This story first earned a Certificate of Distinction in the Mere Literary Festival in 2004. In 2008, it was published in the print literary magazine, Scribble, winter 08/09 edition. And in July 2010 it was published in Issue 31of Isthmus, a print literary magazine that has since ceased publication, unfortunately. ELLA They must re-house her: …
Category: Reading
The Invisible Doctrine, by George Monbiot & Peter Hutchinson #BookReview.
Subtitled ‘The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life)', and providing 57 pages of bibliography indicating the sources of research, this small book may be counted as one of the most important pieces of work to arise in the current situation.It’s clear most people remain unaware of the threat posed …
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Oddities Observed On Outings #18
In this continuing series I’m looking at things seen when out walking. Some of the objects will be familiar to certain readers, but many are likely to be unfamiliar to most. I’m presenting those that caught my attention through their incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their odd placing or appearance. This one was taken in a …
Sale of eBooks in July
Hi, Readers, my eBook, Breaking Faith, is available as part of a promotion on Smashwords for the month of July in their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to get my books at 50% discount so you can get right to reading, or download them to your device for enjoying later. As a taster, …
#ShortStory: A Gastronomic Treat at the Edge of the Galaxy.
This story was first published in my anthology, Ten Tales for Tomorrow, a sci-fi collection, on 1st January 2011. The eBook, running to around 30,000 words, is one of half a dozen in a promotion run by the publishing organisation, Smashwords. You can buy it here. Caution: some readers may find some of the content …
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No One is Too Small to Make a Difference, by Greta Thunberg #BookReview.
The mere mention of Greta’s name here may prevent the climate deniers and nay-sayers reading further. Such is the nature of the closed mind. The shame is that these are precisely the people who need to hear the message.The book is small and short, 106 pages of accessible text. These are the speeches Greta made …
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Short Story: Lost and Found.
The short story posted below was first published in my anthology ‘Ten Love Tales’ in 2011.The book is available as an ebook on Smashwords, discounted to half price for the month of July.Lost and Found Cathy, my two brothers and I, had all left home when Mum and Dad moved out of their town house, …
Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury: #Book Review.
Ray Bradbury was one of my earliest writer heroes. I read a lot of his work when I was a teenager and young man. Along with Asimov, Clarke, Aldiss, Heinlein and Wyndham he was one of the authors who created my love of science fiction.This is my second reading of this book. It has been …
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Free Short Story: Looking For Lucy.
This short story was first published in the small literary magazine, ‘Scribble’, in January 2004. The magazine continues to be published quarterly as a printed magazine at A5 size, by Park Publications, and can be found here. I still subscribe to the mag. With an annual subscription of only £19.00 per annum for the print …
The Scorpion God, by William Golding #BookReview.
I’ve enjoyed most of the books by William Golding I’ve read, despite one being a text for my ‘A’ level English Lit GCE.This one, however was tough to enjoy. It was difficult to engage with most of the characters, and the need for a personal familiarity with the times portrayed rather diminished the enjoyment that …
Continue reading The Scorpion God, by William Golding #BookReview.
Sale of Digital Books in July
Hello, Readers!I’m excited to announce that my books, Breaking Faith: But, Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Heir to Death’sFolly: M.E. and me: Ten Love Tales: and Ten Tales for Tomorrow, will all be available as part of apromotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to …
Free Short Story: Not The Type to Murder His Wife
This short story was published in a literary magazine that is no longer published. VIEWPOINT was a small press mag and published this story on 31st March 2003, having placed it 4th in their contest. Not The Type to Murder His Wife Charles, murder his wife for another woman? Preposterous. Makes you wonder what they …
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At Home, by Bill Bryson: #BookReview.
At a little over 600 pages of fascinating text, this book by Bill Bryson kept me turning those leaves. That there are, in addition, 32 pages of bibliography, suggests the author has done his research, and done it thoroughly.The Book is subtitled ‘A Short History of Private Life’ and takes the form of an inspiring …
A Free Short Story: Bri.
This short story was published as a prize winner (placed 2nd) in a UK writing magazine, Writers Forum, that’s since ceased publication. It’s from October 2002. Some readers may find this story disturbing. I hope so, it was written to disturb. BRI Bri laughed as the cartoon mouse hacked the cat into a thousand bloody slices. …
The Golden Age of Roman Britain, by Guy de la Bédoyère: #BookReview.
Much more archaeology has been done since this book was published in 1999, and that will inevitably render some of the observations here less certain, but the bulk of the text is clearly based on sound academic research. One thing I must question, however, is the title. It’s either favouring the wealthy landowners or perhaps …
Continue reading The Golden Age of Roman Britain, by Guy de la Bédoyère: #BookReview.

