Holy Cow…where did all these books come from?

Its been ages since I updated my progress working through the infinite pile of books beside my bed, so here goes a brief round-up of the last three months. Firstly, I read something like 120 short stories in various states of completition at Clarion. They were the greatest leaning resource for me as a writerContinue reading “Holy Cow…where did all these books come from?”

Get Your Electric Velocipede Hot and Fresh!

Electric Velocipede is without doubt the magazine I most look forward to finding in my mail box. Yes, I know, I’m biased because I’ve featured in their pages. But even if I hadn’t, I hope I would have the sense to recognise what a great ‘zine editor John Klima is putting into the world. TheContinue reading “Get Your Electric Velocipede Hot and Fresh!”

Happy SF

With the news that Jetse de Vries has left the editorial group who make Interzone magazine, some discusion has arisen at the Asimov’s fourm about whether the tone of not just Interzone, but the whole of contemporary science fiction, has become too pessimistic. Its an interesting discussion and makes me wonder, are we in needContinue reading “Happy SF”

Sci-Fi Writing Course

Well people, I’m teaching a one day course in writing short speculative fiction in Leicester in the month of November. I’ll be tossing in lots of what I learnt at Clarion, as well as various other fun and games. Details below, if you or anyone you know should want to take part. ***** Writing FantasyContinue reading “Sci-Fi Writing Course”

You Are Not On Your Own

Well, that was interesting. Obama did exactly what he needed to do tonight. He gave people a vision of the American dream, and unless McCain can trump that vision, or undermine it, this election is as good as won. The soundbites were there for all to see, ‘We are a better country than this’ andContinue reading “You Are Not On Your Own”

The Tribes of Art

Certain tensions crop up over and again in conversations about art, be it art v commerce, truth v beauty or the ever popular form v content. Now comics, once derided as “just for kids” but now the source of some of our most powerful storytelling, have entered the high falutin’ fray in the form ofContinue reading “The Tribes of Art”