This was my first ever submission of a short story, and I was amazed that it was chosen for Mslexia's Showcase. I wrote it specifically for the Showcase with the theme of Blue as a starting point. As usual, I started with the final scene and worked towards it. As usual, Neil Harper insisted on a guiding role. But this is Lillian Harper's story.

This is Hannah’s tale, not mine, but I’ve drawn from memories of being a singer and musician in my youth and the feelings of isolation that come with being of the ‘wrong’ class, gender and sexuality.  Songs for Beginners is a story for everyone who has reached adulthood and still feels like an outsider. I suspect there are a lot of us. Read the first few chapters here.  If you would like to read more, please get in touch.