Could AI Be Our Nemesis?

Many of those currently promoting the as yet unproven world of Artificial Intelligence are resisting the very idea of regulation, though a few are now questioning that freedom. We’ve all witnessed the results of unregulated commerce and it’s never been pretty.In 2016, yes 10 years ago, I published the first volume of a trilogy ‘Generation …

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The Dark Room, by Minette Walters: #BookReview.

I picked up the hardback copy of this book at a book fair where I was hoping to sell some of my own books. There was a very large stall selling pre-read hardbacks for £1.00. Having read other books by this author, I felt the expense was worth the risk! I’d enjoyed the other titles, …

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Artificial Intelligence: Threat Or Blessing?

Recently we’ve heard a lot of comment on the potential threat AI may pose for humanity, much of it from people who have a vested interest in it as a profitable product. I first came across the idea of AI quite a while ago while researching for a novella I was about to write. This …

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Further Progress On The WIP

The Cezanne Monument in Paris. 'Nude' Once again, it’s been far too long since I updated this aspect of my writing life. Yes, there have been things happening to prevent such notification, but I really should have been more aware of the passage of time.No matter. Here we are.The situation today is that I have …

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My First Book Fair.

As an author, I’ve been present at conventions where selling books was part of the purpose and I was involved with such sales, which included some of my own books. I signed copies, spoke to readers, and even took part in onstage discussions between authors and audience. They were great occasions. Unfortunately, due to a …

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Further Progress On The WIP

The last time I wrote here on this topic was, remarkably, on 1st May this year. So, what have I been doing since? That’s a long story, but mostly, as you will be aware if you follow this blog, I was engaged in slimming down my website to make it more concentrated on my books, …

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Have You Read Breaking Faith?

I’m trying something new today. I’d like more readers for my books and you might be tempted to become one of them. There’ll be one a week, in no particular order.  My first published novel, Breaking Faith, is a romantic thriller. With elements of betrayal, excitement, tragedy, sex, despair, hope, longing, fulfilment, and love it’s …

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So, What About This Work In Progress?

Photo of me working on this post, taken by my lovely wife. I realised today, whilst doing some work on the WIP, I hadn’t reported on progress since Boxing Day last year! My apologies for that neglect. It wasn’t intended. It was incidental, partly dependent on events and priorities beyond my control. No excuses, but …

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Small Hands, Pale and Fragile: a Short Story

Picture from Pixabay, modified by author. The story posted today was originally published in the Autumn 2024 issue of Scribble, a print and online literary magazine. Enjoy the read. I'm afraid this will be the last short story posted here for a short, unspecified time due to other commitments. Small Hands, Pale and Fragile. Nathan …

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‘Bus Pass George’ A Short Story

The picture is from Pixabay. I've modified it to remove identity in the people waiting for their bus. Sorry for the delay this week, we had such a sunny day after some weeks of dull, wet weather, we decided to take a longer walk than usual! This story was first published in the Winter 2021(92) …

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Wine Dark Sea

Wine dark sea, by author, Stuart Aken. A short story for your entertainment. Enjoy. Comment. Wine Dark Sea Eventually, the older couple, introduced only hours before, took the hint. The pair were last to leave the impromptu beach party. Silent but relieved of boredom, Danni silently urged them along the wooden jetty, the dying fire …

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JACK: A Short Story

Photo by Josue Velasquez. This short story was first published in a small print magazine 'Delivered', March 2009 edition. Unfortunately, in common with many of the smaller literary journals, this magazine is no longer published. Enjoy, though it's possible you may shed a tear at one point. JACK Jack stands just within the doorway he’s …

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A Beautiful View

A short story for your entertainment. A Beautiful View. Jim and Grace had held their wedding in Sandsea and had then spent most special occasions together in the same town, so it seemed their natural choice for retirement. With no family, and friends scattered, they had no reason to stay in the city once both …

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F.R.I.G.H.T. – A Short Story

F.R.I.G.H.T. - A short Story for your entertainment: F.R.I.G.H.T. Foster sneered at the novel in front of him. ‘Writers! Shoot the bloody lot if I had my way.’ He leered at the scientist perched on the corner of his desk. ‘Who told him?’ The scientist inclined her head. ‘Not you, was it?’ She bridled, crossed …

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A Perfect Solution: A Short Story

A pool in a Greek Hotel. Here's the next short story in my intention to give you one each week for the whole of 2026. I have a couple of anthologies of short stories, too, for those who love such collections. The one that would be most relevant for those who enjoy the one below …

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