Short Story: Ella.

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: …

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Oddities Observed On Outings #19

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 appearance.This one was taken on a weir on the …

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#ScenicSaturday August 3rd 2024: 

This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging people to share them and maybe even help save our unique home planet from human carelessness and indifference.Today’s photo was taken from the window in my study, not today but in an August a couple of years past. One of the trees in the picture …

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Short Story: Manners and the Man

Photos from a visit to Fallingbostel and other German towns, using film, not digital tech, back in 1990. This short story was placed 3rd in the Ormskirk Writers & Literary Club contest in October 2004, and was also published in the small literary magazine, Ouse Valley Poetry, sadly no longer around. Enjoy! Manners and the …

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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 …

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#ScenicSaturday July 27th 2024: 

This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging people to share them and maybe even help save our unique home planet from human carelessness and indifference.Today’s photo was taken on a sunny day in July in the Forest of Dean. I was struck by the contrast between the illuminated branch and leaves against …

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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, …

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Oddities Observed On Outings #17

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 perhaps by their incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their odd location.This one was taken in the small Italian …

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#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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#ScenicSaturday July 20th 2024: 

This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging people to share them and maybe even help save our unique home planet from human carelessness and indifference.Today’s photo was taken in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and shows a landscape not far from the charming market town of Hawes. The drystone walls that delineate …

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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, …

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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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Oddities Observed On Outings #16

In this continuing series I’m looking at things seen when out walking. Some of these objects will be familiar to certain readers, but many are likely to be unfamiliar to most. I’m presenting those that caught my attention perhaps by their unusual placing, incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their oddness.This series features individual items of clothing …

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