Donna Coonan

Want to see my intrepid hound crossing the tallest aqueduct in the world in a canoe? Thought you did! Handsome beast on Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

a man in a blue varsity jacket with the letter p on it ALT: a man in a blue varsity jacket with the letter p on it

Due to the fickleness of teenagers, I'm selling 2 tickets to see Kendrick Lamar - 19 July, Cardiff

secure.ticketmaster.co.uk/rs/3500624A8...

I'm so sorry, Jess. This sounds gruelling and brutal. Sending love
xx

And it was Matt Hancock?! Well, yes, you'd question their judgement! At the very least.

Lying on a spiky acupuncture mat (or floor, bed, mat or what have you), listening to countless P.G. Wodehouse books. Or walking in the drizzle, doing the same. That's my newfound prescription for the blues.

2 years ago I got a paeony for my birthday, but it's never flowered. Waiting, in my north-facing garden, with excitement. Soon, my pretty 😍

Photo of five people, black and white, young and older, looking happy

Call out for writers with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to submit monologues for a new anthology to highlight the complexity of the experiences of homelessness and poverty – struggles, resilience, hope, humour.

Please share :)

mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/

I hope you do! I haven't made nearly as many artistic pilgrimages as I'd like. Will rectify!

It is such a special place. Try to allow some time for a mooch around Lewes too as it's lovely.

The studio at Charleston House, with paintings and a bust of Virginia Woolf

The decorated fireplace in the studio at Charleston house. There is a deity on the mantlepiece, perhaps of Kwan Yin, among other items, mainly photographs.

A sculpture of a supine woman floating beside a pond. Sunny, spring day.

John Agard and me

I took my friend for a surprise birthday day out, and it was magical. Charleston, followed by celeb spotting the magnificent John Agard, who read, right there & then, the poem he was writing. Unforgettable.

Olsen - well, her output was sadly so scarse. And for the reasons she writes about - a working-class mother with so little time. That's why the Ironing Board story struck me so powerfully. I recommend 'Silences', if you caan get hold of it.

I'd definitely recommend the collection 'Blue in Chicago'

I know! I was surprised too. Made me want to paint it.

Oh, and what about Bette Howland?

Sorry - I haven't read short stories for a wee while and now I'm excited remembering more that I love.

'I Stand Here Ironing' by Tillie Olsen - God, that's a heartbreaker!

Sadly she died in the 60s at age 23 - she was such a talent. The way she probes racism through horror reminded me of Jordan Peele - but half a century before!

Bloody hell - this is exciting!

These were all ones I published at Virago - or was about to before I left. I sound biased, but their stories are all incredible. Janet Frame, Elizabeth Taylor, Patricia Highsmith and Diane Oliver. 😊 Happy to pick individual stories if you need.

Ooh! I like!

Tentatively planted the asparagus bed. It's a long-term relationship - even if they don't die, I won't be eating them for 2 years.

5 foot sarcophagus made made by 8 year old in the recycling bin. Bin is outside house with a yellow door. It's the night before bin collection and the lights are on in the house. The king painted on the sarcophagus is resigned to his fate.

I've resisted binning the kids' lockdown art projects for long enough 😟

Victoria Amelina

Looking at Women Looking at War

As part of #SaveThePCC, we are looking to cement our status as a culturally significant institution. We need examples as to why you love what we do & want to hear your most cherished memories of the cinema.

So tell us: #ILovePCC because…

Tell us here: princecharlescinema.typeform.com/ILovePCC

I've visited The PCC since I was a skint student, decades ago. For years, a solo treat has been a surprise matinee followed by noodles in Chinatown.Next month am going with a big gang to see Goodfellas, one of my favourite films of all time, followed by a slap-up Italian & Bar Italia. PCC has my❤️

I've never read his fiction, but decades ago I read The Colour of Water, which is his beautiful memoir. Couldn't recommend it more highly.

Thoroughly enjoying Deacon King Kong.

Hope all well with you too - will message xx

Picture of cup of tea, cinnamon bun, book (Deacon King Kong by James McBride) and sleeping dog on bed.

I am having the most perfect morning. Rare lie-in.

Picture of the book 'A Memoir of My Former Self' by Hilary Mantel

Picture of text, including 'Mr Trump has promised a world where white men and rich men run the world their way, greed fuelled by undaunted ignorance.'

I miss Hilary Mantel's writing so very much - her wry, knowing, humane take on the world. This book is just wonderful - I am savouring every page. Everything from Robocop to Jane Austen.

Here she is on the 2016 US election but the words are being whispered in my ear as if written today.

I'm really sad to see the 'closing down' signs on my local WHSmith
- & to read of its wider demise. Although it's derided, in poorer areas Smiths is often the only place to buy books - and access is everything. Yes, we'd all love a local indie, but I've never lived anywhere close to one.

Ooh, the unexpected bounty!

(I guess therapists are taking over from the weekly confessional.)

No, I am! And the matching confession cloak!

Altar!!!