Mainstream brings thirty authors in from the margins to occupy centre-page. Queer storytellers. Working class wordsmiths. Chroniclers of colour. Writers whose life experiences give unique perspectives on universal challenges, whose voices must be heard. And read.
‘In these locked down and unfocused times the short story is a much needed respite from the current Covid-19 bleakness. With Mainstream, Inkandescent has gathered together a wonderful collection of fascinating and eclectic stories. Sad, funny, horrifying and demystifying, the unique voices within take us on an open minded journey around the world. Loved it.’ ― KATHY BURKE
‘A riveting collection of stories, deftly articulated. Every voice entirely captivating: page to page, tale to tale. These are stories told with real heart from writers emerging from the margins in style.’ ― ASHLEY HICKSON-LOVENCE, author of The 392 and Your Show
Emerging writers are placed alongside established authors. Contributors are: Aisha Phoenix, Alex Hopkins, Bidisha, Chris Simpson, DJ Connell, Elizabeth Baines, Gaylene Gould, Giselle Leeb, Golnoosh Nour, Hedy Hume, Iqbal Hussain, Jonathan Kemp, Julia Bell, Juliet Jacques, Justin David, Kathy Hoyle, Keith Jarrett, Kerry Hudson, Kit de Waal, Lisa Goldman, Lui Sit, Nathan Evans, Neil Bartlett, Neil Lawrence, Neil McKenna, Ollie Charles, Padrika Tarrant, Paul McVeigh, Philip Ridley, Polis Loizou.
JUSTIN DAVID is a child of Wolverhampton who has lived and worked in East London for most of his adult life. He graduated from the MA Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London and is a founder member of Leather Lane Writers. His writing has appeared in many print and online anthologies and his debut novella, The Pharmacist, was published by Salt as part of their Modern Dreams series. He is also a well-known photographer. His images of artists, writers, performers and musicians have appeared on the pages of numerous newspapers and magazines including: The Times, The Guardian, Attitude, Beige, Classical Music Magazine, Gay Times, Out There, Pink Paper, QX and Time Out. Justin is one half of Inkandescent with his partner, Nathan Evans. Their first offering, Threads, featuring Nathan's poetry and Justin's photography, was long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize. It was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
NATHAN EVANS is a writer, director and performer whose work in film and theatre has been funded by the Arts Council, toured by the British Council, broadcast on Channel 4 and archived in the BFI Mediatheque. He's worked at venues including Royal Court, Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. His films have won awards at the London Short Film Festival and screened at festivals across the world. His poems have been published by Manchester Metropolitan University and longlisted for the Live Canon International Poetry Prize; his first collection, Threads, was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize, his second CNUT, is published by Inkandescent. His short stories have appeared in Untitled: Voices and Queerlings; his first collection, All The Young Queers, will be published by Inkandescent in 2022.Nathan is one half of Inkandescent and studied fine art at Oxford University.
