“Rusalka” – Free Short Story

Rusalka is a reimagining of the traditional Russian myth of the water nymph, or mermaid, of the same name. Depending which version of the legend you consult, Rusalka herself is variously an undead spirit, a lost soul, or a seductress bent on revenge. When you've read this short story, you'll know which aspect of her character appealed to me most. If … Continue reading “Rusalka” – Free Short Story

“Ear Wax Picker”

The earliest models of humanoid robot were so desperately primitive that they were unable to pick out their own ear wax. Hence this retrofitted device, which did the job for them. When I started drawing this latest piece of Birotech, I imagined it was some kind of futuristic hyperdrive. Then, halfway through, I tweeted a questions asking people to … Continue reading “Ear Wax Picker”

Revisiting Cinefex (Almost) Illustrated

In their original form, my Revisiting Cinefex articles, reviewing the first 40 issues of the classic journal of cinematic illusions, were just plain text. They contined no images except for the cover of the issue under discussion. Once I'd concluded my retrospective odyssey, I broke the articles into headed sections (one for each movie) and set myself the task of … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (Almost) Illustrated

“Talus and the Frozen King” – First Draft VS Final

At what point does homage become pastiche? That's the question I came up against when I wrote my Neolithic murder mystery Talus and the Frozen King. While the novel is unashamedly inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories about Victorian detective Sherlock Holmes, I was determined that my tale of ancient crime and punishment … Continue reading “Talus and the Frozen King” – First Draft VS Final

“Limb”

Here's another doodle in what I like to think of as my "Birotech" series. Why the funky name? Because I draw them with a Bic biro. It's called "Limb" for no other reason than that it looks to me like some kind of robot arm. Maybe. The truth is, I've no idea what it is, … Continue reading “Limb”

Construction Kit Junkie

When I was eight years old, I became a shipbuilder. The ship I built was the RMS Mauretania. It wasn't the actual ocean liner, you understand, but a 1:600 scale plastic kit made by UK model manufacturer Airfix. The kit had been a gift from a kindly relative and, despite having no particular interest in … Continue reading Construction Kit Junkie

The Many Lives of a Writer – 6

Most people are like cats – they live not just one life, but many. Writers are no exception. Here's the skinny on my sixth writing life. Collaboration I'm not exactly sure when I slipped into my sixth writing life. That's the thing with time. We like to imagine it frozen into neat little chunks, like ice cubes in … Continue reading The Many Lives of a Writer – 6

The Picture

The Picture has been hanging on my wall for many years. I drew it when I was seventeen, egged on by my good friend, Andy Wicks. One of these days, I'll prise it out of its frame, slap it on a big flatbed scanner and make myself a decent digital copy. Until then, you'll have to make … Continue reading The Picture

Ghostwriter Diaries – On Pseudonyms

The novel I ghostwrote earlier this year will be published soon, under pseudonym. Today, I learned what that pseudonym is to be. It's a strange feeling, acquainting yourself with someone who doesn't exist … yet who is in many respects your own self. Like looking into a mirror and seeing a stranger staring back. The … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries – On Pseudonyms

“Talus and the Frozen King” Review Roundup – 8

Three new reviews for Talus and the Frozen King hit the airwaves this week: Fantasy Literature Talus, with his Holmes-like attributes, is a familiar character: preternaturally observant, highly rational, super deductive, a lover of puzzles, often condescending (though not, it seems, purposely or cruelly so), a sharp taskmaster and teacher, and quite at sea when it comes … Continue reading “Talus and the Frozen King” Review Roundup – 8