I was introduced to Fear of Dying by a friend after I’d read and reviewed Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying. Inevitably, there’s a temptation to compare, which I’ll attempt to resist. I’m of the same generation as the author, though a few years younger, so I’ve lived through the years she’s experienced and understand many …
Continue reading Fear of Dying, by Erica Jong, Reviewed.
Regular visitors to the blog will know I usually review works of fiction. But I also do this for nonfiction, when I think it'll be useful for readers. My recent move to the Forest of Dean has meant I've discovered species of bird unknown to me, so I bought this book to help my wife …
Continue reading Collins Complete Guide to British Birds, by Paul Sterry, Reviewed.
Madeleine McDonald’s book is a traditional romance set in an unusual location. Told from the points of view of the two main protagonists, the story reveals secrets about both that neither are aware of in each other. The clash of cultures and personal histories makes the possible resolution of this romance uncertain until the very …
Continue reading Enchantment in Morocco, by Madeleine McDonald, Reviewed.
Who’d have thought a novel written from the point of view of a fourteen-year-old American chapel-going girl would find favour with an agnostic British male pensioner? This one did, and how! Lily is given an authentic voice by the writer so that there’s no danger of author intrusion in this tale of prejudice, faith, injustice …
Continue reading The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, Reviewed.
A short while ago, I entered a short story into a contest. As usual, I then forgot all about it. A few days ago, I received an email to tell me my story, whilst not a winner, had been shortlisted and was to feature along with 25 others. It’s a collection of humorous stories written …
Continue reading Featured in a New Anthology.
What is it? It's a different kind of fantasy/scifi/gaming convention open to anyone and everyone with an interest in these popular topics. A place to take part, rather than simply a market place (though there are things to buy for those who want them, of course). And if you're a Dr Who fan, you'll find …
Continue reading Fantastic Fantasticon 2015:
It's been a while: my apologies. I've been rethinking certain aspects of my writing life and deciding what changes I need to make, and when and where. And domestics have been a little unsettled recently with some slightly changed priorities that have made it temporarily more difficult to get on with my writing. Next Saturday, I'll be at …
Continue reading Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 10.
I was inspired to ask this by a short blog post I came across on ANewDomain, via Book2Book, a daily email from BookTrade. It set me to wondering whether we, as writers, are our own worst enemies. And it was reinforced by another short piece I read a little while ago at Digital Book World …
Continue reading Question For the Week: Do Cheap and Free Books Devalue Books?
Time and again, I read a post on a writer's site (or some other interesting blog) and want to share the information with my own readers and/or friends. And, time and again, I discover the blogger hasn't provided any sharing facilities. That makes it awkward to share, so I often don't bother. And, yet, it …
Continue reading #Tips for Sharing Posts Online
Raising money for  Action for M.E. Charity Registration No. 1036419 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is a disabling and chronic illness, devastating the lives of 250,000 people in the UK. Action for M.E. provides support and information for those touched by M.E., and campaigns for better services and invests in research to ultimately find a cure. I'm …
Continue reading Running for ME/CFS no. 50 and #Free Books
From today, you can read my latest book. M.E. and me: Chronic Fatigue, My Recovery After 10 Years is now available as an eBook through Smashwords by clicking here, or in digital and print forms through Amazon by clicking here. ME/CFS is a debilitating condition that’s still not properly understood. It deprives victims of their …
Continue reading Today’s the Day!
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 …
Continue reading The Evolution of a Book Cover.
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 …
Continue reading Running and Writing for ME/CFS no. 33
Running: This week, we travelled back up north to our native Yorkshire and collected our daughter, Kate, from her digs with a friend. She’s finished her temporary waitressing job in the area is staying with us in our new home in the Forest of Dean until the middle of the month. Then she flies out …
Continue reading Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.27
This collection of short fiction from many different authors is based on the following theme: ‘I have a list and a map. What can possibly go wrong?’ And, of course, these creative authors show the reader just what can go wrong. I confess at this point that I’m a guest author for this anthology, but …
Continue reading Wrong! A Themed Anthology 2014, Edited by Deborah Owen; Reviewed.
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Antidote to the Novel
Stuart Aken 