Test Signal

A ground-breaking anthology of the best contemporary northern writing, showcasing the wealth of literary talent in the North of England. The anthology celebrates a community of writers, each telling a different story in their own words, and highlights the thriving independent publishing scene and vibrant grass-roots networks in the North.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Test Signal is a groundbreaking anthology of the best contemporary northern writing, showcasing the wealth of literary talent in the North of England. This diverse collection of stories, written by a community of writers from every corner of the region and across all its vibrant genres, defies any singular prescription of what it means to be a northern writer and celebrates the unique voices of each individual.

The anthology opens with "Test Signal," a powerful and thought-provoking piece by Adam Farrer that explores the complexities of identity and belonging in a divided society. From crumbling coastlines to influencers online, the story takes the reader on a journey through the landscapes and lives of the North.

Next, Amy Stewart's "The Last Train Home" takes us to the heart of a small town in the North, where a group of friends are forced to confront their past and present when a train is cancelled due to bad weather. The story explores themes of loss, nostalgia, and the power of friendship.

Andrew Michael Hurley's "The Sound of the Sea" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a coastal village. The story follows a young man who returns to his hometown after a long absence and is drawn into a mysterious and dangerous world of smuggling.

Carmen Marcus's "The Language of Flowers" is a beautiful and poignant story about a young woman who finds herself lost in the world of flowers and their meanings. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of language to connect and heal.

Crista Ermiya's "The Weight of Water" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront her past and the legacy of her family. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for belonging.

Désirée Reynolds's "The Language of Birds" is a captivating and lyrical story about a young woman who finds herself drawn to a mysterious bird that appears in her garden. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of nature to heal and transform.

Jane Claire Bradley's "The Sound of the Wind" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a remote coastal village. The story follows a young woman who is haunted by the memories of her past and the secrets of her family.

Jenna Isherwood's "The Memory of Water" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront her past and the legacy of her family. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for forgiveness.

J. A. Mensah's "The Sound of the City" is a gritty and realistic story about a young man who finds himself caught up in the world of drug trafficking and violence. The story explores themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of choices.

Kit Fan's "The Language of the Stars" is a captivating and poetic story about a young woman who finds herself drawn to the stars and their meanings. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of imagination to transcend the limitations of reality.

Lara Williams's "The Weight of Silence" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront the legacy of her family and the secrets of her past. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for healing.

Laura Bui's "The Sound of the River" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a remote river valley. The story follows a young woman who is drawn to the river and its secrets and is forced to confront the dark forces that lurk beneath the surface.

Matt Wesolowski's "The Language of the Birds" is a captivating and lyrical story about a young man who finds himself drawn to a mysterious bird that appears in his garden surface. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of nature to heal and transform.

Melissa Wan's "The Weight of Silence" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront the legacy of her family and the secrets of her past. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for healing.

Naomi Booth's "The Sound of the Sea" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a coastal village. The story follows a young woman who is drawn to the sea and its secrets and is forced to confront the dark forces that lurk beneath the surface.

Rebecca Hill's "The Weight of Water" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront her past and the legacy of her family. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for forgiveness.

Robert Williams's "The Sound of the Wind" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a remote coastal village. The story follows a young woman who is haunted by the memories of her past and the secrets of her family. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for forgiveness.

Sammy Wright's "The Language of Flowers" is a beautiful and poignant story about a young woman who finds herself lost in the world of flowers and their meanings. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of language to connect and heal.

Sara Sherwood's "The Weight of Silence" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront the legacy of her family and the secrets of her past. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for healing.

Sharon Telfer's "The Sound of the River" is a haunting and atmospheric tale set in a remote river valley. The story follows a young woman who is drawn to the river and its secrets and is forced to confront the dark forces that lurk beneath the surface.

Tawseef Khan's "The Language of the Birds" is a captivating and lyrical story about a young man who finds himself drawn to a mysterious bird that appears in his garden surface. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the power of nature to heal and transform.

Tricia Cresswell's "The Weight of Water" is a powerful and emotional story about a young woman who returns to her hometown after a long absence and is forced to confront the legacy of her family and the secrets of her past. The story explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for forgiveness.

In conclusion, Test Signal is a testament to the fact. The North is driving a revolution in new literature, with ground-breaking new authors, a thriving independent publishing scene, and vibrant grass-roots networks. This anthology showcases the best of its talent, from every corner of the region and across all its vibrant genres. Some contributors are well-known established names, others are newcomers; all of them are part of the new northern writing scene. With its diverse range of stories and voices, Test Signal is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich and diverse literary landscape of the North.

Weight: 246g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526630902