'Wanderlust' is such a well-recognised word that it might as well have been adopted as a piece of honorary English vocabulary - it's one of those delightful German words that means exactly what it sounds like. Recently, I've been introduced to a new word - also German, that most efficient of languages - that perhaps… Continue reading Farsickness
A bit of good news
My short story 'The Grey Men' has been accepted by Black Static, and will be appearing in the March 2015 edition. A really exciting start to the new year!
Obligatory ‘Looking Back on 2014’ blog post
This has been a strange year. Amazing things have happened to me in 2014. 'When Charlie Sleeps' was reprinted in "Best British Horror 2014", an incredible honour and an achievement which saw me reading with three fine gentlemen - Stephen Volk, John Llewellyn Probert and Reggie Oliver at Waterstones in Covent Garden. Incredibly surreal and… Continue reading Obligatory ‘Looking Back on 2014’ blog post
conquering challenges
As a writer, you're constantly challenging yourself to try new things. New formats, new styles, new concepts. Pushing yourself out of the comfort zone you've built for yourself. It's how we grow as writers - the risks we take either improve us, or show us where our weaknesses lie (arguably, that's also a form of… Continue reading conquering challenges
Soundtrack To Writing
Some people write with music, some people need dead silence. I also know people who can work happily with the TV on. For me, some kind of sound is necessary - although if it's a playlist full of songs I know very well, I'll inevitably end up singing along. Whilst writing the novella, I've had… Continue reading Soundtrack To Writing
I do like to be beside the seaside
A bit of my heart belongs by the sea. I can't explain why this is. I was born and raised in Elephant and Castle, where the closest thing to the seaside experience is the nasal squawk of seagulls fighting over the remnants of a Perfect Fried Chicken box meal. Childhood trips to the seaside feature… Continue reading I do like to be beside the seaside
Book Review – Brown Bread, Boys: A Tragedy by Delilah Des Anges
(Please forgive the Amazon image, I couldn't find a better one on short notice.) Self published books have a terrible reputation. Sturgeon's Law claims that ninety percent of everything is crap, and this adage is never waved around more than in discussions about fanfiction and/or self published books. I'm not going to discuss my own… Continue reading Book Review – Brown Bread, Boys: A Tragedy by Delilah Des Anges
What I read in October
The Moon Will Look Strange by Lynda E. Rucker Short fiction collections can sometimes be hit and miss. You sometimes read collections in which only one or two stories stand out, and the rest are sort of literary white noise. This isn't one of those collections. The author has a clear, almost conversational style of… Continue reading What I read in October
“Horror Uncut” in Manchester, and MCM Comic Con in London
It's been a bit of a manic weekend, to say the least. After work on Thursday I took the train up to Manchester - not that I got much chance to see the city, as by the time I got there all I wanted to do was get to the Travelodge and sleep. It's not a… Continue reading “Horror Uncut” in Manchester, and MCM Comic Con in London
On Shadows and Tall Trees
I read the news about Shadows and Tall Trees going on indefinite hiatus with a heavy heart. It really is a huge loss for all readers and writers of horror and dark fiction. Shadow and Tall Trees was a beautifully presented publication, providing short fiction from writers as prolific and important to the genre as Gary McMahon,… Continue reading On Shadows and Tall Trees
Dispatches from the Sinister Room 