Author Archives: Damien Walter

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?”

Guardian Books Podcast – SF Special

I have the pleasure of being a guest on this week’s Guardian Books Podcast. This was my second time on the show, but this time around the whole episode is dedicated  to speculative fiction. Hurrah! We discuss the new John Wyndham novel (yes, you heard that right) and the reasons why there are so manyContinue reading “Guardian Books Podcast – SF Special”

Whatever happened to the Next Weird?

The first Guardian blog post I wrote (just under two years ago…how time flies!) was titled The new world of the New Weird. I wrote the piece fully aware that the New Weird had already been and gone, but with the idea that it was none the less an interesting movement in genre fiction toContinue reading “Whatever happened to the Next Weird?”

A Night of Strange and Vivid Pictures

I had a sleepless night last night. Not a ‘deep dark tea time of the soul’ kind of night, more a ‘strange vivid pictures in the head’ kind of night. About midnight the first paragraph of a story I’ve been considering for some time came to mind. I worked on the story for an hourContinue reading “A Night of Strange and Vivid Pictures”

Damo’s Ebook Reader Review

So. As regular readers will know I gifted myself an eReader for Xmas. I did this for  a number of reasons. Firstly, I read. A lot. I read for my day job, for my writing, as a reviewer and for pleasure, so I wanted to see if an eReader could make my work stream moreContinue reading “Damo’s Ebook Reader Review”

Science Fiction is not about science

Today I occupied myself with more reading, and the first draft of my battleplan for 2010. Real down time is a rarity in my life these days, so I’ve been soaking up every moment of solitude before the world starts turning again. I made it through the entirety of Ayn Rand’s Anthem in one sitting.Continue reading “Science Fiction is not about science”