Author Archives: stephenmcgivern
afterwards and before
My debut novel. Paperback version here and kindle version here
The Sound is On
My complete stories now available here.
Death’s Brief Autobiography
12 short chapters on mortality 1. I was seven years old. We lived in a new town called East Kilbride. Our house lay at the top of a hill. The best way to describe the layout of the street is to think of a square dissected by a road which created two triangles of houses. …
Sommarøy Part 3
When I got back Harsvold was by the window, typing. It was best not to disturb him. Between my bags at the hydrangeas someone had left a plumped sack of petals, meant as a pillow. It could only have been Espen I thought. I lay amidst the scents and watched the motionless sun. Was it …
Part 2 – Sommarøy
Sommarøy Pt.2 I flew from Glasgow to Oslo before transferring onto a cramped Cessna. After thirty minutes, I could see Sommarøy below in bleached sunlight. The pilot didn’t speak much English. He walked with me along the tarmac to a small outbuilding. Above the doorway a sign read- Sommarøy Flypassen. He took off his hat …
Part 1 of Sommarøy
Sommarøy Part 1 It was on my Graduation day that I discovered Sommarøy. Calderwood told me there was a Careers Fair after our Conferment. I said I would go with him. We met in the University Cloisters 10 minutes or so after the ceremony. We were the only graduates without family guests. ‘This is all …
Sommarøy
It has been several months since I blogged and podcasted. I have recently moved house and finally recovered my equipment from a pyramid of cardboard boxes. For the last year I have been working on and off on a new short story about the coastal village of Sommarøy in Norway. The village was in the …
Sunday is a day of Less
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the seventh and final story below but you can also listen on …
Stay Away Saturday
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the sixth story below but you can also listen on my podcast. …
Friday is for Dreamers
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the fifth story below but you can also listen on my podcast. …
Shake Hands It’s Thursday
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the fourth story below but you can also listen on my podcast. …
On Wednesday a Cure was found
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the third story below but you can also listen on my podcast. …
Tuesday’s Sermon
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the second story below but you can also listen on my podcast. …
Seven Fevers
I decided to challenge myself to write a short story each day for a week on the theme of infection. Each story is no longer than 500 words and 4 minutes in length. Some are serious others less so. Find the text of the first story below but also you can listen on my podcast. …
Lilian of the Estates
Part 1 of a spoken word and music memoir for my mother, a woman I loved and eventually understood. Thanks to all the great musicians I worked with. Some I knew and others I contacted. They all gave their time and talents to what what must’ve sounded an odd project. Music for the project can …
There is nothing straightforward in a dream
This episode features a story about the power of the dreams we have each night. Thanks to Stefan, Alana, Sham, Eva and Ruth for their great reading of the story. I am also joined by Sarah and Tina (pictured) who are collaborating with me on a big musical project – more of that for future …
Continue reading “There is nothing straightforward in a dream”
Someone will Remember Us I say, Even in Another Time
Do you believe in coincidence? Perhaps you shouldn’t. I am helped in this episode by Allan, Marie, Stefan and Alana. The story they read has caused a lot of discussion amongst readers. I hope you enjoy it! Paperback and Kindle editions of the story and others can be found here. Music used in this episode …
Continue reading “Someone will Remember Us I say, Even in Another Time”
Untitled
Lots of music and discussion in this episode. The centrepiece is a very powerful reading of the story, Untitled. A mother lies dead in her room. Each of her three sons respond differently to her passing. Thanks to Eva for her moving narration with the assistance of David and Stefan. The poetry quoted in the …
Application
What do we want from a career? Is there such a thing as the perfect applicant? As well as lots of music, this week’s episode features discussion from Steven and Zahra who helped with the reading of my story, Application. A headteacher is seeking a new depute. Will she choose the right applicant? Songs – …
Fez
This week’s episode features David and Keith playing some skiffle and talking about music. They also contribute to the reading of my story Fez which is about the selfishness which sometimes spoils a friendship. Fez along with my other short stories can be found on Amazon here. Listen to more of my music on Soundcloud. …
Ino
If you can’t feel pain, can you feel love? Today’s episode features Alana and Stefan reading my short story, Ino. They also discuss their recent elopement wedding day. Featured song for this podcast is The World is a Wedding. I pinched the song title from Delmore Schwartz, the great American short story writer. Check out …
At a Corner
This episode contains some Electronica, Kafka, Brueghel and reflections on my childhood and the terrors of society. I am joined by the very talented Arran Fitzpatrick who reads my story, At A Corner and plays trumpet on Hunters in the Snow and additional keyboard on Are You Talking to Me? My collected short stories can …
Heliades
The strange, impossible ways a hospital heals even in death. This week’s episode features a dramatised reading of my story Heliades. It is narrated by Marie Weir, assisted by Eva, Sham and Ruth. Discussion, History and Us, is provided by Marie and Eva. Tina Roscoe sings No Kind Words Violin, Keys and Drums by Adam …
And you have the Bride for whom you prayed
This week’s episode is more music than story featuring a duet with a difference. Songs and chat with musician Calum Slaven ex-Howson. Also included is a very short, dark story set in Kollwitzplatz and read by Caitlin Wallace. The story along with other readings can be found on Amazon here. The title of the story …
Continue reading “And you have the Bride for whom you prayed”
Rabbit Catcher
If loneliness is a trap, so is freedom. In this episode I am joined by Arran and Kara for a reading of my short story, Rabbit Catcher. A young man named Cuno lives in the hills. One day he meets a girl who has run away from the city. Thanks to Arran and Kara for …
Know this, from every care you could release me.
Welcome to the 3rd episode of my podcast. This story was inspired by events I witnessed on Unter Den Linden, Berlin during the late summer of 2018. Have you helped the needy or walked past them in the street? But what is your need? Doesn’t it make us cry out for someone or something? Thanks …
Continue reading “Know this, from every care you could release me.”
Finally
Finally is the opening story in Hits – Collected Short Stories available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. Imagine arriving in Heaven but where is God? Thanks to Ruth McGivern for voice and discussion. The podcast also includes a song I wrote a while ago. Sleepwalking Vocals – Sarah Binns Cowan Other instruments – …
Fathom
Are great adventures for everyone? A podcast featuring my short story, Fathom. Thanks to Stefan and Ruth. Song – The Devil Vocals – Steve Cotter, Fran Mulhall and Gabriel. Sample from public domain. No copyright infringement intended. Hits – Collected Short Stories by Stephen McGivern https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1099367492
About
Welcome to StephenMcGivern StoriesMusicPeople. You can find my podcasts on Spotify and iTunes. I will be reading from my story collection, playing music I have made with many others over the last two decades. Each episode will feature a guest. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoy writing and recording.
Stephen McGivern StoriesSongsPeople 