Blood Red Dust Gains Great Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

From Glen Donaldson on Goodreads: Enjoyed? I positively feasted on this book! It opened a door to a behive-world of thoughty concepts and high-res imagination the likes of which I have rarely seen. The 'frolicksome' character of Jannine deserved a book all on her own! You really have dynamited the vault and poured out the …

Continue reading Blood Red Dust Gains Great Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

A Walk in the Autumn Forest

Let’s face it, the past few days, weeks and months have been pretty traumatic. In UK, the unresolved Brexit situation lingers. Devastating earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes, have caused destruction worldwide. And a new President Elect threatens changes of real consequence to more than just the USA. So it’s been a pretty torrid time. Hope’s depressed, …

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Looking for the Best Word? Tip #12

A series exploring similar and dissimilar words for ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus gives substitutes for the idea of a word, but not all are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing alternative words in the same sentence to see if they actually make sense …

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Liking is Lovely, but Sharing is Caring.

All of us who blog, or use a website to inform potential readers about our books, are aware of the struggle for exposure, the difficulty of getting our names out there. We indulge in online activity to add value to the lives of others (at least, I hope we do: those interested only in self-promotion …

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Looking for the Best Word? Tip #11

Examining similar and dissimilar words for ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus suggests substitutes for the idea of a word, but not all these are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing alternative words in the same sentence to see if they actually make sense is …

Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #11

Yes, I Named My Daughter Gaylord Focker, by Joseph Joel, Reviewed.

An unusual book, in that the longest ‘chapter’ containing prose is the introduction by the author. However, this amusing preface says all that’s needed to introduce readers to the lists of absurd, improbable, insane and downright insulting names that parents have saddled their offspring with and some companies have labelled themselves as. The phrase ‘A …

Continue reading Yes, I Named My Daughter Gaylord Focker, by Joseph Joel, Reviewed.

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #10

Examining similar and dissimilar words to find ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus gives substitutes for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true synonyms. Context is vital. Putting alternative words in the same sentence to see if they actually make sense …

Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #10

A Miscellany for Word Lovers, by Robin Hosie & Vic Mayhew, Reviewed.

As a writer and a reader, I love words. They’re the ingredients that form marvellous works and the means for the storyteller to create wonderful tales. This collection, presented as a series of quizzes interspersed with all manner of facts relating to words, is readily accessible. It’s also a brilliant resource for writers. It provides …

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Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making – Cover Reveal!

In a couple of days, I'll be announcing the launch (soft at present, as the official launch will occur on 19th November at Fantasticon 2016 in Hull). But, to keep you up to date, here's the cover of Blood Red Dust: Volume 1 (Generation Mars). This is my new science fiction novel. Watch this space …

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Looking for the Best Word? Tip #09

A series of posts examining similar and dissimilar words to suggest ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing alternative words in the same sentence to see whether they …

Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #09

Around the World in 80 Tales, by Dave Tomlinson, Reviewed.

There are stories from much of the world here, though the bulk concern East Asia, Australia and South America. The author uses simple everyday language to convey his adventures in often exotic locations. The style is easy and peppered with humour, humanity and the occasional caution. This is travel on a budget, so we’re treated …

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Returning to the Digital Drama

On 20th September, I wrote a short piece titled ‘Denying Digital Demands’. This is the follow-up. If possible, once a year, I attempt a break from the demands of online life. Usually, it coincides with a holiday away from home. Breaking free from both the everyday and the unending demands of constant connection can refresh …

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Chopin’s Ghost, by Cary Marc Grossman, Reviewed.

Fantasy merges with scholarship under the masterful guidance of real, original imagination. This book will be pigeonholed as fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, romance, crime, historical and erotic. It is all and none of these: it is something much bigger and better. Playing with time, power, culture and wealth, this novel is at heart a love …

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Looking for the Best Word? Tip #08

These posts examine similar, and sometimes dissimilar, words in an effort to suggest ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing alternative words in the same sentence to …

Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #08

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #07

  For a short introduction to this series, please click this link. These posts examine similar, and sometimes dissimilar, words in an effort to suggest ways writers might make their work more varied, accessible, interesting, accurate and effective. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true …

Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #07