With time, I'll write you too

October 2024

It’s hard to believe, but Issue #30 of Gutter, published only two months ago, has just sold out. We’re delighted this edition has proved so popular. If you haven’t yet got yourself a copy, you might still be lucky. There’s a few lingering in bookshops, here and there. But don’t dilly-dally. We’re all out, so they won’t last long.

The best way to make sure you always get a copy for yourself is by subscribing. You can do that here on Substack, as a Friend or Patron – which gets you a beautiful art print or two as well – or else you can visit the website and sign up there. Two issues a year, full of wonderful writing. It’s worth every penny.

Over on the website this month, we’ve got some other treats for your. First is an extract from Dan Spencer’s debut novel, Cat Lover, which has just been published by Atlantic Books. Dan has been writing for Gutter for a long time now, so it’s great to see this novel out and about in the world. According to the author it’s ‘about an uncanny love triangle between a struggling A&E doctor, her new geologist boyfriend and her murderous housecat, set in a Glasgow tenement.’ You can read the first part of the book here.

Of course, we’ve also got our regular Book of the Month review online, which this month is by Ingrid Brubaker. She’s chosen – and who can blame her? – the brand new novel by Ali Smith, Gliff. ‘Reading Smith’, writes Ingrid, ‘is like staring at the world through the mirror she’s holding up for you, and at the same time solving word puzzles.’ That sounds about right to me. Have a read of her review here.

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, we’ve got something that was first published in Issue #30. It’s a rather lovely poem, written by Zain Rishi, called ‘motherhood’. Here’s a short extract:

I'm learning

                       how to be your
       son – a language you are
       always writing. With time,
       I'll write you too.

The full poem is here. And thanks to Zain for the title of this month’s newsletter.

News

If you haven’t yet submitted your work for Issue #31, get your skates on. Submissions close tomorrow, and they won’t open again until early 2025. All the information you need is here. We’re looking forward to reading your stories, poems and essays.