Category Archives: Writing Journal

A Little Space Between Things

I’ve take a little break from writing over the last few weeks. Not a break in writing itself, as I have still done a bit, but a break from making myself write. To paraphrase David Mamet, a writers life is 10% achievement and 90% guilt, but for the last few weeks I’ve taken my footContinue reading “A Little Space Between Things”

The Politics of Gloom

The debate on positivity in science fiction continues. Co-editor of Years Best SF Kathryn Cramer makes a robust response to my Guardian article on the subject. Lou Anders, editorial director of Pyr, finds the middle ground and Jetse de Vries, who started the debate back in January, rebutts Cramer’s response. There have been too manyContinue reading “The Politics of Gloom”

Free World Fantasy E-Books

Tor.com are offering two free e-books nominated for this years World Fantasy awards. I have not read either War of the Oaks by Emma Bull or Dogland by Will Shetterly, but look forward to getting into both quite soon. You can download the e-books for free for the next month, but will need to beContinue reading “Free World Fantasy E-Books”

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”