Sterile Jets “No Gods No Loss” | Music Profile

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

Band/Artist: Sterile Jets
Location: Long Beach, California
Styles: Noise Rock, Old School Metal, Punk, Post Hardcore
Similar to/RIYL: Melvins, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Butthole Surfers, Shellac
CD: No Gods No Loss
Release date: May 4 2017

Accolades: Toured Northern California May 2015.

Members/Instruments:
Robert Bly Moore: Guitar / Vocals
Wm B.ILL Partnoff: Bass / Vocals
GS Bean : Drums

Production: Produced by Bil Lane and Sterile Jets

Tracklisting:

The Arsonist
Rehabilitated Truth
Go Out And Bleed
Piss On Your God
Soliloquy Of A Heartbroken Loner
Fireside Drive (first single/video)
White Satan
A Sterile Existence
Free Pork Bougie
Olive Spoil

http://sterilejets.com

Bio and About the Album:

Sterile Jets make music that doesn’t conform to a single style or genre, with lyrics that mirror the struggles the band, and their fans, confront on a daily basis. The band – singer/guitarist Robert Bly Moore, singer/bass player Wm. Partnoff and drummer GS Bean – is a true democracy. They compose and arrange every song to bring out its best elements, delving deeply into punk, post rock, jazz and metal, with stimulating side trips into rockabilly, grunge and even pop. The result is a winning combination of noise and melody, romanticism and irony, love and anger that captures the complexities of everyday American life. Those looking for music steeped in the courage, honesty and energy of punk’s primal explosion will find it in the uncompromising sounds of the Sterile Jets.

Stoner Punk, Art Punk, “Rebel Noise Rock,” call it what you will, but there is no denying that the brand of caterwauling that STERILE JETS (SJs) produces is absolutely FUCK YEAH! Formed in year nine, after the break-up of Bass’r B. ILL’s former band Dynamic Ribbon Device, B. ILL set forth to start a band that would ultimately satisfy his artistic needs. He went straight to the to the Internet (Craig’s List to be more specific), to complete his conquest. After a few revolving members, the band became the complete trio, it is now, in 2012. The lineup includes: Robert “Bly” Moore (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Wm. “B. ILL” Partnoff (Electric Bass/Vocals) and Matthew Bean… “Bean” (Trap Set). SJs self describes their unsettling sound as if Sonic Youth fucked the Velvet Underground and had an unruly Black Flag baby. Other influences for the band are Rudimentary Peni, McLusky, Ponys, Husker Du and Dead C. Also, the band has covered songs from Fang and Flipper. SJs also take influences from the literature and art scene, such as Charles Bukowski, William S Burroughs and Raymond Pettibon. Drawing from life experiences, dive bars, drug abuse and the absurd hypocrisies of civilization, SJs music has been described as original, jarring, loud, noisy and weird. The current incarnation of SJs have been gigging in Southern California for nearly a year, focusing on the Long Beach and Orange County areas. Venues the SJs rocked include Fern’s Cocktails (Long Beach), Harold’s Place (San Pedro), the defunct Puka Bar (Long Beach) and The 2010 OC Punk Rock Picnic (Irvine).

No Gods No Loss was co-produced by Sterile Jets and audio engineer Bil Lane, a close friend of the band. “We wanted the raw sound of a live show,” Moore continues. “Except for the vocals, the album was recorded over a long weekend, with everything stripped down to the basics. We spent more time writing, arranging and refining the songs this time. Bil has a ton of expertise and a laid back attitude. He gave us the freedom to make the music sound how we wanted it to sound.”

“Fireside Drive,” the album’s first single, contrasts the band’s quieter, more melodic side with their love of distortion. Melodic bass and guitar introduce Moore’s playful, seductive vocal before flipping the switch into an interlude of grinding distortion. By alternating between quiet passages and jolts of noise, the band amplifies the passionate yearning of the lyric. The song builds to a beautifully chaotic climax, complete with a few random quotes from Voltaire about the exploitation of the working class.

“Rehabilitated Truth” opens and closes with screeching feedback from Moore’s guitar. Bean’s galloping drums play variations on a fractured samba rhythm that pushes the guitar and bass in all kinds of twitchy directions. Moore’s growling half spoken vocal plunges into a maelstrom of hopelessness that reflects the agony of a dying relationship.

“Olive Spoil” is a sonic assault drenched in grimy guitar overtones, free form bass lines and out of control drumming. Its random tempo changes, unexpected bursts of silence and rapid shifts between noise and melody suggests some unholy combination of Hendrix and Motörhead. Partnoff’s rolling, bluesy bass and Bean’s rock steady drumming support Moore’s mixed down vocals on “Free Pork Bougie” before the tone shifts with a slow, roaring avalanche of earsplitting distortion. The mood swings of the music hint at the tension between the 1% and the country’s working class. “We’re dealing with job loss, expensive or non-existent education and not knowing how we’re going to pay rent,” Moore says. “The rich and powerful are just playing a game.” Beat writer Charles Bukowski inspired “Go Out and Bleed,” a slow, straight-forward, metallic rocker with grim, surrealistic lyrics and an impressive display of Moore’s guitar pyrotechnics. Partnoff’s noisy bass opens “White Satan” as Moore’s guitar provides a shower of quiet, playful arpeggios before moving into sinister, doom rock territory. With the help of Partnoff’s descending bass, Bean’s ponderous backbeat, Moore’s massive power chords and Partnoff’s harsh, snarling vocal, the song shatters the tenets of the conservative agenda.

“Our inspiration comes from what’s going on around us,” Moore says. “This record was written during a point of collective turmoil. We were grappling with chaos, the death of close friends and toxic relationships. That uncertainty comes out on the record. The songs have more anger and darkness this time around, but we don’t write with preconceived notions of what it’s going to sound like. We just do our best to give you something that’s truly us at that moment.”

Wm. Partnoff was born in the LA suburb of Whittier. He was inspired to pick up the bass by Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris. After spending years playing in bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, he moved to Long Beach in 2008. GS Bean started drumming to combat his extreme ADHD, but didn’t get serious about music until he was 19. His love for politically and socially progressive bands like England’s Subhumans profoundly influenced his life and taste in music. After finding Partnoff through Craig’s List, the duo searched for a guitar player and found Robert Moore, who’d just moved out from Indianapolis. His desire to blur boundaries and play whatever he felt, as loud as he could, clicked with the newly formed band’s vociferous, anything goes outlook.

“If you listen to our last record, and compare it to No Gods, you can hear our evolution,” Moore says. “We’ve found our voice and gelled into a tight band. We’re always working to stretch ourselves, and do something different and No God sees us exploring new time signatures, new rhythms, new lyrical ideas. We’re constantly challenging ourselves to be better.”

As Mother’s Day Approaches:

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Margaret Graham

Time to start thinking what we might like. I say we, because you never know, my kids could be reading this.

I have just read a belter of a novel out in hardback on 9^th March, so put it on your list and do not forget.

The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley has a jacket which yells – sunshine. It covers adult daughter, and ‘life begins again’ parents.

Faye has just completed her degree in interior design, and is tempted to house sit for friends in Sardinia. Somehow or other, she is hooked into designing a theatre. How? Ah…

Her parents, toddling about in Dorset are feeling that they, too, could stretch their wings, and fly. Is there going to be a meeting of minds, or a clash? Give it to your mum and she can find out.

Much more serious but fascinating. Couldn’t put it down:

The Making of India: The untold story of British Enterprise by Kartar Lalvani

Not a beach read, let’s be honest, but a balanced and fair look at the British in India, a mile away from the banging and crashing and blaming that so often accompanies any look back at the British in the continent.

Lalvani explores how the subcontinent benefited in many ways, starting at the beginning, in the seventeenth century and moving on through the colonial rule. He discusses how the British unified and restored a fragmented country of many kingdoms. Of course, the Brits were not without fault, but this history looks at the institutional, political, and civil benefits embedded by us. Fascinating.

How about a frankly scary thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author of I am Death.

The Caller by Chris Carter is not one to read in bed, tell Mum. On the other hand, if she starts it in the afternoon there’ll be no tea for anyone, and she just won’t want to put it down after her Horlicks, or maybe she’s one of us, and we’re talking wine.

Tanya Kaitlin steps out of her shower prior to bed. The phone rings. The video call request comes from her best friend. Tanya takes the call. No, no, no. Because the nightmare begins.

Who wants to see images of their best friend gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room? Tanya doesn’t but must continue to watch or the predator will come for her next.

Not sure mum will be keen on answering a phone again, or flirting with social media. But she won’t be able to put this one down until she knows what’s what.

On a lighter note.

Cathy Kelly made me laugh in Secrets of a Happy Marriage.

With echoes of the aga saga which I gather is now a politically incorrect term, (for heaven’s sake – so use it I will), it is amusing too.

It’s all about a special birthday party. I had one of those, and arrived at the pub with my age roared out loud and clear on banners for all to know. It was not my best moment, as I have always skirted round the truth. Retribution I suppose.

Of course, with generations of Brannigans congregating in Cathy Kelly’s clever novel, some secrets are bound to emerge, some cracks in relationships might become hard to disguise, but… but… will something happen to bring the sunshine out on the whole proceedings? Ah… Give it to Mum and then borrow it and you’ll find out.

The Little Theatre by the Sea by Rosanna Ley. Quercus. pub 9^th March. hb £19.99 and pb 1st June.

The Making of India by Kartar Lalvani Bloomsbury hb £25.00

The Caller by Chris Carter by Simon and Schuster. hb £12.99

Secrets of a Happy Marriage by Cathy Kelly Hb and ebook. Orion 9 March. £14.99

The Business Of Books: Writing In Balance

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Jane Cable

Author Nikki Moore tells Jane Cable why she never quite wants to give up her day job.

How much of your working life does the business of books take up?

The honest answer is, quite a bit, but not as much as I’d like. I have a full-time HR day job, so writing has to slot around that, as well as my children. Of course there’s also seeing my boyfriend, friends and family, housework, food shopping etc. I have the same commitments as everybody else. I’ve had to be very disciplined and maketime to write. I set several evenings a week aside and also write on weekends; I watch a lot less TV than I used to (although my boyfriend and I are newly addicted to The Walking Dead). When I’m working under deadline – 2015 was a busy year as I delivered five novellas and a 100,000 word novel for the #LoveLondon series – I write any spare moment I can, whether it’s during lunch breaks or into the early hours of the morning. As well as working on manuscripts, I also have to promote my books so I blog when I can, as well as tweeting and Facebook posting regularly.

I used to want to give up the day job to write full-time, but I’ve realised I need to be around people in order to write believable characters and compelling storylines, so now the dream is to scale back the day job to 1-2 days a week and write the rest of the time.

What’s your business model to earn a living from writing?

I’m not a best-selling author – I hope to be one day – although I’ve sold more books than I ever imagined I would when I started out. However, like many authors, I don’t earn enough to give up the day job yet; my HR career pays the bills. So my business model is to stay passionate and keep working hard to write the best books I can for my readers, get them published, earn good reviews, promote my books through as many forms of media as possible, interact with my audience including bloggers, build networks… and cross my fingers for luck.

What do you write and what do you consider to be your major successes?

I write romantic fiction and am hoping to move into women’s commercial fiction. In terms of successes, before being published I was a finalist in several writing competitions including the RNA’s Elizabeth Goudge trophy (judged by the fabulous Katie Fforde) and Novelicious Undiscovered. Some of the #LoveLondon novellas have been in the Top 100 short story charts on Kobo and Top 20 in the Amazon UK bestsellers Holiday chart. Having a short story in the bestselling RNA/Mills & Boon anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply alongside best-sellers like Adele Parks, Miranda Dickinson and Carole Matthews was amazing. My debut novel Crazy, Undercover, Love was shortlisted for the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and Valentine’s on Primrose Hillshortlisted for a Love Stories award. But there are other measures of success too; the thrill of a message from a reader telling me they stayed up until 2.00 a.m. to read my book and cried when it was over; being interviewed by my local paper; being asked to co-tutor a workshop with my aunt Sue Moorcroft at Purbeck Literary Festival last year. And sometimes, just finishing a book is a success.

Tell me about your latest project.

I’m currently finishing revisions on a women’s commercial fiction book I’ve been working on in the background for several years. I can’t say much, other than people who enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love or Me Before You, or The Fault in Our Stars may enjoy it. I’m also working on an outline for another exciting project. One thing is for sure; whether its revisions or writing something new, as long as I’m writing, I’m happy.

Nikki Moore is a Dorset girl and social media addict who loves reading and writing. Published mainly by HarperImpulse, she is the author of the #LoveLondon series. A member of the Romantic Novelists Association, she is a firm supporter of aspiring writers and is always happy to share her writing experiences. She encourages readers to get in touch too!

THEATRE REVIEW by Paul Vates

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Margaret Graham

The Lock In by Joseph Cullen at The Vaults, London SE1

“ The atmosphere fizzes as people jostle to find the right theatre space…”

Waterloo Station is right above your head, but you wouldn’t know it – apart from the odd grumble of a train – because The Vaults, deep beneath the station, are just as busy. If not busier.

It is gloomy down here, the lighting reminiscent of a futuristic film, but there is a buzz. The atmosphere fizzes as people jostle to find the right theatre space: Pit, Cage, Crescent, Studio, Cavern, Jazz Bar, Network Theatre. Performances occur simultaneously in all the spaces and there is a frisson of controlled panic about the place.

We found the bar easily enough, but the queue was annoying. Funny how no one seemed to be aware there is another bar directly above – and it was empty! We could smell the food of the restaurant, but had no idea where it was. The Vaults have created a whole evening for the discerning public – a bit of theatre/music/comedy, a drink or three, a place to eat.

The Lock In was one hour long – getting kicked out of the space so another performance could step in. Its slot being 6.15-7.15pm. It’s a veritable Edinburgh Festival down here…

We were ushered into a wriggly line outside The Pit and, finally, the doors opened. A little confusion – adding to the event – as we sought a free bench. Then the brilliant music stopped to allow the ‘theatre’ to begin. It is immersive and in your face: it is St. Patrick’s Day and we’re all locked in the pub. Tipsy and over-friendly Eamonn tells us the forgotten Irish tale of Niall and the Nine Hostages, using members of the audience to represent a variety of characters. His journey leads him inevitably to more drink until, by the end, inebriated, he plays and sings with the band.

[Emmy Stonelake, Andy Burse, Rory Quinn and Ian Horgan in rehearsal]

Eamonn, played by Ian Horgan, is affable enough, but somehow lacked the twinkle-in-the-eye of the drunk Irish storyteller that he was aiming to be. His many lapses in concentration led him to openly admit he had no idea what came next – at one point asking the band to play a song to cover, which of course they did.

It all added to the rough and ready occasion. Because, at the end of the day, who cares? Sinead O’Callaghan’s relaxed direction allows it to be funny and informative. The sometimes improvised banter between the musicians and Eamonn felt genuine enough. Special praise here to Andy Burse, playing Dave, on percussion. His persistent, dim-witted but heartfelt interruptions were perfect. The aforementioned band also including poster boy Rory Quinn, Emmy Stonelake and Eddy Massarella created a wonderfully vibrant live Irish sound in the bricked and cavernous archway.

Over The Limit Theatre have been at The Vault Festival all week, presenting a Celtic Season. The Witch’s Mark and Siren being their other two shows. One has a feeling that it has all been thrown together at short notice, which brings with it a certain charm and energy. But it does make one wonder how brilliant it could all be with just a little more precision.

Venue: The Vaults, Waterloo Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN

Venue Contact: www.thevaults.london

Over The Limit Theatre

Contact: Oran Doyle, oran.overthelimit@gmail.com or 07533431919

Facebook: /OLTTheatre

Twitter: @OTLTheatre

Instagram: @overthelimittheatre

How, What & Where Of Men’s Casual Clothing

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Frostie

You’re likely to wear casual clothes among friends because people you know won’t judge you – they already know who you are. Casual clothing tend to be relatively inexpensive which gives you more freedom, when you’re wearing them, to do spontaneous activities without worrying that they will get dirty.

There are lots of options when it comes to casual clothing, depending on just how chilled out you want to feel. At one end of the spectrum there are joggers and hoodies and at the other end there are jeans and t-shirts. You’re more likely to go to the gym and do things around the home in your most casual state. However, you wouldn’t necessarily want to be seen out in the pub in your trackies but you can do just about anything in jeans and a t-shirt.

The beauty of going casual is that you’re free to do whatever you want without worrying. If your day does turn into a spontaneous night out, you might want to consider throwing a bomber jacket over your casual outfit to spruce things up and give your outfit that sharper edge.

Black gives the impression of an instant slim down and you’ll find it easy to piece together as you don’t have to match different colours. Try a leather biker jacket combined with a simple black t-shire and a pair of slim fit black jeans. Finally, to tie the whole outfit together wear some dark brown boots – voila you’re casual but suave and you can go anywhere from the sofa to the club and still look good.

Other casual go-to items include denim shirts and checked shirts worn over a plain t-shirt, this layering gives outfits a more interesting angle. GQ has recently suggested that the latest weekend shirt is the western version of a denim shirt – “worn with black jeans or smart trousers and lace-up boots has the same rugged appeal as a traditional denim or check flannel western shirt, without being quite so cowboy.”

Looking at celebrity style, David Beckham is the master of casual clothing, slightly aided by his great looks, Becks gets it right every time. One look that stands out is the all black everything, downtime attire you will sometimes see Beckham papped in. Despite his reputation for great style, Beckham’s fashion comes from buying clothes that he likes, as he once said, “I like nice clothes, whether they’re dodgy or not” it just shows that if you’re confident in what you’re wearing, you can pretty much pull off anything!

By Patrick Vernon

Frost Loves: Slydes

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Catherine Balavage

Frost loves Slydes – Functional and super stylish footwear for summer.

Spring may have just started, but the weather is getting better and summer will be here soon, dammit. So lets get excited and buy our footwear now. I have been reviewing these Slydes. They are comfy and they look fab. Founded in 2014 and launching its first collection for Spring Summer 2015, the SLYDES brand offers an exciting range of pool slides for the fashion forward. The pool slide, once reserved for the use of sporty types and swimmers alone, is now the ultimate footwear choice of the Summer. I tend to agree. Minimum fuss with maximum stylish. That is what we all need.

£15-£22.

http://slydes.co.uk/

London Book & Screen Week 2017 unveils programme that goes from Hogwarts to Hygge in celebration of books

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Frostie

David Nicholls, Roddy Doyle and Michael Morpurgo headline the seven-day festival

A Soho awards night with David Nicholls, a very special Harry Potter screening at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London and conversations with Michael Morpurgo and Roddy Doyle lead the eclectic line-up of this year’s London Book & Screen Week (13-19 March 2017).

Produced by The London Book Fair, the seven-day, citywide festival celebrates books – and the films, games, plays and TV programmes they inspire – shining the spotlight on the critical role books play in our creative industries. This year’s programme celebrates the 20^th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and 200 years since the death of Jane Austen.

David Nicholls, one of the UK’s leading figures in literature, TV and film, will champion the specially curated programme of events as the Ambassador of this year’s London Book & Screen Week. Roddy Doyle will be in conversation at House of St Barnabas – thirty years after the publication of his novel The Commitments.

St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London will be the spellbinding setting for a very special Harry Potter film screening. All-star comedy troupe Austentatious will return to Leicester Square Theatre to perform an improvised show based on audience suggestions. The show will be preceded by a panel of special guests from the literary world, who will divulge and share their own love for Jane Austen’s work.

Acclaimed children’s author Michael Morpurgo will be in conversation with Owen Sheers, and Deborah Moggach will introduce a screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which was adapted from her novel These Foolish Things.

With Britain in the grip of Hygge fever, Waterstones Piccadilly are putting on a Scandi crime screening, and bringing together Hygge experts Bronte Aurell (The Scandi Kitchen), Signe Johansen (How to Hygge), Louisa Thomsen Brits(The Book of Hygge) and Trine Hahnemann (Scandinavian Comfort Food) to provide wisdom on how to live more Danishly.

The fitness stars of Instagram – who have become publishing sensations – come together for a talk about fitness in the digital age: Faya Nilsson (Fitness on Toast), James Exton (LDN Muscle) and Alice Living (Clean Living Alice).

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon Polari returns once again to The Light Lounge in Soho for a night of chat and cocktails hosted by Paul Burston, with joyous readings from Sophia Blackwell, Christopher Fowler and VG Lee. The Irish Literary Society are hosting a bumper series of events to showcase some of Ireland’s finest writers.

Jacks Thomas, Director of The London Book Fair and London Book & Screen Week, said:

“It’s wonderful to be working with partners across London to celebrate writers and their work in all its different formats. The line-up of this year’s London Book & Screen Week once again demonstrates the range and depth of London’s creative talent, and how vital books are for all our creative industries.

In 2017, we are particularly proud to present the CAMEO awards in their inaugural year. The Creativity Across Media: Excellence and Originality Awards will identify the individuals who create some of the most successful film, stage, TV and game adaptations, telling inspiring, gripping, life-transforming stories here and across the globe.”

London Book & Screen Week is run in partnership with some of the capital’s highest-profile brands, including London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional company for London, which attracts businesses and visitors to the capital and operates VisitLondon.com, the official city guide for London.

The launch night at Soho House, central London (13 March), will also see the awards ceremony for the inauguralCreativity Across Media: Entertainment & Originality Awards (CAMEO).

The festival combines specially curated events with an open sourced strand that anyone can submit to online at www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk. To find out more, and book event tickets, visit www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk.

LONDON BOOK & SCREEN WEEK 2017

Programme Highlights

Monday 13 March

AUSTENTATIOUS: A SPECIAL EDITION

At Leicester Square Theatre – 7 pm

Austentatious returns to its London home in resplendent fashion. In this special edition, powered by London Book & Screen Week, enjoy a pre-show ample with some special guests from the literary world as they divulge and share their own love for Austen’s work. Panellists include Oxford professor and Jane Austen expert Kathryn Sutherland (Teenage Writings), a member of the Austentatious cast, and more.

Tickets: £12.50: https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/#/shows/873569690

POLARI LITERARY SALON

At The Light Lounge, Soho – 6.30 pm

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon returns once again to The Light Lounge in Soho for London Book & Screen Week. Polari began in November 2007 in the upstairs room of a pub in Soho. It is now based at the Southbank Centre, where events are held every month. It tours regularly across the country, and hosts Polari Prize for Fiction, an award handed annually to the best first book by an LGBT author in the UK.

Tickets £5: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/polari-soho-special-tickets-31751988051

Tuesday 14 March

LIVING DANISHLY: AN EVENING OF COSINESS AND SCANDI CRIME

At Waterstones Piccadilly – 6 pm

London Book & Screen Week is collaborating with Waterstones Piccadilly to put on a special film screening, followed by a How to Hygge discussion with Hygge experts Louisa Thomsen Brits (The Book of Hygge), Bronte Aurell (The Scandi Kitchen), Signe Johansen (How to Hygge) and Trine Hahnemann (Scandinavian Comfort Food). Light refreshments will be provided.

Tickets £5: https://www.waterstones.com/events/living-danishly-an-evening-of-cosiness-and-scandi-crime/london-piccadilly

AN EVENING WITH RODDY DOYLE

At The House of St Barnabas – 7 pm

Roddy Doyle is the author of eleven novels, two collections of stories, two books of dialogues and Rory & Ita, a memoir of his parents. He has written seven books for children and has contributed to a variety of publications including The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Metro Eireann and several anthologies. He won the Booker Prize in 1993, for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.

Tickets £15: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-roddy-doyle-tickets-31889474276

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL: A VERY SPECIAL SCREENING

At The Charlotte Street Hotel – 6.30 pm

This screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will be preceded by a special interview with Deborah Moggach, whose novel These Foolish Things, was adapted into the hit film. Deborah’s latest novel, Something to Hide, is set in Beijing, Texas, a fictitious African country and Pimlico. She will be talking about the meaning of settings and the writer’s view behind adaptations with the biographer, lecturer, and journalist Anne Sebba, author of nine critically acclaimed books of non-fiction, most recently Les Parisiennes, about Paris from 1939-49 through women’s eyes.

Tickets £18.43: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-a-very-special-screening-tickets-31827938220

Wednesday 15 March

MICHAEL MORPURGO IN CONVERSATION

At Bush Hall, Shepherds Hall

Michael Morpurgo, OBE, is the former Children’s Laureate and best-selling author of over 140 books, including Private Peaceful, Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Butterfly Lion, and War Horse, which first performed at the National Theatre in 2007. In this exclusive London Book & Screen Week event, Michael will be joined by Owen Sheers, author, poet and playwright, as they delve into the world of adaptions. This intimate dialogue will see the prolific authors discuss what it means to see the words and world you so carefully composed being lifted from the page and onto the stage and beyond.
Tickets £17.05: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-story-books-screen-stage-michael-morpurgo-talks-narrative-adaptation-with-owen-sheers-tickets-31991195527

FROM FIGHTING FANTASY TO THE WITCHER: HOW NARRATIVE DESIGN IN GAMING ENHANCES STORYTELLING
At BAFTA – 6.30 pm

In the world of storytelling, gaming is unique. Giving over control, it allows gamers to define their own journey within a malleable landscape. This inspires a new growing generation of storytellers in the 21st century across all media. With video game sales in the UK at an all-time high – what is the next chapter? And what is gaming’s mandate as a creative platform in the world of storytelling? Join us for a panel discussion featuring Ian Livingstone, co-creator of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of the Witcher novels, the writer and digital producer Meg Jayanth, and Chris Gardiner, Narrative Director at Failbetter Games.

Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Thursday 16 March

OLGA TOKARCZUK AND DEBORAH LEVY

At London Review Bookshop – 7 pm

One of the most acclaimed Polish writers of her generation, Olga Tokarczuk has won multiple prizes, most recently for her novel The Books of Jacob, which explores an important moment in 18th-century Polish history. Two recent novels, The Books of Jacob and Flights, will shortly be published, for the first time in English, by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Tokarczuk will be in conversation with The Man Booker shortlisted novelist Deborah Levy.

Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Friday 17 March

IRISH LITERARY SOCIETY

At Bloomsbury Hotel

The Irish Literary Society are putting on three events at the Bloomsbury Hotel specially for London Book & Screen Week. The Irish Literary Society was established in London in 1892. Among its founders were W B Yeats and Douglas Hyde and other leaders of the Irish Literary Revival.

The object of the Society is to promote the appreciation of Irish literature and culture and to provide a forum for intellectual and social activities in connection with these interests.
Tickets available soon: http://www.londonbookandscreenweek.co.uk/events/

Saturday 18 March

FITNESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

At SF Studios, Hampstead – 10 am

Now that we’re all making a #fitspo to spread #motivation to our #fitfam, ‘Fitness in Our Digital Age’ will bring together some of the biggest stars in the fitness scene who have built dedicated followings on Instagram and blogs such as Fitness on Toast. In the tranquil setting of SF Studios, north London’s leading movement studio, we host a unique panel discussions featuring an amazing line-up including fitness expert Faya Nilsson and the co-founder of LDN Muscle, James Exton. Their discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signings.

Tickets £13.25: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fitness-in-a-digital-age-tickets-31997576613

Sunday 19 March

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF HARRY POTTER: FILM SCREENING AT ST PANCRAS RENAISSANCE HOTEL LONDON

At St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London– 6 pm

Grown up Potter fans, rejoice: London Book & Screen Week are putting on a Harry Potter film screening in the spellbinding St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London. Celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in a setting straight out of Hogwarts. Expect free popcorn on arrival and themed cocktails at the bar. Wands, wizarding robes, hats and broomsticks are welcome.

Tickets: £18.43: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrate-20-years-of-harry-potter-film-screening-at-st-pancras-renaissance-hotel-london-tickets-31874274814

Four Bs – caring for someone with an Eating Disorder

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Tracy Baines

There’s a lot of information and advice out there for those caring for someone with an eating disorder, and in doing everything you can to take care of them, you may forget to be kind to yourself. But you are important too. If you don’t take look after yourself who is going to take care of them while you languish in a hospital bed?

But you are important too. If you don’t take look after yourself who is going to take care of them while you languish in a hospital bed?

Not taking care of myself when my child was ill had a knock-on effect on my own mental health. In the end, I needed counseling too – not only due to her illness but an accumulative effect – that I didn’t deal with things when I should have done. Bad, bad habit. Naughty mummy.

I like keeping things simple and caring for someone is both tiring and emotionally draining. I don’t want to end this week of articles with a long list of instructions, of dos and don’ts.

So here are a few things to remember as you get through your days in helping your child, partner, friend or sibling back to health.

Be aware

Remember that it’s a mental health issue. Once you grasp this it puts everything else into perspective. It’s no good telling someone with depression how lucky they are, how clever, how pretty. It doesn’t work. It’s the same with eating disorders. It’s no good saying ‘It’s simple, just eat‘. It’s not. It’s like climbing Everest. There is no rhyme or reason to their behaviour, because it’s a mental health issue.

Be quick

Get help fast. Statistics show that those who get early intervention recover more quickly. If you suspect someone has an eating disorder go to your GP. If you don’t get any joy check out the information on the B-eat website.

Be a squeaky wheel

There are so many great GPs out there – ours were spectacular in the way they supported my daughter throughout her illness. So many parents are not so fortunate. I have heard many stories of numerous trips to the doctors, paperwork going walkabout, no referrals. Stay on top of the situation. Don’t be quiet and passive – get active. There’s an old saying that it’s the squeaky wheel that gets attention. Be the squeaky wheel.

Be a mirror

You are important too. Don’t neglect yourself by taking care of your loved one. It’s easy to put all of your focus on getting them well – but you need to set an example. If you don’t care for yourself then why should they care for themselves either.

Above all, I wish you a speedy recovery – both your loved and yourself. Eating Disorders affect the whole family and it takes time to recover. Be kind to yourself. Be well

Tracy Baines has written a book about how her daughter’s eating disorder impacted on her family. The book It’s Not about the Food is part memoir part self-help guide. It contains resources she found helpful and quotes from many other parents she either interviewed or who responded to her questionnaire.

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