20x12 is a showcase for new writing and new writers from Portsmouth. The free readings will take place daily throughout the Portsmouth BookFest at 12:20pm, in either Central Library or Southsea Library.

Matt Wingett (@TurnTheTidesGen) will be appearing at Southsea Library on Sunday 4th November.

Matt was born in Portsmouth the year after the Summer of Love. As he says of the timing: “Blast. Missed it again.” He grew up in the countryside outside of Portsmouth where he looked with mistrust on the island city. He has written episodes of ITV’s The Bill, articles for national newspapers and magazines, and once inadvertently won a national poetry award while helping a friend to cheat at her GCSE in English.

Matt has taught English in Egypt, worked as a hypnotist, saved a blindwoman from drowning in a river, occasionally dresses up as a World War 2 RAF officer, has never eaten blueberries and does not have a television. One of the items in that list is a lie.

Matt moved on to the island of Portsmouth in 2003 and no longer regards it with mistrust, but with real love and affection. He is writing a collection of stories all based around Portsmouth, several of which have been published on Amazon. His paperback “The Three Belles Star In We’ll Meet Again” is a vintage/supernatural tale of haunting set around Portsmouth.

Asked about his religious beliefs, he will inform you that Portsmouth is the best place in the world to live. That is not a lie.

For more information about Matt Wingett and his work go to:  http://www.lifeisamazing.co.uk/about-me/

On the Passing of a Failed Writer

A writer, when dying neglected,

Clutched donor card close and reflected:

“If a publisher’s quitting

it’s no use submitting

my organs - they’ll just be rejected