This was the blog

This was the blog that I kept from February of last year to promote my first novel, Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room.

I've decided to stop writing it because I don't have the time that's needed to do it well...and I need to get on with my next book.

Social network for authors and reading groups

Visit Next to Hemingway

An open letter to Her Excellency Mrs Fu Ying

Her Excellency Mrs Fu Ying

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

49-51 Portland Place

London W1B 4JL




Your Excellency,

As a member of PEN, the international association of writers, I am writing to express my serious concern over the health of imprisoned Tibetan writer and teacher, Dolma Kyab.

According to PEN’s information, our Honorary Member Dolma Kyab contracted tuberculosis whilst in pre-trial detention, and his health has deteriorated considerably over the course of his detention. In July 2007, despite his poor health, Dolma Kyab was transferred to Seilong (Xining) Prison, where he is reportedly forced to do hard labour. I am deeply concerned that this forced labour will cause his health to deteriorate further, and urge the authorities to consider transferring Dolma Kyab to a different prison, or, at a minimum, to ensure that he is given less physically strenuous tasks. Furthermore, I urge that he is given the necessary medical attention and that his basic human rights are respected during his detention.

I firmly believe that Dolma Kyab’s detention is in violation of his rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and therefore call for his immediate and unconditional release.

I would welcome your comments on my appeal.

Yours faithfully,

Lee Henshaw.




You can read more about Dolma Kyab on the PEN website

This short film is a powerful exploration of the unhappy motif of China hosting the Olympics while committing human rights abuses.

An interview on Meet the Author

I recently did an interview about the book with the Meet The Author website.

Short film by Amir Jamal

The producer and director Amir Jamal has made a short film about Queer Fish in God's Waiting Room.

Here's some more information about Amir...

AMIR JAMAL - Producer/Director

Award-Winning director/producer specialising in observational ‘human interest’ documentaries and polemics. Always had passion for Drama, and Directed first short film last year to great critical acclaim in national press. Now also developing innovative. multi-media websites.

2008 – Gazelle Media
Producer/Director setting up innovative new Web TV platform, critically acclaimed in new media press, Broadcast, and The Independent newspaper.

2006/7 – More4 - Weddings and Beheadings (10’)¬
First drama short film co-written with Hanif Kureishi, shown at Curzon Mayfair, ICA, Riverside Studios.
DAILY TELEGRAPH, 17th January 2007 – “Terrific and strikingly poignant”

2006 – Al-Arabiya -Them and Us (60’)
60’ Observational Documentary on Finsbury Park Mosque. Most viewed documentary on largest middle-eastern platform.

2005 – ITV1 - The Tube – (4 x 30’) self-shot Ob Docs, including ‘specials’ filmed on 7/7 bombings. Won Silver Medal at Prix Europa.

BROADCAST, 4 November 2005
“The terror attacks that rocked London on 7 July were a media event on a massive scale, but Jamal’s unique access that morning got footage no news channel could. What began the day as a quirky observational documentary on the lives of London Underground employees quickly became a unique insight into a city in the grip of terror”

2004/5 – BBC 2 Special Theme Night Pakistani Actually
Producer/Director on two films for the night. RTS Nomination.
British, Paki & Proud – (35’) – This film led the night and achieved critic’s choices in every national newspaper.
THE GUARDIAN, 5 March 2005
“The night starts with this enthralling documentary…”
TIME OUT, March 2005
“This engrossing documentary…”

Who Wants To Be A Mullah? – (20’) – Quirky film tackling difficult subject, self-shot on DV and also critically acclaimed in the press with many ‘Pick of the Days’.

2003/4 – BBC1/ABC (USA) – Hope In Motion – Christopher Reeve
Multi Award winning documentary about the actor’s final physical, political, and personal struggle. Producer responsible for structuring key video diary style DV interview as his story unfolded. Body of film structured around this.

2002/3 – National Geographic 8 x 50’ Adventure Films
Producer/Self-Op cutting on Avid Xpress DV.

2001 – Primetime BBC2 – Prince Naseem’s Guide To Islam (30’) – Producer/Director
Pacy programme using complex filming techniques (eg. timeslice)
Royal Television Society Commendation

2001 – Primetime BBC2 – My Name Is Ahmed (30’) – Producer/Director
Observational documentary shot by myself on DV for BBC2 Islam UK Season.
Chosen by controller of BBC2 for presentation at the official launch of the season.
Nominated for Prix Europa

2000 – Transworld International – DV Director Magazine show reviewing short film festivals around the world. Programme review of Sundance Film Festival praised by Sundance committee.

2000 – BBC2 Documentary - The Silence of the Farms (40’) – Producer/DV Director
A year in the life of a struggling Welsh hill farmer and his family.
Critics Choice in every national newspaper.

THE TIMES
“Compulsory viewing for all politicians”

1999 – BBC1 Inside Story – Heart Team (50’) – DV Director
Chosen by BBC to shoot high quality DV of heart transplants to be intercut with top digibeta crew material.

1998 – BBC2 Video Diaries – Last Chance on Thin Ice (40’) – Producer
Adventurer David Hempleman-Adams’ record breaking trek to the North Pole.
Worldwide sales through MIP/Cannes
DAILY TELEGRAPH
“A stunning documentary set in a mesmerizing landscape”

1998 – BBC2 – Nightmare In Paradise by Sean Langan (3 x 40’) - Producer
Journalist Sean Langan on the trail of hostages and muhajedeen in Kashmir.
Critics choices in all national press.

1997 – BBC2 – Before I Die (3 x 10’) – DV Director
Short films with people suffering from terminal illness.
Highly acclaimed. Presented by BBC at Brazilian Documentary Festival.

TIME OUT
“Powerful and heartbreaking”

Tom reads from Queer Fish

There are lots of reasons why I shouldn't be typing right now:

- Tom, my publisher, didn't prepare, I see, which doesn't matter, because he's a good man with a strong heart, but still...

- My camera, which Tom took with him, has clearly broken, finally (there's a dreadful buzzing).

- He asked the The Blind Man of Bethsaida to film him.

- The twit Coles jumps in at the end to say something plummy about swearing.

Here it is anyway...

Akira the Don's review

I'm delighted to report that Akira the Don likes the book

A review on Writewords

There's a very generous review of the book on Writewords

Your first line is free

My Publisher, Legend Press, is giving away the first third of the book for free at their website.