Alan Beard
Goodreads Author
Born
in Birmingham, The United Kingdom
Website
Twitter
Genre
Influences
Alan Sillitoe, Henry Green, Raymond Carver
Member Since
December 2007
URL
https://www.goodreads.com/takingsky
To ask
Alan Beard
questions,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
![]() |
The New Abject: Tales of Modern Unease
by
3 editions
—
published
2020
—
|
|
![]() |
The Book of Birmingham: A City in Short Fiction
by
2 editions
—
published
2018
—
|
|
![]() |
You Don't Have to Say
—
published
2011
|
|
![]() |
Taking Doreen Out of the Sky
4 editions
—
published
1997
—
|
|
![]() |
The Heebie-Jeebies
—
published
2009
|
|
![]() |
Tell Tales
by
—
published
2006
|
|
![]() |
The Mechanics' Institute Review: Short Stories (The Mechanics' Institute Review, #14)
by |
|
![]() |
Going the Distance
—
published
2003
|
|
![]() |
Background Noise
—
published
2009
|
|
![]() |
[(Trade Finance Handbook )] [Author: Alan Beard] [Jan-2006]
|
|
Alan’s Recent Updates
"A little more inconsequential and fragmented than Kelman’s earlier collections, The Good Times explores the more comedic side of the legendary Glasgow writer’s talent, especially in the adapted radio play ‘Comic Cuts’, an utterly surreal riff on Wait"
Read more of this review »
|
|
Alan
is currently reading
|
|
Alan
is currently reading
|
|
"
I must be a sucker for shower thoughts: I loved it.
"
|
|
Alan
rated a book really liked it
|
|
Although there is no plot/story and it repeats itself this book is beautiful and life affirming. Felt like I was up there with them watching the world go by; how perspective/distance is everything. Would have been 5 stars had it not been 20/30 pages ...more | |
"This is an intense, beautiful novella, with a lot of lovely writing:
Louise had placed the photograph in Edward's hands, because he wanted it there, and he held it by the edges. His fingers, the long fingers of the surgeon he was or the musician he s" Read more of this review » |
|
"The intensity of living inside the protagonist's head during the 72 hours of this book is riveting, I could not put it down. If one may divide novelists into the ones who do everything again and again, vs the ones who need to be moving on, Parks is i"
Read more of this review »
|
|
"Five Brilliant stars for Charlotte Wood and although I haven't yet read the other Booker nominees, I would love this one to win. She writes about many subjects that are close to my range of interests: the mother who composts everything - I have one o"
Read more of this review »
|
|
Alan
is currently reading
|
|
Alan
rated a book liked it
|
|
Enjoyed the spoof author stuff. Hilarious. But often it was just too much for me - think Bataille (one of his protagonists claims to be Bataille reincarnated), Burroughs - one story was about a pornographic film of forty minutes looking at an anus, t ...more | |
“When he got up to shuffle to the kitchen he moved as if Rebel Rebel was still playing even though the music had stopped and she followed to the room where little sunlight penetrated but which seemed sun-filled now. It had leaked in from the angels who were dissolving away in the other room. She tapped his shoulder and touched his side, was to the front of him, to the side of him, helping him with cups and kettle and turning on taps, tutting at his fridge, moving with jar and spoon as if she'd often done that here. As if he'd opened his eyes in a place where things persisted.”
― The Heebie-Jeebies
― The Heebie-Jeebies
“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”
― Bird by Bird
― Bird by Bird
“A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is.”
―
―
![14198](https://images.gr-assets.com/groups/1234091084p1/14198.jpg)
A group dedicated to the extraordinary life and work of Graham Greene.
![25x33](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/group/25x33-a226cbb96bda41ee598e8f4c921f2bdb.jpg)
For people who especially love short stories, and don't care who knows it! ...more
![220](https://images.gr-assets.com/groups/1269147049p1/220.jpg)
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
![40475](https://images.gr-assets.com/groups/1291003347p1/40475.jpg)
*Note: This group, although it lives on in a sense, like a photograph, capturing a moment so people can look back later and go, "Oh, wow, you looked s ...more
![78545](https://images.gr-assets.com/groups/1347148614p1/78545.jpg)
Every week we post a new 53-words story at our Press 53 blog http://press53.tumblr.com/ each week with a new theme. I create the weekly contest and j ...more
Comments (showing 14-63)
post a comment »
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
They're both brilliant. I also liked 'Daddy's'.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
that's a start! You should also buy Best British Short Stories 2011 (Salt). I'm not saying this just because I'm in it of course.
Al
![Kinga](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1491308194p1/110812.jpg)
To support you in your ASSP Campaign I went to an independent bookshop yesterday and bought The Penguin Book of Modern British Short Stories.
This way I support independent bookshops and short stories!
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
not sure I'll have time to add much though. I see you're reading Brighton Rock - I still remember reading it back in the late 60s when i was a teenager. I hope they don't cock up the remake of the film.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
Hope it goes well"
OK Nathalie. Did go fairly well - sold 3 books!
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
And will I get to personally sa..."
Fabulous! Bring who you like - it's free, don't worry about tickets. Don't know how it will work out but I'm sure there will be drinks after somewhere. Trouble is I've got to get the train back to Brum at 9:45 (work the next day), so won't have that much time.
A few GRers are coming it will be nice to see everyone instaed of talking to avatars.
I'm still reeling from the Guardian review yesteday - nice to have all that space, but can't stomach that 'not quite fresh'!
![Jessica](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1283427299p1/777369.jpg)
yes, I love him. Though his last one disappointed me.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
Hope you like it Jessica. It picked up a nice little review in the Times recently. Just finished the new Galgut (I know you like him) - excellent.
![Jessica](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1283427299p1/777369.jpg)
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
bloody hell, a lot of the links have gone weird on me too. What's happening man?
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
(scroll down to see my top fifty stories..)
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63...
Donovan - I only know one book of his, a collection of stories (naturally), and it was a prize from The Short Review. I was knocked out by one partidular story.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38...
James Hanley is an uneven writer, bit weird, intense and strange. I liked Sailor's Song and Boy.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
There's posters and stuff done with the proper cover- I'll try and post it.
My favourite authors? If you mean Henry Green and James Hanley you should read them .. there's one you know quite well though - you.
![Jessica](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1283427299p1/777369.jpg)
Will you be doing any books promo? readings, tours?
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
yes found it - I haven't told Clare I'm putting her pic up but still. The photo was taken just before mine - see what I mean about the same hairstyle. Same sunglasses too - we were mucking about.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
There's only one book by me really - '..Doreen..', the other one mentioned I edited. I do have a collection coming out soon though.
I don't get royalties anyway - Picador pulped the book before it reached my advance. It's only available second hand anyway.
I have read one or two of your poems, but I will buy Ants Dissolve in Moonlight cuz I love the title (reference to something probably)..
![W.B.](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1373322692p1/545392.jpg)
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
![Megha](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1361664925p1/1727205.jpg)
it's just posting the thing - dunno how to do it. I could stick it on my profile and I could be female for an hour.."
If you click on your profile pic, it will take you to a page showing larger version of the pic and there should be an 'add more photos' link on top right of the page, I think.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
it's just posting the thing - dunno how to do it. I could stick it on my profile and I could be female for an hour..
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
I know - sickening isn't it. I took a photo of her at the same time I'll see if I can post it...
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
It was taken in 1973 in Weston Super Mare by my (very) new girlfriend - now my wife.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
Now here I am writing to myself. As I said to Jen I'm going senile (55 next month). It's Friday afternoon and work ends in 10 minutes - hence this shite.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
great news, Alan!"
yes but maybe I shouldn't have said anything yet, might hex it
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
.. I read 'Hands' this morning on the train to work. Yes, I think I'm going to like this. A lot.
Had some great news this morning too - my book has been brought forward and will now be out (or should be) in Novemeber 2010..
![Ben](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1708568871p1/88967.jpg)
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
Yes I'm flattered and happy that Abailart took such trouble with it, and liked my stories too..
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
Yes, I did indeed promise a review...and I fell down on the job.
But...I will do it, soon as I climb out from under the semester's course load.
soon I hope."
don't worry Jessica leave it. I know this time of year is so busy for academics (and us Uni librarians but I don't take my work home). It's such a bastard about Meg. Maybe she'll come back.
![Jessica](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1283427299p1/777369.jpg)
Yes, I did indeed promise a review...and I fell down on the job.
But...I will do it, soon as I climb out from under the semester's course load.
soon I hope.
![Alan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1442467037p1/698826.jpg)
did Meg S. leave GR?
(do we know why?)"
Yes Meg left, great shame. She emailed me to say she was worried about her privacy (seems someone was harrassing her). I miss her a lot as I got some great recommendations from her - not least 'How I Came to Know Fish', plus of course she was in the process of giving '..Doreen..' a good review.
Which reminds me, Ms Treat - didn't you say you'd do a review in a few days time back in April? ... No problem though, whenever...