Common Ground

Around Britain in 30 writers
Edited by John Simmons, Rob Williams & Tim Rich

A fantastic tour of literary Britain, with contributions by Ali Smith and Niall Griffiths.

Writers define places, places inspire writers. What would Dorset be without Thomas Hardy? Imagine the Scottish Highlands without Robert Louis Stevenson. And what was the effect of Hackney on Pinter, Kent on Dickens, or Laugharne on Dylan Thomas?

Which writer captures the spirit of a place close to your heart? How have the local landscape, people and stories influenced them? And what effect has this had on you?

Thirty of Britain’s liveliest writers were asked to consider these questions and write about the common ground they share with another writer. This book brings together their extraordinary responses, and provides a unique, informative and thoroughly entertaining tour of literary Britain.

Contributors include Ali Smith (winner of the Whitbread Novel Award 2005) and acclaimed novelist Niall Griffiths.

Featuring pieces on...Paul Abbott Burnley, The Reverend W. Awdry Wiltshire, Julian Barnes Middlesex
Hilaire Belloc Sussex, John Burnside Fife, Mary Butts Dorset, Charles Dickens Kent, TS Eliot City of London, Jasper Fforde Swindon, Alan Garner Cheshire, Patrick Hamilton Earl’s Court, Thomas Hardy Dorset, FW Lister Middlesbrough, David Lodge Birmingham, Richard Long At large, George Mackay Brown Orkneys, Hugh Miller Cromarty and the Black Isle, John Milton Buckinghamshire, Stuart Murdoch Glasgow, Harold Pinter Hackney, Will Self M40, William Shakespeare Stratford-upon-Avon, Giles Smith Colchester, Robert Louis Stevenson Scottish Highlands, Dylan Thomas Laugharne, Edward Thomas Cotswolds, HW Tilman Falmouth, Van Morrison Belfast, Keith Waterhouse Yorkshire, Virginia Woolf Sussex

Find out more at www.26.org.uk/commonground
JOHN SIMMONS is the author of many books on language, identity and brands, including Dark Angels (Cyan).

ROB WILLIAMS is the creative director at Penguin Books.

TIM RICH is a writer and editor, who writes about walking, nature, language and business.
They are all members of the writers group, 26.

1-904879-93-4
£10.00 PB
Rights: All
Sales territory:World ex. Asia & ANZ
Asia & ANZ sales: MCL*