As a special gift this festive period Murky Depths are offering a free download of issue no.6, which just happens to feature my short story Horizon. Murky Depths are quickly establishing as one of the leading British spec.fic publications, added by their cunning combination of comics and short fiction. Go have a read! You canContinue reading “Free download of Murky Depths 6”
Category Archives: Writing & Publishing
What is the the demographic for the fantastic?
I just took a stride through the SFF section of my local Waterstones. I do this regularly but I don’t tarry as long I used to, there are rarely enough new additions to hold my attention for more than a moment. For many reasons the books I really want to read often aren’t to beContinue reading “What is the the demographic for the fantastic?”
Where are science fiction’s superstars?
I’ve been following the unfolding debate about the decline of science fiction over at Mark Charan Newton’s blog, and recently added my own response: Hmm…I think your insight into the industry is strong Mark, but actually I think you are over complicating the problem facing SF. I pin it on something much simpler…the Michael JordanContinue reading “Where are science fiction’s superstars?”
Are the interwebs destroying reading?
The other thing about colds (I’m pretty sure this a bad cold and not flu but that’s purely an assumption. I’ve never really known the difference between the two. So I’m either manfully resisting the the flu germs, or caving into a common garden cold like a wuss) hmmm…where was I? Oh yes, the otherContinue reading “Are the interwebs destroying reading?”
Keep them doggies rollin’
I’ve developed a taste for finishing things. Finishing things has long been my problem. Of Heinlein’s Rules, number 2 is the one I break time and again. There are reasons. I’ve been learning to write, many of my unfinished stories will stay that way because I’ve learned what I needed to learn from them. AndContinue reading “Keep them doggies rollin’”
Clocks, bookshops, gothic fairies and Wolfes
I finished a new short story this evening. Its one of those stories that isn’t so much written as grown. Its been sitting on my desktop for a year. Every so often I add anything from a few lines to an entire paragraph. I think of this as writing by accrual. The story builds upContinue reading “Clocks, bookshops, gothic fairies and Wolfes”
Ask not what your ‘zine can do for you
I spent most of this Sunday evening planning out a talk I’m giving tomorrow on the subject of The Entrepreneurial Writer. Part of this talk could be called ‘How to get ahead in the cut throat egotistical world game of being a writer’, but mostly I am talking about how writers are important to communities,Continue reading “Ask not what your ‘zine can do for you”
Leicester vs. Nottingham
It’s just over mid way through NaNoWriMo and my home city of Leicester are down 1,101,763 words to 1,471,111 against nearby Nottingham. Come on Leicester…just write fish over and over again! I made the sane choice of not doing NaNoWriMo this year, I have another writing target that takes precedent which I will reveal atContinue reading “Leicester vs. Nottingham”
Writing by Hand
I’ve been typing up from the first draft of my ninja story this evening. Moving from first o second draft is my favourite part of the writing process. First draft is exciting, so hence also scary. Its like a new relationship. You have all these great expectations and lots of passion, and sometimes things turnContinue reading “Writing by Hand”
Bookshops are not Churches. But.
Earlier this week the Guardian book website unleashed a tumult of anger and frustration against the UK’s largest bookseller, Waterstones. The thrust of Stuart Jeffries article was that with its increasing commercialisation (3-4-2 sales, celebrity biogs etc etc) Waterstones had gone from saviour to destroyer of bookselling in just over a decade.
Franchise Heaven
Over at Ecstatic Days, Mark Charan Newton talks to Black Library superstar Dan Abnet about the strengths of fiction franchises, a conversation which should be had more. Franchise novels are a much derided form of fiction. In some cases, the derision is spot on. Many franchise novels are poorly written, utterly generic and bottom lineContinue reading “Franchise Heaven”
SOZD Progress Report
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in Support Our ‘Zines Day! I’ve been wonderfuly surprised by how many people have taken the time to get involved. Here are a selection of just a few of the good people who have shown their support: M-Brane SF say 10/1 is SOZD Electric Velocipede remind usContinue reading “SOZD Progress Report”
Damien Walter 