Hungarian prime minister attacks LGBTQ+ inclusive children’s book Viktor Orban, prime minister of Hungary, has condemned an LGBTQ+ inclusive fairy tale book, saying the queer community need to “leave our children alone.” By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Arts Authors sign open letter in solidarity with the trans community World famous writers including Margaret Attwood, Stephen King and Neil Gaiman have signed an open letter in support of trans and gender non-conforming people. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
Arts Women’s prize for fiction nominee speaks out against cisnormativity Non-binary writer Akwaeke Emezi, longlisted for the women’s prize for fiction with her novel Freshwater, said they would no longer be submitting entries due to a lack of gender non-conforming inclusivity. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
Arts City Council backs local multicultural book project for schools Brighton & Hove City Council contributes £1,000 to the Multicultural School Book Fund – a fundraising campaign which aims to raise £64,000 to provide the 64 primary and secondary schools in Brighton & Hove with a box of books each. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Arts BOOK REVIEW: Throatbone by Simon Maddrell Brian Butler finds Brighton poet Simon Maddrell’s new book multi-layered and engaging By Brian Butler • 2 min read
Arts Book REVIEW: Things We Say in the Dark by Kirsty Logan The stories examine, from a women’s perspective, themes of life, fear, flesh and violence. Mothers, children, compromise, struggle. Logan’s forensic prose peeling back the skin of dreams to reveal the rawness below. The tension in them is palpable and the words slide into your imagination, uncoiling By Eric Page • 1 min read
Arts Book REVIEW: The Private Joys of Nnenna Malony by Okechukwu Nzelu Sharply observing the contradictions of modern urban life, sharing a delighted love of the city of Manchester, and of its weirdly adorable residents, Nzelu’s voice, original and so beautifully bold gives us insight into Nnenna’s world as she finds some answers, but unfurling more questions on race, By Eric Page • 1 min read
Arts FEATURE: Never lost for the right words Brian Butler talks to Jim McSweeney the driving force behind an iconic bookshop By Brian Butler • 4 min read
Arts Book REVIEW: Mama’s boy by Dustin Lance Black The book moved & touched me with its honesty approach to grief, loss and the difficulties of moving on. He holds up the real angels in his life, his brother and mother, both now dead. With a candour which is unsentimental but tender and embracing tells us their, and his story. By Eric Page • 2 min read
Arts Aké Festival to celebrate black excellence, resilience and resistance in October Festival to run online from Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, October 25 with a free programme of 65 inspiring talks, workshops, panel discussions and performances from the most exciting voices across Africa and the African Diaspora. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Books Nobel laureate refuses Polish honour due to LGBTQ+ rights debate 2018 Nobel Prize-winning writer Olga Tokarczuk has turned down the offer of honorary citizenship from Lower Silesia due to anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes in the area. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
