Fantasy Author, Science Fictioneer, Writer of Worlds
Long-time followers will know I’ve wanted to do an MA in creative writing for some time. I already did a BA in English Literature, and loved it, but an MA would be even more lovely.
The good news is, I just signed up! I’ll be starting the Open University’s MA in creative writing in October. It’ll take me two years, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
Wish me luck!
A Fantasy Convention For Staying The F*@$ Home
Quarancon 2020 is on this weekend – my first virtual conference. I’m on a panel tonight at 11PM UK time – tune in via YouTube if you’re interested in knowing about novel plotting…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZZ9V5e_nzg&feature=youtu.be
Dead Star, Volume 1 in the Triple Stars Trilogy, is released today.
The galaxy is in flames under the harsh theocratic rule of Concordance, the culture that once thrived among the stars reduced to scattered fragments. Selene Ada, last survivor of an obliterated planet, joins forces with the mysterious renegade, Ondo Lagan.
Together they attempt to unravel the mystery of Concordance’s rapid rise to galactic domination. They follow a trail of shattered starship hulks and ancient alien ruins, with the ships of the enemy always one step behind.
But it’s only when they find the mythical planet of Coronade that they uncover the true scale of the destruction Concordance is capable of unleashing…
“excellent … the author did a really fantastic job of creating compelling characters, an intriguing world, and I’m looking forward to the next novel in the series”
Exciting news – I’ve just signed a deal with Elsewhen Press to publish another novel of mine: an urban fantasy, thrillery detective book called The Eye Collectors. Elsewhen described it as “Dirk Gently meets Good Omens”, which is about right (and very cool).
Hopefully the book will be the start of a series – once Triple Stars is done, that’s what I’ll be up to next.
More news as I have it. I’m thrilled to become part of the Elsewhen family…
Home World, the prequel novella in my Triple Stars trilogy, is released today!
Three warring worlds attempt to resolve their differences over a disputed planet, but the peace talks upon the central Nexus world of Coronade are thrown into chaos when one of the delegates is brutally murdered. Conciliator Magdi, an empath from Periarch, pursues the killer in a desperate attempt to keep the peace talks alive.
Meanwhile, confused rumours circulate about the discoveries made by the Magellanic Cloud, a ship thought lost in the galactic core. The whispers warn of a biological or technological discovery that threatens the very existence of interstellar civilisation.
Magdi sees an opportunity to use the rumours as a way to encourage the three worlds back to the table. But has she underestimated the risks she faces?
And has she made the mistake of not taking the troubling rumours seriously enough?
Full details of the book are here.
Advent Ghosts is an annual round of shared storytelling organized by Loren Eaton over at I Saw Lightning Fall. I’ve missed it the past couple of times, but it used to be a great Christmas custom, keeping alive the tradition established by Charles Dickens and M.R. James.
Time to dive back in. Here’s my 100-word advent ghost story for this year:
The odd thing was, no one else cut down their Christmas tree from that patch of woodland. The boughs grew tall there, well-nourished, but nobody in the sleepy village would touch them. Superstitious fools. They muttered about unhallowed ground, and buried bodies, and said nothing wholesome could ever grow there.
When the tree was set up in her room it looked glorious. It shimmered in the light, almost as if it were shaking.
That night, when the house was quiet, the first tendrils of mist began to drift from its branches, accompanied by the first moans of a hungry longing.
For more 100-word advent ghost stories, head on over to I saw Lightning Fall.
Happy holidays, all!
