Alan Beard's site

Elizabeth Sarkany says...
I had to tell you that your blog has cheered me up no end in all sorts of ways. I can't say how encouraging I found it that 'King' was rejected (was it by Grasslimb, I can't remember) since it is one of my all-time favourite stories - properly moving, poetic and accomplished - and your collection sits between Carver and Janet Frame on the shelf of books next to my desk that I read when I'm stuck and wordless.

Wow, I'm speechless - between Carver and Janet Frame. That's gone to my head! Thanks Elizabeth. Yes I used to feel like sending the stories back to the mags with a pair of glasses attached. My blog is a way of having the last word. I could paper my walls with rejections - at least I could when they were in paper format. You just have to keep sending stuff. It is odd how mags work. Unfathomable. After a good nineties where most everything I did was published I then had a run of years in the noughties where nothing was accepted. I felt I was finished, but luckily things are beginning to change now. I'm glad my experience has helped you - keep sending the stuff out.

I had to tell you that your blog has cheered me up no end in all sorts of ways. I can't say how encouraging I found it that 'King' was rejected (was it by Grasslimb, I can't remember) since it is one of my all-time favourite stories - properly moving, poetic and accomplished - and your collection sits between Carver and Janet Frame on the shelf of books next to my desk that I read when I'm stuck and wordless.

just to say I've been roaming around your website and I'd love a copy of the photo of you on the beach ! that's what you looked like when you were at Newton Park ! speak to you soon, love, Ian

Read "Background Noise" as well. Excellent writing, really gritty and real. I would have liked to read more about what the narrator imagines the dead man's life to have been. The image of him kissing his children's heads was poignant.

[René Ghosh]
Thanks Rene, I'm glad you enjoyed the story. There's another one of mine on there too, I hope you like that (although it deals with a much nastier situation).

Just read "The Heebie-Jeebies" over at http://www.short-stories.co.uk/. I really enjoyed the way the narrator's memories of his ex-lover are intertwined with music references. Altogether a fascinating read. You never find out exactly what happened the day he got the heebie-jeebies and that creates a pit of mystery. I also enjoyed the kids throwing eggs at the walls of the house, like barbarians at the gates of a decadent Rome.

Very nice site!

Hi Angie, great to hear from you. Must be over twenty years since I last saw you. Still see Pete - was round his last week for a 'session' - I haven't changed much in that way. Yes bleedin' time, goes too fast. Chloe's 19 next week! I carry on writing, but not enough - one day I'll retire and be able to devote more time to it.
I hope you and your daughter are well and have a lovely Christmas & New Year.
(That's if you come back to the site and read this before tomorrow - I'll have to get your email from Pete).
Love Alxx

Hi Alan!

Long time....eh?! Pete sent me your website link - all looking very good - great that you're having success with the writing - persistence pays off! You're looking pretty good yourself too - how weird it is to find ourselves 50-somethings - I still can't get my head around that! I hear news of you & Clare & your girls occasionally from Pete. My daughter is 13 now - time is the strangest thing & gets the more so as we go along...

Anyway - just taking the opportunity to say hi to you & Clare & hope you all have a wonderful Christmas & continued success in '09.

love
Angie