Announcing Book Post

A new Itch of Writing section for writers and readers

Hello to all subscribers, supporters, super-supporters, followers and anyone who just happens to drop in! I hope all is well with your writing. I want you to be the first to know about an exciting new development for This Itch of Writing: the Book Post section.

Like all writers, I was a reader first and still go back to reading for rest, refuelling and working out writing problems. Like all teachers of writing I’m always going on about ‘reading like a writer’ for the same reasons - but it’s also important to stay in touch with reading ‘like a reader’. And although I don’t review professionally, like all authors I sometimes get sent new and forthcoming books.

So I’m delighted to have finally launched Book Post. In this special section I’ll be exploring books I’ve read, from the very old to the very new, through the Itch of Writing lens: what they are, why I enjoyed them, and why they could be useful to a writer.

Do note that when I say ‘exploring’, not every book I write about will be one I think is perfect, but I shall be focusing on its merits, not its failings. I honestly believe that we learn as much from thinking about how things are working, as how they’re not working - and besides, only the gods are perfect, and not all of them. On This Itch of Writing, imperfection is just part of the human creative condition. As Anne Enright puts it, ‘In the long run we’re all dead, and none of us is Proust’.

Obviously there are only a few posts there so far, but over the weeks and months it will build. If my post makes you want to read a book, any good library should be able to get hold of it - and if the author is alive and your library system is civilised, they should benefit from Public Lending Right or equivalent payment.

Having said that, this seemed a good moment to launching my new Itch of Writing Bookshop, based on bookshop.org which supports independent bookshops, authors and organisations. There you will find all the books I’ve already got lined up for future Book Posts, a few others that I am constantly recommending here, and my own books too. Each post will link to buy the book there, and if you do buy anything via links on the Itch, a small commission also helps to support the Itch - so thank you!

Practicalities:

All Book Post posts will be available on the Itch of Writing website to subscribers, supporters, super-supporters, followers and casual passers-by.

As with the main Itch of Writing, if you’re a subscriber you can also choose whether to have new Book Post posts emailed to you, or just read them online.

• New subscribers will automatically be subscribed to receive both emails. To change what you do and don’t receive just go to go to Settings > Subscriptions > pick This Itch of Writing and slide the toggles.

• Existing subscribers have not been automatically subscribed to receive Book Post emails, as I know lots of extra stuff in your inbox is irritating. If you would like to receive them, just go to go to Settings > Subscriptions > pick This Itch of Writing and slide the toggles.

• On the desktop version of Substack’s home page, the Book Post posts have their own special section, separate from the main Itch of Writing posts.

• On the Substack app, bless its clunky little heart, all the posts are just served up in order of posting.

I do hope you enjoy browsing in Book Post, and have a good weekend!