Vampires, Caesar and Fairytales

The infamous book pile grew considerably over Christmas, although not as much as it might have. I’ve been resisting temptation  wherever possible. It’s a struggle. I dipped into the world of E-Books to pick up Forests of the Heart by Charles de Lint. Mr  de Lint is a cult figure in contemporary fantasy but hisContinue reading “Vampires, Caesar and Fairytales”

The Gap

I am tapping this out on my new Ipod Touch which is the closest thing to a portable computer I have ever encountered. Aren’t Xmas presents great? The keyboard is a little fiddley so please excuse the inevitable spelling mistake. I’ve always had something against the gap between Xmas and new year. Who knows why?Continue reading “The Gap”

Help Damien Pick His Holiday Reads

Its a tough life being a writer. Take poor old William Gibson. I read all of Gibson’s books obsessively in my mid-teens. I’ve traveled great distances to see him speak. I’ve even twice been compared to him in pseudo psychometric testing. But when I was less than gripped by his new novel ‘Spook Country’ IContinue reading “Help Damien Pick His Holiday Reads”

Kindle – Publisher Bane?

Amazon released its new Kindle e-book reader today. Techie types have been predicting the rise of the e-book for decades. Is it finally about to happen? Either way, its the publishers who should be scared of e-books. And writers who stand to benefit. If a healthy online market place for e-books emerges, it really callsContinue reading “Kindle – Publisher Bane?”

Rings Extract

UPDATE: This extract from My Love Sick Zombie Boy Band was posted when the story was still being drafted under its working title of Rings. But this secene remained through to the final draft (largely) intact. *** Rings grew out of lots of thinking I’ve been doing about magic in urban settings, and the specificContinue reading “Rings Extract”

Honking Great Update

Its Sunday and I finally have a free half-hour to update the blog. So how is my life as a writer for hire going? Well since going PT at work I have installed myself as unoffical writer in residence at Leicester University Library where the studious atmosphere and lack of internet mean I have noContinue reading “Honking Great Update”

Momentum reviewed on The Fix

My short story Momentum has been reviewed as part of Electric Velocipede #13 on The Fix. Its a good review that pinpoints the same flaws in the story I would have, and pays it a big compliment. What with being reviewed, reviewing, writing new stuff, starting new freelance work, being mentored and sleeping I haven’tContinue reading “Momentum reviewed on The Fix”