I don't know how many readers this weblog has in the Hastings area, but just in case: I'm reading at the opening night of Short Fuse Hastings on Sunday May 31st. The night starts at 8pm in The Rooms Cafe Bar in St. Leonards and costs £5.
I like St. Leonards. Back in 1998 I lived in the Grand Hotel ("as seen on Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector"). St Leonards was a strange place, dominated by the impressive Marine Court; under the building nestled a Dr. Who shop, keeping the faith in the programme's wilderness years. I believe Iain Sinclair lived in Marine Court around the time I was in St Leonards – certainly I recognised some of the background characters in his novel 'Dining on Stones'. You can get a good idea of the town from the Lost Promenade's recent visit (see here and here).
Anyway, if you're at the night, come and say hello. I've not decided what to read yet. I do have one story about St. Leonard's ('The Final Performance of the Puppy Dog Ballet') but I might ignore that in favour of something more substantial.