Monthly Archives: May 2014
Berrow’s Worcester Journal
Aspiring student gets a collection of short stories published in first year
A BUDDING author who is studying at the University of Worcester has traded textbooks for stories by launching his debut collection.
Andy Owens is nearing the end of his first year reading creative writing and screenwriting, but he has already put together a collection of 32 self-penned short stories, entitled Portraits of Prose.
The collection was published by Black Pear Press on Thursday May 1.
Originally from Canada, the 42-year-old developed his passion for writing when he joined the Worcester Writers’ Circle (WWC) in 2010.
Since picking up a pen he has gone on to read his works – Achtung Stampede and No Strings Attached – to audiences at the first Worcestershire Literary Festival and Worcester’s monthly 42 open mic event.
“In June 2011 the first Worcestershire Literary Festival kicked off and the WWC were asked to put on three spoken-word events over the course of the festival,” he said.
From there it became apparent that people were interested in reading more.
“The next event I performed at was a monthly event in Worcester called 42, and a woman in the audience asked me where she could buy the stories I had read,” Mr Owens said.
“I was stunned by this and decided that I would have to write more short stories and attend further spoken-word events.”
Mr Owens, who moved to England in 1996, then saw his stories in publications on both sides of the Atlantic before being chosen to perform his work, Bootleg to Paris, to an audience of 350 people at Malvern Theatres.
“I decided to compile a collection of the best stories and self-publish it,” he said.
“Then, Black Pear Press contacted me to ask if I would be interested in submitting some of my work to their debut anthology of short stories, before offering to put together my collection for me.” andrewowenswriter.com
Amazon Review
“The stories contained within are rich and diverse, a wide range of short stories in multiple genres and highly entertaining and evocative throughout, ranging from the dark and twisted to light and humorous. Always engaging, this collection is a valuable addition to any library of all who enjoy reading, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.”