Short Story: The Last Early Rising

This story was first published in the Autumn edition of 2005 of Scribble, a small print magazine published by Park Publications. I also posted this to Medium The Last Early Rising ‘What are you thinking about?’ Kerry stroked his abdomen. ‘How to kill our idiot neighbour without being caught.’ Her fingers migrated. ‘That’d certainly stop …

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Oddities Observed On Outings #18

In this continuing series I’m looking at things seen when out walking. Some of the objects will be familiar to certain readers, but many are likely to be unfamiliar to most. I’m presenting those that caught my attention through their incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their odd placing or appearance. This one was taken in a …

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Oddities Observed On Outings #17

In this continuing series I’m looking at things seen when out walking. Some of the objects will be familiar to certain readers, but many are likely to be unfamiliar to most. I’m presenting those that caught my attention perhaps by their incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their odd location.This one was taken in the small Italian …

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No One is Too Small to Make a Difference, by Greta Thunberg #BookReview.

The mere mention of Greta’s name here may prevent the climate deniers and nay-sayers reading further. Such is the nature of the closed mind. The shame is that these are precisely the people who need to hear the message.The book is small and short, 106 pages of accessible text. These are the speeches Greta made …

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Short Story: Lost and Found.

The short story posted below was first published in my anthology ‘Ten Love Tales’ in 2011.The book is available as an ebook on Smashwords, discounted to half price for the month of July.Lost and Found Cathy, my two brothers and I, had all left home when Mum and Dad moved out of their town house, …

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Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury: #Book Review.

Ray Bradbury was one of my earliest writer heroes. I read a lot of his work when I was a teenager and young man. Along with Asimov, Clarke, Aldiss, Heinlein and Wyndham he was one of the authors who created my love of science fiction.This is my second reading of this book. It has been …

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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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The Scorpion God, by William Golding #BookReview.

I’ve enjoyed most of the books by William Golding I’ve read, despite one being a text for my ‘A’ level English Lit GCE.This one, however was tough to enjoy. It was difficult to engage with most of the characters, and the need for a personal familiarity with the times portrayed rather diminished the enjoyment that …

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#ScenicSaturday July 6th 2024:

This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging people to share them and maybe help save our unique home planet from human carelessness and indifference.Today’s photo was taken from the extensive British Camp Hill Fort on the Malvern Hills, some of which can be seen in the background.The Hill Fort is thought to …

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Sale of Digital Books in July

Hello, Readers!I’m excited to announce that my books, Breaking Faith: But, Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Heir to Death’sFolly: M.E. and me: Ten Love Tales: and Ten Tales for Tomorrow, will all be available as part of apromotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to …

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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, 14th May?

To update you, I last posted about the WIP on 29th April. The word count was then 77,854. Subsequently, the Lawn Bowls season began. I don’t play, but my darling wife’s a keen team member of her local club and, as she doesn’t drive, I’m her taxi for the games. It can be a little …

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How Goes the WIP, 29th April?

Just to update you, I last posted about the WIP on 7th April. At that time, the word count was at 62,531, it has now reached 77,854, following a short break away from home and the computer. In the meantime, I’ve also produced a few short pieces on Oddities Observed and on places visited on …

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