Stations

From tigers in a South London suburb to retired Victorian police inspectors investigating train based thefts, from collectors of poets at Shadwell to life-changing decisions in Canonbury, by way of an art installation that defies the boundaries of a gallery, Stations takes a sideways look through the windows of the Overground train, at life as it is, or might be, lived beside the rails: quirky, humorous and sometimes horrifying.



Joan Taylor-Rowan is a former teacher of Art and Textiles, and world traveller. She is the author of The Birdskin Shoes, a tale of circuses and earthquakes in Mexico. She has had several stories read on Radio 4 and performed at Short Fuse, Storytales, Liars' League and Tales of the Decongested. She has also written the book and lyrics for a musical based on her own short story, Kandy Kottage. Joan now rund a writing group in Hastings.

Katy Darby co-runs Liars' League (www.liarsleague.com) and teaches Short Story Writing and Novel Writing at City University, London. Her first novel, The Whores' Asylum, was published by Penguin in February 2012. Her personal website is www.katydarby.com. Katy is the co-editor of our Liars' League anthologies, London Lies, Lovers' Lies, (award winning) Weird Lies and We/She

Rosalind Stopps lives and works in South East London, which provides endless inspiration. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University and is currently working on her third novel.



Rosalind's story for London Lies, The Suitcase was originally read at Liars' League in April 2009 as part of the Bridge & Tunnel evening.She has two stories in Stations: How to Grow Old in Brockley is set in Brockley and pays homage to that classic tale of Love and Trains: Brief Encounter.



Recipes for a Successful Working Life is set at Norwood Junction and is a tale of work-place bullying and pizza ovens.



and two stories in Lovers' Lies, How to Survive the Olympics with a Broken Heart, and Monsieur Fromage.

Anna Fodorova was born in Prague, and was stranded in England by the Russian invasion in the 60s. She has made TV animation films, written TV film scripts, worked as lecturer in art colleges, and is now in private practice as a psychotherapist.

Her children's book: 'Carlo the Crocodile', was published by A.C.Black, and her novel 'The Training Patient', and a story included in 'Tales of Psychotherapy', were published by Karnac.

With Arachne Press, Anna has stories in 'Stations' and in 'Liberty Tales' before her second novel 'In The Blood'

Scunthorpe-born Rob Walton lives with his daughters in Whitley Bay. His poetry is published by The Emma Press, Strix, Butcher's Dog, Culture Matters, Atrium and others. His short fiction is published in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand. He collated the New Hartley Memorial Pathway text.



'Stations' is certainly an eclectic group of stories, but I enjoyed every one – well-written and engaging stuff. I imagine that it would be ideal for dipping in and out of while you're passing the time between Kensal Rise and Clapham Junction…



…Caroline Hardman's 'Bloody Marys and a bowl of Pho' (Hoxton) is a modern-day, urban take on the vampire narratives so current at the moment. It is well-written and funny. 'Platform Zero' (Haggerston) by Michael Trimmer also offers a quirky version of another, familiar theme – that of the parallel universe. 'The Beetle' by Ellie Stewart (Wapping) is also well-paced and moving in its portrayal of a broken relationship. Peter Morgan's 'Mr Forest Hill Station' (Forest Hill) also stands out due to its tender depiction of the bond between strangers, meeting occasionally in the big city.