Scrimshaw Bridge — A “String City” Snapshot

The Scrimshaw Bridge spans two rivers: the Lethe and the Styx. It was carved using ivory mined from Big Tusk Mountain. Because ivory has the power to amplify bad dreams, traders have long used the bridge to import despair from the Unknown Worlds. The adjacent Long Horn Bridge, once the conduit for String City's supplies … Continue reading Scrimshaw Bridge — A “String City” Snapshot

Quetzal Imports – A “String City” Snapshot

String City once supported a thriving import-export industry. However, the recent economic collapse has brought desolation to the dockside businesses, with the exception of Quetzal Imports, which continues to operate out of a lone pyramid on the historic Lethe Wharf. Little is known of what goes on inside the pyramid. But the recent erection of … Continue reading Quetzal Imports – A “String City” Snapshot

Carr Industries – A “String City” Snapshot

On the east side of String City stands a line of power plants operated by Carr Industries. These provide the metropolis with much of its power, and pump enough pollution into the atmosphere to keep The Carr Air Cleansing Company not only in business, but turning a healthy profit. Nobody knows exactly what Theo Carr, … Continue reading Carr Industries – A “String City” Snapshot

Big Tusk Railhead – A “String City” Snapshot

Freight trains rarely run now in String City, due to the lack of goods moving to and from the docks. In many railyards, local artists have begun converting the abandoned tracks and rolling stock into works of art. Big Tusk Railhead is home to some of the biggest art installations, including a particularly dramatic piece … Continue reading Big Tusk Railhead – A “String City” Snapshot

Aeolus Corporation – A “String City” Snapshot

The Aeolus Corporation is responsible for weather control throughout String City. Managed by the wind god, Aeolus, this industrial complex of windwranglers, cloudbusters and stormsplicers delivers a climate that satisfies everyone who has a preference for heavy rain. Recent fluctuations in the weather have prompted the city authorities to investigate the efficiency of the weather … Continue reading Aeolus Corporation – A “String City” Snapshot

Acheron Lock – A “String City” Snapshot

Acheron Lock marks the junction of the River Lethe with the Acheron – also known as the River of Tears. Laced with anti-matter, the sentient lock gates ensure that the water keeps flowing smoothly at all times, in all dimensions, and frequently in defiance of gravity. Downstream, the Acheron is popular with anglers keen to … Continue reading Acheron Lock – A “String City” Snapshot

“Dragoncharm” – Special Edition Now Available

Twenty-one years after its first publication in 1995, my first novel, Dragoncharm, is now available as a brand new special edition. Hot damn! Why a special edition? Well, in preparing Dragoncharm for republication, I’ve taken the opportunity to revise the text. If you’re new to the story, you won’t care about that. You’ll just want … Continue reading “Dragoncharm” – Special Edition Now Available

There’s a Dragon at Coda Falconry

Every once in a while, a tweet comes along that restores my faith in the power of social media to connect you with people you wouldn't otherwise have encountered. Like this one, which appeared on my timeline today: https://twitter.com/CodaFalconry/status/651153537930407936 In case you're wondering, "Fortune" is the name of the dragon hero of my first novel, Dragoncharm. Deeply … Continue reading There’s a Dragon at Coda Falconry

“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

Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas?

Where do you get your ideas from? It's the cliché question every fiction writer gets asked. Over and over again. It bugs the hell out of some people, but I rather like trying to come up with answers, because the creative process fascinates me. I say "answers" in the plural, because I believe the muses … Continue reading Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas?