Damien Walter

So, like, where’d all the politics go?

Tomorrow I lead the first of three workshops in Science Fiction and Politics. (The organisers have sold 14 out of 12 tickets, which I take as a good sign.) I’ve had good fun selecting books to talk about, and looking through the sometimes odd political perspectives SF writers have taken over the years. I’ve alsoContinue reading “So, like, where’d all the politics go?”

To do or not to do

On Monday morning my to do list looked like what the infinite monkeys came up with before they got to Hamlet, a seemingly random collection of tasks that I had no possibility of completing in the finite space of five days. Today I’ve had the pleasure of crossing half of it out. (Or rather tickingContinue reading “To do or not to do”

A plea to Iain M. Banks

Dear Iain, It’s been 10 years, and I don’t know how much longer I can wait. The millennium was new, the future seemed boundless and Look to Windward had just been published. We, your fans, were ecstatic to see a new novel from Iain M Banks. We had waited patiently as you conquered the worldContinue reading “A plea to Iain M. Banks”

A long walk back in time

Sometimes, when I’m thinking about a story, I like to go for a good long walk. Fresh air and endorphines work wonders for the imagination. Yesterday evening I was struck with an idea for a World War 2 inspired story with Weird themes. I fell asleep on the sofa making character notes, then when IContinue reading “A long walk back in time”

Reading at Short Fuse – True Romance

I will be reading at Short Fuse again on 16th February. This is my 3rd time reading at the event and I’m glad to be invited back. The night is themed around True Romance, and I will be reading a new short story ‘At the heart of the maze i will find’. More details below:Continue reading “Reading at Short Fuse – True Romance”

Americaland

At Clarion, I was nailed more than once for drawing on America as a setting and source for my writing. Given that I’m British, and my stories were being critiqued by a group of very intelligent and culturally aware Americans from across that vast continent, I really had no defence. After one critique Neil talkedContinue reading “Americaland”

Science Fiction and Politics

I’ve always been fascinated by the way Science Fiction comments on political and social issues. So I am truly excited to have the opportunity to lead a series of workshops on the subject. The Science Fiction and Politics workshops will take place at the new Nottingham Contemporary gallery, starting at 5:30pm on 23rd February, 9thContinue reading “Science Fiction and Politics”

Use The Force Damo

You remember the climactic scene in Star Wars right, where Luke is on the trench run to destroy the Death Star, and instead of relying on his tracking computer uses the Force to hit his target? Well…that’s me and writing at the moment. Kind of. For writers, the tracking computer is your mind. It wantsContinue reading “Use The Force Damo”

The Writing Engine

I’ve taken a writing break through the month of January. I can’t say it was entirely deliberate, but neither has it been negative. Between two weeks of viral infection, getting back up to speed with work and a flurry of preparations for the Writing Industries Conference, I have had to concede that writing would haveContinue reading “The Writing Engine”

iPad Fail. iBook Win.

So Apple has launched the mythical iPad / iTablet / iSlate to the world. It is officially called the iPad, and it will sell millions. And then be the most common device in second hand electronics stores when people realise it has no real application. Apple had to pull something new out of the bagContinue reading “iPad Fail. iBook Win.”

LOROS Fundraiser Reading

I am doing a special reading on Saturday 30th January, and I would like to invite readers of this blog to attend. LOROS is a Leicestershire hospice offering care for those who are dying. I was really honoured to be asked by local writer Keith Large to read at a fundraiser event for the charity.Continue reading “LOROS Fundraiser Reading”

Are 70% royalties the future?

It’s possible that 27th January might be remembered as the day that destroyed publishing. But if it is, it may be a day of joy for writers. Unless you are living under a stone or a raving technophobe you are probably aware that on 27th January, Apple, the people who brought you the iPod andContinue reading “Are 70% royalties the future?”