Damien Walter

Pulp Idol

I’d really like to enter the SFX Magazine Pulp Idol contest but as my £300 lifetime earnings from fiction sales disqualify me from entering I’ll have to resist. I’ve got the perfect story as well. *sigh*

No Xbox ’till Xmas

I had the second in a series of mentoring meetings in early May, as part of the ongoing mentoring programme organised for me by the wonderful professional development people at NALD. The mentoring process has been quite influential over my pattern of work over the last few months. The first session highlighted a number ofContinue reading “No Xbox ’till Xmas”

Mundane SF

I like the Mundane SF movement and may well take up the call for stories recently issued on behalf of Interzone. However like any movement that takes itself (ever so slightly) too seriously its likely the Mundanistas are going to find themselves the butt of an increasing amount of humour. From the My Elves AreContinue reading “Mundane SF”

Iain M Banks Reading

Iain M Banks reading an exclusive extract from his as yet unpublished new novel in the Culture series at Alt.Fiction 2007 in Derby, UK.

Alt.Fiction Bulletin 2

Well, Alt Fiction has been and gone again. And it was really, really excellent. I managed to squeeze three sessions into the afternoon. First up was a discussion about the alternative fiction small press with Pete Crowther of PS Publishing, Christopher Teague of Pendragon Press, Andrew Hook from Elastic Press and one other I willContinue reading “Alt.Fiction Bulletin 2”

Alt.Fiction Bulletin 1

Alt.Fiction 2007 gets off to a rousing start with talks from Mark Chadbourne, james Barcla, Stan Nichols and a bundle of other writers. There is a fantastic selection of book stalls that I’m yet to even get near – I’ve stepped out for a bit to eat lunch and let the brain cool down afterContinue reading “Alt.Fiction Bulletin 1”

Wangst

I wish I could have latched onto any of the more intelligent concepts in this gnarly, supremely accurate and well overdue article by Julian Gough, but the concept of Wangst has had me chorling with venemous glee all morning. I’m going to go a step further than my pal Julian and declare Wangst the new born genre of commercial fictionContinue reading “Wangst”

Dragon Smack

Today is good day in the world because George R R Martin is writing ‘A Dance with Dragons’. The next volume of of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ is probably the most eagerly awaited book in the world. If you don’t believe me then pick up volume one, ‘A Game of Thrones’ and start reading.Continue reading “Dragon Smack”

The 43 Antarean Dynasties

I just listened to this really fun story on Escape Pod. Mike Resnick might be making it onto my list of favourite authors for his sense of humour and deft chracterisation. The 43 Anterean Dynasties

Transrealism

‘Although reading is linear, writing is not.’ Rudy Rucker, The Transrealist Manifesto Where have all the manifestos gone? Art is like motor racing, whilst winning is all well and good its the chance of witnessing a bloody great crash that makes it compelling. Or being in one. Without the odd revolutionary manifesto every once inContinue reading “Transrealism”

Alt.Fiction

Some people mark religious holidays. Others celebrate at rock festivals. I get excited about SF conventions. I’ve got that Xmas day feeling you used to get as a kid and it can only mean one thing . . . ALT FICTION! To be accurate Alt Fiction is a festival, not a convention. There are no Klingon costumes or in fact costume ofContinue reading “Alt.Fiction”

Sunday Subs

Rule One: You Must Write Rule Two: Finish What You Start Rule Three: You Must Refrain From Rewriting, Except to Editorial Order Rule Four: You Must Put Your Story on the Market Rule Five: You Must Keep it on the Market until it has Sold Rule Six: Start Working on Something Else Heinlein’s Rules ofContinue reading “Sunday Subs”