Tag: Author

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

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Reading, Review2 Comments

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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Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 36

On By stuartakenIn Book, charity, Fundraising, ME/CFS, Progress

Writing: Regular visitors will know the book is now published and can be pre-ordered in digital form from Amazon, here, and from Smashwords, here. The paperback has been accepted and I’m awaiting the physical review copy to make sure all is as it should be. It’s due tomorrow. That, too, should be available to buy …

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The Evolution of a Book Cover.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity, ME/CFS9 Comments

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

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity, ME/CFS, Progress4 Comments

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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No Flies on Frank, by Danuta Reah, Reviewed.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Reading, Review

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

On By stuartakenIn Author, charity, Fundraising, ME/CFS, Progress5 Comments

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.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Review4 Comments

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

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity, Fundraising, ME/CFS, Progress10 Comments

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.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Review3 Comments

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.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction

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

On By stuartakenIn Author, charity, Fundraising, Progress

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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The Promised Link is Here!

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction

Last night I promised you a new version of The Methuselah Strain. Here’s the buying link for the publisher’s store. And below is the entry from Fantastic Books Publishing relating to The Methuselah Strain: As the Prime Renegade plans the disabling of automatic systems that support the dwindling human population, she seeks a man to love …

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The Rumours were True!

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction8 Comments

I told you yesterday about rumours that my publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, was planning to issue the new, revised edition of my dystopian science fiction novella, The Methuselah Strain. Well, turns out those reports were true. Dan Grubb, the owner of the publishers, has just emailed me to let me know that the book will …

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Have You Heard the Rumours?

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book2 Comments

There’s a buzz going round that Fantastic Books Publishing are planning to publish the new edition of The Methuselah Strain. I self-published this near-future sci-fi novella a while ago, but Dan, my publisher, believed it deserved more attention. I penned a new section and Dan’s excellent design team have produced a new cover and some …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.30

On By stuartakenIn Author, charity, Fundraising, ME/CFS, Progress4 Comments

Running: This week’s training started with a 15 minute ‘easy’ run on Wednesday. I covered a little more ground than on the last time I did this run. Friday was a 20 minute easy run and, again, I covered a little more ground through the forest alive with birdsong and sunlight. Today, Sunday, was a …

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