Free Short Story: Looking For Lucy.

This short story was first published in the small literary magazine, ‘Scribble’, in January 2004. The magazine continues to be published quarterly as a printed magazine at A5 size, by Park Publications, and can be found here. I still subscribe to the mag. With an annual subscription of only £19.00 per annum for the print …

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Free Short Story: Not The Type to Murder His Wife

This short story was published in a literary magazine that is no longer published. VIEWPOINT was a small press mag and published this story on 31st March 2003, having placed it 4th in their contest. Not The Type to Murder His Wife Charles, murder his wife for another woman? Preposterous. Makes you wonder what they …

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A Free Short Story: Bri.

This short story was published as a prize winner (placed 2nd) in a UK writing magazine, Writers Forum, that’s since ceased publication. It’s from October 2002. Some readers may find this story disturbing. I hope so, it was written to disturb. BRI Bri laughed as the cartoon mouse hacked the cat into a thousand bloody slices. …

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A Short Story For You.

The Gate A short story, first published as a prize-winner in Northern Short Stories Vol 5. in 1994. This was when I published under my given name, before I discovered, via Google, that there were umpteen writers using that name. I created my pen name a little later.But enough about that. Here's the short story …

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How Goes the WIP?

On Sunday, 17th March, I reported that the WIP had reached 20,293 words and I was working on Chapter 8. I’d intended to report back yesterday, but got rather engaged by Natalie Bennet’s excellent and hope-inspiring ‘Change Everything’ and rather lost track of the time. You’ll find my review of this timely book about the …

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The Owl Service, by Alan Garner: #BookReview.

I have no memory of acquiring this book, which is considered a children’s classic. I wonder if the mystery of its origin in my home was a factor in keeping me reading it since I found it hard work.Generally, I need to empathise with at least one character in a book to give it any …

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Spirits of the Ghan, by Judy Nunn: #BookReview.

I love it when a new book comes my way by a serendipitous route. This one was a present from my daughter’s mother-in-law, with us for a short while over the Xmas period. She’d finished it so handed it to me rather than take it back on that long flight to Tasmania. It’s an absorbing …

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The Sea and Little Fishes, by Terry Pratchett: #BookReview.

I’m sure I once read a Terry Pratchett book, but judging by my records it must have been many years ago. I read this book largely because of his reputation; I could do with some laughter in this awful world we currently inhabit. Fortunately, I found the humour I needed. But it’s an intelligent humour, …

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Kaleidoscope, a Charity Flash Fiction Anthology published by Fantastic Books Publishing: #BookReview.

This anthology of flash fiction stories contains the winners of the competition set up by the publisher to raise funds for two charities, Special Effect and Stack Up. Entrants had to make a donation (amount left to the individual) to one of these charities in place of an entry fee. Each story had to be …

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The Little Sisters of Eluria, by Stephen King: #BookReview.

Generally speaking, I’ve found that if it’s by Stephen King, it’s worth reading. I’ve yet to be disappointed. This is one of the books in the Dark Tower series. I’ve read a couple of others but hadn’t come across this one. It’s prefaced by a comment that it can be read as a stand-alone, and …

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Fancy Some Fantastic New Books, Free?

The imaginative and generous independent publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, is launching 9 new titles during the period 14th October to 4th November. There are books for all tastes here. But the point of this post is the competition accompanying the launches. You can win copies of all these books quite simply. You merely have to …

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Lady Hartley’s Husbands, by Andrea Emblin #BookReview.

A real saga of a novel in which we travel through the life of the female protagonist, Irene, known to her friends as Reene, from her 16th birthday life-changing event to…well that would be spoiling the story. Let’s just say we leave her in her more mature years. There is, as the title suggests, more …

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The Umbrellas of Hamelin, by Sue Knight, Reviewed.

Literature? Fantasy? Science Fiction? Magical Realism? All of these appear in this anthology of remarkable short stories. Sometimes the style borders on the surreal, sometimes stream of consciousness is employed, but all the tales are imaginative and thoughtful, managing to capture mood and emotional turmoil, some are terrifying cross-genre pieces that stir emotions and ideas. …

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Riding the High Road, by Penny Frances: #BookReview.

Through the varied voices of Pat, a mother with a difference, her son, Gethin, and Jez, a young woman with a troubled past, we take journeys both intertwined and separate as they try to come to terms with their own lives. This is a turbulent ride where love, gender, complex relationships, drugs, and alcohol all …

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Do You Remember the Barn Owl? by Barbara Lorna Hudson: #BookReview.

This collection of short stories, which vary in length and style, reflects the skill and themes of interest to the author. It’s a diverse array, well-written and constructed, and includes some stories that have been previously published in various literary journals. There is great variety here, with many subjects and themes explored, always with emotional …

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