The Summer That Melted Everything, by Tiffany McDaniel, Reviewed.

On 29/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review4 Comments

I was invited to read and review this book by the author, and did so via the services of NetGalley. Reading: what is it? A way of vicariously living? A route into the lives of others? A key to the insight of the wise and experienced? It’s these and so much more. Over the past …

Continue reading The Summer That Melted Everything, by Tiffany McDaniel, Reviewed.

Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 26/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars, Progress2 Comments

This week I’ve moved up to 65,572 words in the second rewrite, so another 32,290 words forced through the processor. With luck, and application, I should start on the next phase at the end of the coming week. That’s the part where I make sure exactly the right words are in place and check that …

Continue reading Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

Making Friends with the Crocodile, by Mick Canning, Reviewed.

On 20/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review2 Comments

Some writers have obviously occupied the place they’re writing about. Mick Canning is one such. The immersive depth of settings in this book is so great that the reader feels like a resident. But this book is primarily about injustice and casual cruelty to women in India. That this is a traditional aspect of life …

Continue reading Making Friends with the Crocodile, by Mick Canning, Reviewed.

Tiger Blood, by Penny Grubb, Reviewed.

On 17/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review

We were introduced to D.S. Martyn Webber in Buried Deep (an excellent read) but in Tiger Blood he takes centre stage. His home life is complicated by an event he’d rather not remember, but the woman involved won’t let him off that easily. The results of his indiscretion haunt him throughout this superb crime novel. …

Continue reading Tiger Blood, by Penny Grubb, Reviewed.

Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 12/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Progress7 Comments

This week’s progress report reveals I’m now 19799 words into the second rewrite. It’s been a bit of a bitty week with various appointments here and there as well as necessary work in the garden, so the writing has not been the only draw on my time. I’m still enjoying the process, and hope to …

Continue reading Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 05/06/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Progress3 Comments

This week’s progress report reveals I’m now 71847 words into the first rewrite, which takes me 8302 words further than last week, most of this is new work, as the story needed revision due to research. In fact, I’m now writing the final chapter of the current version. However, I was struck by an idea …

Continue reading Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

Progress on the WIP. SciFi in the Making.

On 29/05/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Progress

This week’s progress report reveals that I’m now 63545 words into the first rewrite, which takes me 17762 words further than last week at this time. I’ve had to take out some of the original story as a result of additional information I’ve gathered from the last lot of research. It’s actually given the story …

Continue reading Progress on the WIP. SciFi in the Making.

Progress on the WIP

On 14/05/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars, Progress6 Comments

12 days since I last gave you an update on the scifi novel I’m currently writing. I’ve been quite busy on a number of things, both domestic and in the writing arena since. Suffice it to say that progress hasn’t been as rapid as I’d hoped. But I’m not beating myself up over that: life …

Continue reading Progress on the WIP

Synthesis, Fantastic SciFi Anthology Now in Print.

On 27/04/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review

The science fiction anthology from Fantastic Books Publishing is now available in print form. I’ve already reviewed this when it first appeared as an ebook. You’ll find the review by clicking this link. I have a story in this excellent collection of imagination and future speculation mixed with fantasy scifi. Great stories, now available for …

Continue reading Synthesis, Fantastic SciFi Anthology Now in Print.

Seems I’m One of Goodreads’ Top 1% of Reviewers!

On 06/04/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Review16 Comments

I feel I should share this piece of good news with you all. I hope you'll find it interesting. It's a copy of an email I received today: Hello Stuart, In our community of readers, you stand out in a notable way: You're one of the top 1% of reviewers on Goodreads! With every rave and …

Continue reading Seems I’m One of Goodreads’ Top 1% of Reviewers!

Fear of Flying, by Erica Jong, Reviewed.

On 30/03/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review4 Comments

This book needs no more reviews; but I’m a compulsive reviewer, so here goes. I’m of the generation the author writes about in this modern classic and found so many points on which I was able to connect that it was like making a visit to my early home. However, my enjoyment of the period …

Continue reading Fear of Flying, by Erica Jong, Reviewed.

Synthesis, Published by Fantastic Books Publishing, Reviewed.

On 26/03/201627/03/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review6 Comments

This anthology of science fiction stories by many different authors is a fantastic collection of disparate views of the future presented by creative talents. I must, however, before I expand on that summary, confess to my vested interest: I’m one of the authors. But, as a single voice among 27 stories, I feel justified in …

Continue reading Synthesis, Published by Fantastic Books Publishing, Reviewed.

Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 43.

On 10/03/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Grammar, Word Choice

We writers often share ideas to improve our craft. Here are some ways to trim your writing. Readers will value the absence of redundancies and flabby expressions. Emergency situation: Situation is extraneous here, so we can manage without it. e.g. They have an emergency situation at the flower festival; all the petals are falling off! …

Continue reading Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 43.

The Red Room, by Joan Barbara Simon, Reviewed.

On 10/03/201630/07/2017 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Literature, Poetry, Reading, Review

I have never read anything like this. Now, there’s a statement. But what does it mean? This book is subtitled, ‘a portfolio’ and that’s a good description of the range of contents. First, let me advise potential readers that this is material for adults. Those who seek gentle reassurance in romance and the sweet murmurings …

Continue reading The Red Room, by Joan Barbara Simon, Reviewed.

First Draft of the Mars Book Finished.

On 09/03/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars, Progress10 Comments

Much to my surprise, I finished the first draft of the current WIP, yesterday. This science fiction novel set on Mars currently has no title, other than ‘the Mars book’, which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly inspiring! Why was I surprised? I write as a pantster, so I don’t work to a plot, merely a …

Continue reading First Draft of the Mars Book Finished.