Solaris Books to Publish “Talus and the Frozen King”

I'm thrilled to announce I've just signed up with Solaris Books, leading UK publisher of science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction, to publish my new novel Talus and the Frozen King. The deal was agented by Dot Lumley of the Dorian Literary Agency. What's that? You want to know what the novel's about? Oh, if … Continue reading Solaris Books to Publish “Talus and the Frozen King”

“HENRi”

Right from the opening voiceover I could tell that Eli Sasich, writer/director of the 20-minute indie science fiction film HENRi, grew up reading the same books as me. Anyone who talks confidentally about positronics and names his female lead Dr Calvin clearly knows his Asimov, and who else but a devotee of Philip K Dick … Continue reading “HENRi”

Revisiting Cinefex (35): Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Willow

Cinefex #35 contains behind-the-scenes stories on two big films of the late 80s, although both front and back covers feature just one: Robert Zemeckis's milestone marriage of live-action and animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? While the front is dominated by Roger himself - looking as manic as ever - the back is reserved for his … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (35): Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Willow

Your Free Writer’s Monologue

Suffering from writer's block? Fed up with that nagging internal monologue that distracts you from the process of writing? Fear not! I've created the Writer's Monologue®, a patent-pending system guaranteed to keep your fingers on the keyboard and your mind on the job. To use the Writer's Monologue®, simply record yourself speaking aloud the script shown … Continue reading Your Free Writer’s Monologue

“Oblivion”

It's refreshing to see a science fiction film that's not a sequel, reboot or mindless action flick. Oblivion may be partially constructed from bits of other movies - not least Moon and Independence Day - but ultimately it rises the source inspiration and becomes its own beast. For every few twists I managed to second-guess, … Continue reading “Oblivion”

The Writing Radio

When you write stories, the ideas don't come from you; they come from the ether. You're not a writer; you're a radio. You might think you're making things up but you're not. You're listening to them as they come in over the airwaves. You're making sense of the signal and recording what you hear. You … Continue reading The Writing Radio

Revisiting Cinefex (34): Beetlejuice, Batteries Not Included

The cover of Cinefex #34 presents me with a problem. How do I describe the front cover without saying the name of the character out loud? What's that? It doesn't count if I write it down? Well, sorry, I just can't take that chance. Let's just say the scary animated snake-man comes from one of … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (34): Beetlejuice, Batteries Not Included

Are Special Effects Still Special?

Dennis Muren, a living legend in the highly specialised field of visual effects, was recently quoted by movies.com as saying this: "In some ways, I think special effects aren't special any more ... If you're going to make a motion picture, don't just throw computer graphics in to make everything bigger." Muren's a smart cookie. … Continue reading Are Special Effects Still Special?

“Hugo” – with Eddie and Gus

EDDIE: Seen Hugo? GUS: Yes. I watched that particular film quite recently. EDDIE: Whaddaya think? Use simple words, buddy, not the posh ones. GUS: Well, I think that Hugo is an inspired, and inspiring, love letter to cinema past and present. The warmth of its characters and narrative are matched only by the dazzling complexity of … Continue reading “Hugo” – with Eddie and Gus

The “Dragoncharm” Travel Guide – Malham Cove

My novels might be fantasy, but many of the locations in them are real. Welcome to part 6 of this handy travel guide to a mythical world that bears an uncanny resemblance to our own. There are lots of cliffs in Dragoncharm. Some are sea cliffs, while others are parts of gorges or mountainsides. I make … Continue reading The “Dragoncharm” Travel Guide – Malham Cove