Between the Lines

‘Julia Bell has an extraordinary capacity to open up difficult subjects, to illuminate and unknot. What appears to be a guide to creative writing is actually a brilliant manual for how to exist in groups, to handle painful material, to grow together. Could anything be more necessary or inspiring?’ – Olivia Laing‘That most marvellous of things, a brilliant book that is both accessible and deep, funny and serious, informative without being patronising and a joy to read. For writers, readers, thinkers and teachers, for everyone interested in group dynamics and getting the best out of people, for all of us trying to be better, here’s the book you’ve been waiting for. I loved it’ – Kit de Waal ‘Warm and wise, Between the Lines is a joy to read on the transformative power of storytelling and the way a writing class can help writers to find and refine their stories. Via illuminating workshops on various aspects of the writer’s craft, the book explores how each writer can find their way to uncovering the stories they need to tell. Wide ranging and hearfelt, it contains practical suggestions and deep and generous advice into improving creative writing skills as well as sharp insights into how the world we live in affects our creativity and shapes our imagination’ – Tina Jackson, Editor, Writing Magazine‘Between the Lines is about so much more than writing craft. It is a meditation on how we live now, and the impact technology has on our creative lives. It is generous, intelligent, full of wisdom and insight. An essential guide for anyone interested in writing, but also living a self reflective life. A book that everyone should have on their bookshelf’ – Lily Dunn‘Very moving, comically delicious, and absolutely compelling. Every learner and teacher of creative writing should read Between the Lines… it is destined to be a classic’ – Horatio Clare

Julia Bell is a Reader in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London. She is the author of three novels, a poetry collection and the acclaimed essay Radical Attention (Peninsula Press), and her work has been published in the TLS, the New Statesman, The Paris Review, and Prospect, as well as broadcast on the BBC. She has given talks and workshops across the UK and internationally for the British Council.