“Rain” – Freedom to Glide

Today is Armistice Day. It also marks the launch of "Rain", a new concept album by UK Midlands band Freedom to Glide. The album was inspired by first-hand accounts of soldiers who fought in the First World War, and in other conflicts throughout the twentieth century. With its atmospheric mix of prog rock, acoustic and … Continue reading “Rain” – Freedom to Glide

Ghostwriter Diaries 04

I'm done! My three-chapter sample for the fantasy novel is complete. I finished writing yesterday, edited the manuscript this morning, and I've just emailed the final draft to my client. All that remains is to sit back and perform the hardest task of all. It a challenge all writers face on a regular basis. Wait. … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 04

Ghostwriter Diaries 03

I'm two chapters in, with one more to go before I've finished this ghostwriting sample. After a false start yesterday, I've just blasted through a couple of thousand words in a morning. Are they the right words? It's hard to say until I read through them. But I'll hold off doing that until I've finished … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 03

Ghostwriter Diaries 02

I'm 2,000 words into my ghostwriting assignment, and just short of completing the first chapter. I'm overwriting, but that's standard operational procedure for a first draft. The hack and slash of editing will knock it into shape. My first session saw me trying too hard ... trying to impress, if truth be told. That's a … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 02

Ghostwriter Diaries 01

Listen up. I don't have much time. I've just been invited to pitch for a ghostwriting assignment and every second counts. So I'll keep this brief. The assignment I'm talking about is a trilogy of fantasy novels. My brief comprises an overview of the storyline, brief sketches of the main characters and a comprehensive outline … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 01

Urban Mythic Interview

Next month sees the publication of The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic, in which you'll find my short story A Night To Forget. During the run-up to the launch, Alchemy Press are posting on their blog a series of short interviews with the contributors. This week it's my turn - there's a link to … Continue reading Urban Mythic Interview

“Mythago Wood” by Robert Holdstock

The wildwood lies at the heart of English folklore. There's a good reason for that. Once upon a time, these isles were covered in forest practically from coast to coast. Tales of the Green Man, Jack-of-the-Green, Herne the Hunter and Robin Hood all sprang from that ancient wooded realm. Our oldest stories were first told … Continue reading “Mythago Wood” by Robert Holdstock

“Rush” – It’s a Wrap for Cinefex

If you've landed here hoping to learn something about the visual effects of Ron Howard's Formula 1 film Rush, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. Yes, I've finished my article on that very subject and yes, I've submitted it to the publishers. But you'll have to wait until it appears in the winter edition … Continue reading “Rush” – It’s a Wrap for Cinefex

Launching Today – The Cinefex Blog

Today sees the launch of the brand new Cinefex visual effects blog. The inaugural post is written by Cinefex publisher Don Shay, and it does a splendid job of setting out the new blog's agenda. While the parent magazine's mission remains unchanged - "to report rather than editorialize, to remain diligently objective, rather than subjective" … Continue reading Launching Today – The Cinefex Blog

“After Liff” by John Lloyd and Jon Canter

It's always a thrill to get something published. My latest appearance in print is especially important to me, despite the fact it comprises just eleven words. It's my humble contribution to After Liff, a book written by John Lloyd and Jon Canter and just published by Faber and Faber. Why do these eleven words mean … Continue reading “After Liff” by John Lloyd and Jon Canter