In the Nick of Time!

The paperback proof copy arrived today and it looks good. I was hoping to get this in time for the print version to be available at the same time as the ebook, which has been on pre-order for a couple of weeks. The launch date for that is 14th June. The process with Amazon and …

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Like Being on TV; only Different.

Yesterday, 10th June, I spent an hour in live conversation online with Sally Ember. Sally is a writer and writing tutor who has ventured into the world of Google+ Hangouts in a way beneficial to readers and writers. She invites writers to share their thoughts with readers in her weekly show, Changes. I choose to …

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Live Online, Talking Books, Fiction, and Much More

Tomorrow, Wednesday 10th June, I’ll be live online in conversation with author Sally Ember, Ed.D on her talk show at *Changes*. It’s not so much an interview as a chat between authors and bloggers, covering topics of mutual interest. We’re both interested in writing in different genres, especially science fiction and speculative fiction, as well …

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Lucky Always, by E.D. Lappin, Reviewed.

This is a singular novel from an author who really knows how to tell a story. Set in the murky world of ‘black ops’ during the troubles of Northern Ireland, this book gives insights into a world that many readers will suspect, but could never be sure, existed. The depth of research is extraordinary, with …

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The Evolution of a Book Cover.

Book covers, we all need them, and most indie authors try to design these themselves. Sometimes, though not often, it works. Many of the results are pretty grotty. I have some small experience of illustration and graphics, fonts and typography, from a spell working at a local art college as a graphics technician. I also …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 35

Writing: As you now know, the book, M.E. and me: Chronic Fatigue; My Recovery After 10 Years has been published in digital form and will be released on 14th June. It’s currently on offer as a ‘pre-order’ item on both Smashwords and Kindle. If you click on either of those names, you’ll be whisked away …

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A-Z Guide to Thassos, by Tony Oswin, Reviewed.

If you want to know about the place you’re visiting for a holiday, the A-Z guides are very useful. Although in print form, they include links to online information, which is kept up-to-date on an almost daily basis. So, you buy the book and use the included password to gain access to the websites. I’d …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 34

Excitement! Writing: The excitement? Finally, the book is published. I’ve uploaded the digital version to Smashwords and you can order it by clicking this link. I’ve also put on Amazon for the Kindle. No link for that yet, as it’ll take a day or so to appear on their site. However, I’ve decided on a …

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No Flies on Frank, by Danuta Reah, Reviewed.

This is a little gem. A sort of cosy-crime/horror melange. It's a short work, and wastes no words to tell its tale. No doubt some readers will find it grisly, but I thought I detected a certain tongue-in-cheek approach on behalf of the writer. There is an undertone of dark humour and the author carries …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 33

Running: Completed all three runs this week. The first on Wednesday was a fifteen-minute easy run, which found me trotting along the usual disused railway track through the forest. The sun shone, dappling the ground, and the spring birds were full of song. A lovely run, covering a little more distance than previously. Friday saw …

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Diamond Rain, by Michael Gallagher, Reviewed.

This is science fiction by an author who knows how to tell a story. It’s a complex thriller with elements of the spy genre coupled with a background romance and set in a not-too-distant future on an Earth where nanotechnology has developed in frightening directions. The characters are all well drawn and totally credible. Settings …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 32

Running: Injured! Not too serious. I spent much of Friday removing a fire surround, hearth and an old gas fire from our sitting room. The fire had been disconnected from the gas mains as the heating engineer had found it unsafe. The surround and hearth were both a piece of cake. But the gas fire: …

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Trees, by Benjamin Perkins, Reviewed.

I’ve had this book since it was published in 1984. It’s always sat on the shelf to be dipped into. But I now live in a forest, so it seemed the right time to give it a little more attention than I had. I bought the book largely for its superb illustrations. The detail and …

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For All Kindle Lovers.

It takes a little while sometimes. Fantastic Books Publishing put my science fiction novella, The Methuselah Strain, into their store at the beginning of this week and placed it into the hands of Amazon at the same time. I removed my old self-published version, since the new edition is improved and enhanced. After a period …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 31

Running: Wednesday, I was due a 10-minute easy run and trotted through the village, covering just a little more distance than the last time. Friday was a 15-minute run, but the morning had been disrupted by a delivery and we then spent the afternoon in the garden, laying paving stones, so I was too knackered …

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