Before we get on to my review of Dave Gullen’s debut novel Shopocalypse, there’s some stuff you need to know. Firstly, Dave is a friend. Secondly, Monico, who publish Shopocalypse, also published my short story collection Downside Girls. Given these two facts, you might expect a partisan review. However… When I write a review or […]

I had a fab break. Just the right mixture of work (Milford and Andromeda One) and play (relaxing in luxury hotel). I have spent much of this week tackling the Great Washing Mountain, and drying out my liver, which took something of a bashing. In addition there is the usual logjam of post-holiday stuff, but […]

Just so’s you know, the paperback of Queen of Nowhere is now available: click on the picture to the right to find out more. (I feel bad putting Amazon links up; I’ve known what they’re like for years, even before their tax shenanigans came to light, but I’ve come to see them, if not as […]

For the last week or so, I have mainly been critting. Critting, short for critiquing, has something in common with reviewing, and something in common with full-on literary criticism, but is in fact neither. When you crit(ique) a story you are not looking for ways to rubbish it or show how clever you are compared […]

This time last week I was at Nine World Geekfest. The convention was, all in all, an excellent experience, especially considering it was the first such event the organisers had staged. Personal highlights included being introduced to the fine art of tea duelling and sharing the dance-floor with an alien. I’ve got a packed schedule […]

I’ve got another panel at Nine Worlds next weekend, this one as part of the Creative Writing stream: Sunday 3.15PM – How important is science in science fiction? Does it matter if you get it right? And if you don’t have a PhD in some obscure branch of quantum cryptography or reproductive biology, how can […]

I thought I’d share my schedule for Nine Worlds Geekfest, which is only two weeks away now: Saturday 13:45 to 14:45 – Is our Future Utopian or Dystopian? Science fiction writers present the evidence and debate our future – where are we heading, utopia or dystopia? Galaxy spanning empire or barren wasteland? Where are the […]

I’m heading into new and possibly dangerous territory here. I’m going to venture out of my SFF ghetto and talk about Literature, specifically (what is generally felt to be) one of the most important plays of the twentieth century. I studied Waiting for Godot at college. At the time I remember thinking it was tedious […]

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve got a story in The Alchemy Book of Urban Mythic, the follow-up to The Alchemy Book of Ancient Wonders, due to be launched at the World Fantasy Con in Brighton this year.  I’m sharing the bill with an impressive range of writers. Here’s the full table of contents: James […]

In just under two weeks, on Tuesday July 16th, I’ll be a guest of the Storyslingers writers’ group in Shaftesbury, Dorset. I’ll be appearing with Urban Fantasy author Suzanne McLeod at the Shaftesbury Arts Centre at 6.30pm. We’re planning on doing short readings then a fairly informal Q & A. We’ll do our best to […]