Tag: author’s life

Happy New Year 2026!

As 2025 draws to a close, cold winter months provide the perfect setting for those moments of reflection. It’s crisp and cold out there, but look closer and you will find nature’s treasures, offering a sturdy base for sure footing.

And so I’m listening to the Japanese paper bush with its bare branches and snow white winter blooms; and the climbing jasmine, flowering its yellow stars; to the growing hebes, sporting purples and silvers all year round; and the star magnolia tipped with soft furry buds; to the sleeping hydrangeas and cherry blossom, restful and brown; and the honeysuckle giant, splaying and pluming with bulging red berries, welcoming birds far and wide; to the hellebores, tipped with white bells that might just faintly chime; and the visiting birds, filling their bellies and gathering for nests; while the hedgehog sleeps sound.

And by the water, time to reflect, at riversides and seasides where flocking geese arrive for warmer climes.

As a writer, I journey alongside a number of creative pathways, including the unfolding world of Blood Gift Chronicles. It has been a year of creative output, of journeying, of sharing, and there are some wonderful highlights. I’m hugely grateful for all those I’ve met along the way; fellow writers, readers, and those who create space and platforms to share and be inspired.

From Belfast to Brighton, conventions continue to be busy, bustling, happily tiring, inspiring places to network, discuss, meet and share. Every time someone new is inspired to pick up my books is a gift, and in the pages I hope they discover the gift there for the taking. We write to reflect, to find words for the pathways, to shine a light on the injustices, to problem solve the solutions, to have fun, to create worlds, to entertain, to inspire, to support, to empower, to bring colour, so much colour.

And as writers, in turn we are inspired by the stories of others. Visiting Belfast and the wider surrounds of Northern Ireland is storybook country in itself, with Game of Thrones now embedded into the fabric, a hugely inspiring ground from which to navigate the SFF worlds on offer at this year’s convention. Not forgetting the real life history of a complex place, as well as the story of the Titanic, a bold statement on Belfast’s waterfront.

Brighton too was a special trip, not least for the storms battering the sea front, which added atmosphere to a swelling community of SFF lovers, including wise words from Joanne Harris: ‘Fantasy is the secret language of the sub-conscious.’

Locally, South Hams Lit Festival was wonderful to be a part of, as well as Return of the Mantra featured on Plymouth’s Ferndale Radio show as book club read of the month. Huge thanks to Mimi, the radio host, for welcoming me into the studio to discuss the breadth of inspiration behind the novel, and for sharing readers’ reviews as well as her own thoughts. Of course I have what inspired the writing, the places, the worlds, the characters, but it’s always fascinating to hear what the stories mean to readers, what visions it conjures up in their minds. For Mimi the visions were reminiscent of places she has known from her mixed cultural heritage, which she shared in generous depth. I aim to be a visual writer, and hearing her enthusiasm for all the story had conjured for her, felt to be an honour and a privilege. Now I’m looking forward to returning to the studio in the New Year, when The Warder will feature as book club of the month.

Throughout the year I have shared many titles I have enjoyed reading. Meanwhile my to-read pile grows. Here are just a few titles waiting patiently on the shelf.

And Book 3 of Blood Gift Chronicles draws near, with an extra special surprise in store too, so stay tuned.

This is my journey as one year closes and another year opens, and I’m filled with gentle optimism, inspiration, and colour.

Wishing you a gift-filled, peaceful and joyous New Year.

Happy New Year 2026!

For the Love of Books #35

It’s been a bookish kind of day in more ways than one, with a trip to Plymouth and Ferndale radio for a show celebrating books, books, and more books. Alongside two other authors, conversation illumed and inspired, and for my part, it was wonderful to bring a slice of fantasy, talking Blood Gift Chronicles, inspiration, and the craft of writing, as well as much-loved reads that inspire.

And on the theme of fantasy, and in particular the creatures that inhabit our fantasy worlds, I bring reviews of two wonderfully colourful reads.

In the Vanishers’ Palace

By Aliette de Bodard

‘In the Vanishers’ Palace’ is a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is set in a post-colonial dystopia where brutal rulers, the vanishers, wrought ruin and devastation on the land. The earth is poisoned with roaming nightmares and a deadly virus.

The story follows Yen, a woman betrayed and sold into the vanisher’s palace to pay her village’s debts, a spirited, magical and carvernous place where every door can lead to death. She is in servitude to the shape-shifting water dragon, Vu Con, a creature among the last of her kind. Vu Con is mystical, aloof and cold, but not what Yen imagined. Instead of torture and death at the hands of a dragon, Yen is expected to teach Vu Con’s two unruly children, Thong and Lien.

The story is beautifully written, with description of magic and place told with tantalising effect that draws you into what feels like a labyrinth world. Vu Con’s character is layered, unique and interesting, with an intriguing and magical appearance that left a vivid imprint in my mind. Her presence immediately challenges gender expectation. Femininity is described in both dragon and human form. As human she appears as a woman small in stature, but holding herself decisively, displaying authoritative power that is magical and dangerous. Her sexuality is explored in a merging of human and dragon form, in beautiful scenes of sapphic romance between Vu Con and Yen, exploring tenderness and the excitement of love. But again expectation is challenged, as Vu Con feels cheated that it was Yenn who came to the palace, good only for keeping Vu Con’s bed warm. Vu Con’s request had been for Yen’s mother, a wise older woman. These kind of contrasts keep the narrative sharp and the reader guessing in what is ultimately a dangerous attraction, with more twists and turns yet to come.

Binaries are challenged in a variety of ways. Motivations, intentions and actions that blend what might be deemed good and bad, are layered into complex and intriguing characters. There is diversity among the cast beyond the gender binary, with non-binary characters using they/them pronouns. And ultimately this is sapphic love between a dragon and a woman, impactful in its creation, beautiful in its descriptions that explore the intimate scenes. The author appears to deal effortlessly with what might seem impossible, shifting into dragon perspective with ease, bringing the landscape of the dragon’s mind into full view, in an entirely believable way.

An enjoyable, edgy, and beautiful tale very well told.

Fatholmfolk

By Eliza Chan

In the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, fatholmfolk and humans live side by side. The city is revered as a perfect place, providing safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest, but beneath the veneer, revolution is brewing.

This is an ambitious and inventive story, told through characters who embody a number of fantastical creatures, including kelpies and selkies, water dragons and kappas. Narrative explores the experiences of a multi-cultural diaspora community, considering xenophobia and the way in which immigrants are defined by othering, exposing hard truths and layered complexities of individual experiences. Together with the fact that humans have polluted the oceans, forcing fatholmfolk to flee to the cities above water, a refugee crisis looms, and tension between species becomes increasingly strained.

The story is told from the perspective of main characters attempting to navigate a world that is set up against them. Mira is half-siren, the first fatholmfolk to reach the military, appointed captain of the border guard. Her partner, Kai, is a sea dragon. Cordelia is a half-octopus/half-human sea witch, who Mira has an account with. Mira has a personal interest in the welfare of fatholmfolk refugees, wanting to keep them safe in Tiankaiwan waters. Cordelia can arrange this, in return for Mira’s help with making logistical paperwork disappear, to help Cordelia’s small business to thrive. And Nami is Mira’s daughter, with a latent sea dragon side. The story begins with Nami heading out to retrieve an unhatched dragon egg that has been claimed by humans. She is an interesting character, revealing shades of grey and complexity, turning political activist, willing to cross lines in the law, while learning to own her prejudices and mistakes. Courageous to some, reckless to others, still her actions reveal startling truths about history, and the lies that followed to maintain the status quo, one that would treat fatholmfolk as livestock, while serving human kind.

I enjoyed the vibrancy and colour in this story. Worldbuilding felt to have been lovingly crafted with intriguing and insightful attention to detail, perhaps meandering between real-life reflections and the fantastical, with sea grass meadows and red pillar corals, algae-covered tables adorned with wild rice and sea grapes, vinegared fish, lotus root, cuttle fish stew, candied seaweed, taro crisps and fried water spinach. It felt like a cultural exchange, a transportive experience where I can hear the clatter of tea rooms, and the chatter of vendors in narrow canoes. For me the layered and textured tapestry of vibrancy and colour in the story was a real highlight, offering an immersive experience among an inventive cast, charged with some of the biggest social issues of our times. A highly enjoyable read.

What are you reading?

News, Updates, and Eastercon 2025, Belfast Style

Summer is on its way and I can barely believe it’s the end of May, and so for an overdue catch up on a wonderful trip to Northern Ireland, where Eastercon 76 was being held, Belfast style.

 

It was a privilege to take part in a fantastic programme of panels, workshops and readings. The stars aligned to theme me on the dark side this year, those big emotions that can drive our characters, as well as create opportunity for reflecting in a different way, one that might just interrupt the fear and lend itself to peace. Determined rage can be a powerful motivator, especially when fuelled by a sense of injustice. And perhaps hope as determined rage in a state of resilience and unwavering belief, a deep persistent hope, can be as powerful and forceful in driving action and change. My characters are no stranger to the dark side. They’re also no stranger to fighting back, working together, supporting a world to move towards greater environmental and social justice, and so there are messages of hope and empowerment. And we need those, right?

I look forward to sharing more thoughts of these intriguing topics, but for now simple gratitude to all the inspiring and inventive writers out there, and readers who share a love of the genres.

Belfast ICC was an impressive host, and further afield beneath big skies it was great to explore memorials and street art and an impressive city hall. Not to mention the Titanic museum, and a t-shirt that read: ‘It was fine when it left Belfast, so it was.’

Nearby Game of Thrones studios was a real highlight, a feast of visuals, sets and insights bringing this epic saga to life.

And it was great to see more sights of this country, with beautiful coastline and stunning interior carpeted with yellow gorse, and meeting locals who were extraordinarily gracious, welcoming and friendly.

Giants Causeway was magic, a place of myth and legend.

Carrick a Rede rope bridge was appropriately scary, hanging 60ft over choppy seas, though tame in comparison to fishermen’s tales of traversing a single rope carrying their catch of the day!

And more exploring Game of Thrones territory with Dunlace Castle (in exceptional wind and rain!!), not to mention, Ballintoy Harbour.

Dark Hedges was truly evocative.

And Cushendun Caves, nestled on the wild tip of the quaint village of Cushendun, was closed for the season, or perhaps because the red woman was cooking up magic.

Finally home and a chance to rest and restore before change. Because change comes whether we want it or not.

And now for some truly sad news. I have had to say goodbye to my beloved Mia, cat companion and writing buddy for all her fifteen years. She has had her bed on my desk ever since she was a kitten, and been with me through the ups and days of writing, editing, rejection and publishing. Until illness came and transformed lovely Mia into magic, leaving my desk all too bare.

Though she was also a wonderful gardener, and outside the colours bloom.

If you ever wondered where inspiration for the mountain lions of Shendi came from in Return of the Mantra, look no further than this gorgeous girl, who used to sport a mane in her younger days.

Rest easy sweet girl…

And after she had slipped away, a flower sprung where she had a lain, forget-me-not, the petals say, in Mia’s grounds, the perfect place.

💙

 

 

 

Elemental Spring

Early spring passed mostly in a flurry of wind and rain, and plenty of time to stay indoors with Blood Gift Chronicles and the magical twists and turns and soaring heights of Book 3’s WIP. But every now and then the weather holds long enough for a trip outdoors to see a refreshing sight.

From the stately home of Knighthayes, watched over by Devon’s rolling hills, and marking a grand presence over sprawling gardens of giant trees and early blooming rhododendrons…

To the watery expanse of Fernworthy reservoir, where moss-covered woodland is a step in time with magical realms…

For work, a visit to the local radio station was a highlight, in recognition of International Women’s Day. No photos this year but a reminder of last year’s late show with the phenomenal Mama Tokus, and our wonderful host, Kerrie Seymour.

It was great to be able to return this year, contributing to the ambitious 24 hour radio take-over by Dreadnought South West, sharing poetry themed on IWD, and chatting about writing, books and all I have coming up this year, including WorldCon and an epic trip to Glasgow in the summer. I’m super excited for a jam-packed, SFF weekend, and a chance to meet up with my lovely publishers, Stairwell Books.

Closer to home and we’ve just emerged from a weekend book festival on the Hartland Coast.

It was blustery there too, but a great chance to visit the dragon rocks of Hartland (or at least that’s how I see them), in the lovely company of my wife. I wrote The Warder before ever visiting this place, and yet I spy familiar sights with dramatic rock faces, circling birds of prey, rugged paths, multi-toned wild gorse, and a distant island view – Lundy Island in real life. With a writing week ahead, I’m inspired.

And while the blustery wind and rain has returned today, so too has spring made an appearance.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead…

Shades of Inspiration

It’s been a busy start to the year. Approaching the end of January and I wonder where the month has gone. Manuscript edits are under way, and I’m enjoying time spent with my characters in a world that grows more colourful, and more daring with each scene. And my collection of shorts and poetry is also growing; it’s wonderful to get out and about sharing words.

As always, January is the time for making plans, signing up, and getting dates in the diary. The excitement of the year is WorldCon coming to the UK. Plans are underway for the trip to Glasgow, with the added bonus of the guest of honour who just happens to be one of my favourite authors… guess who…

‘People get inspired to write, paint, draw, sing, sculpt, dance in many different ways. And there are many types of art. But the one thing that they all have in common is that they are all a sort of magic. Sometimes the magic flows from one’s fingers, other times it is transferred to the person who experiences the result. Magic has always worked in mysterious ways.’ – Nnedi Okorafor.

And a recent book-haul is just waiting to be devoured.

Inspiration comes in many forms, and I’m lucky to have so much around to inspire. A recent trip to the Pulp Exhibit in Bovey Tracey was a glorious injection of colour on a cold afternoon, and an interesting look at the interface between art, the environment and how we question the world. The sculptures are made from recycled cardboard and it’s the second time for me viewing this artist’s work. James Lake, it won’t be the last.

My own art project is underway, inspired by local Devon and Cornwall surrounds – more at a later date. And I continue to venture out and about, soaking up scenery that one way or another finds its way into writing.

From big skies over the Teign valley, watched over by Castle Drogo…

To waterwheels, ancient bridges, giant oaks and winter snowdrops, lining the River Bovey.

Close encounters with the outdoors, spying the layers of nature and colour making up the scenic tapestry, is the best inspiration for building worlds. And that’s where I’ll leave you for today, while I travel through the pages of my latest instalment of Blood Gift Chronicles. There may not be snowdrops, but there is yellow gorse and purple heather, and natural extracts to ward off the curse of the evil eye…

Have a great week!

Happy New Year 2024!

As New Year’s Eve turns dark outside, the storm is raging. Batten down the hatches, grateful for a moment of peace to reflect on the year gone by. 2023 has been a busy year for writing, starting with a chance to guest blog with the esteemed fantasy author, Sarah Ash. It’s the second time I’ve been lucky enough to be invited, and for anyone who has yet to read from this author, I can highly recommend visiting her many titles. Songspinners, has been one of my favourite reads of the year: the intriguing tale of Orial, a girl navigating the labyrinth of the Undercity to practice the art she has taught herself, the art of music that is her magic; in a world that is dark, evocative and beautifully drawn, a place of musical telepathy, faeries, dragonflies, and mystical reservoirs await…

Book conventions and festivals from Birmingham to the New Forest, to the Hartland Peninsula of Devon, to the city of Kansas, USA via the wonders of zoom from my writing room were all highlights. With readings and panels, it is wonderful to share, to discuss, to learn, to inspire, and be inspired. And there are lots more creative ventures to look forward to in 2024. I look forward to sharing more as news unfolds.

For now, in the lull between Xmas and New Year, in between blustering gales and rain, it was lovely to catch a few snatches of dry clear skies to enjoy a moment of the outdoors around home, and nature, for a breath of fresh air before it’s back to work. Between the lakes of Stover, with afternoon sun, fluffy clouds, scenic forest, gorgeous lakes, poetry, wood carvings, curious squirrels, hungry ducks, and a woodpecker…

 

To the fresh sea air of South Devon, and Teignmouth’s old port, and beaches crammed with colourful boats with stories to tell…

To the bright lights of Torquay to feast on this year’s bay of lights, where more wild seas await, crashing to and fro towards Xmas trees and festive Torbay palms looking especially jazzy.

And back home, where a sleepy cat awaits, and another good read beckons.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year, 2024!

 

Changing Seasons

In the UK, it’s the time of year for big skies and changing colours, from autumn fall when the most ordinary routes transform into otherworldly, and pumpkins litter the ground of muddy fields alongside newly sprouting brussel sprouts. These are the picture postcard fields of nearby Darts Farm, with views all the way to the sea.

Onto Plymouth, where shorter days change the light in just a few hours, transforming the harbour’s morning dusk, to cool light. Disappearing into Plymouth aquarium for a while, which boasts the biggest aquarium in the UK, was a treat. Home to smiling stingrays, gliding sharks, and a special turtle named Friday who is a delight. All of this and so much more, including fascinating insights into mermaid purses.

The sun is still shining, for a while at least, with streaking skies topping the lighthouse of Smeaton’s tower, before dusk quickly falls again, and you soak the atmosphere of sleeping boats.

Colder still, and back home the river Exe turns clear like glass, topped by breath-taking skies that alter the light minute by minute depending on the angle of the view. As perfect reflections look back from water’s deep, topped by swans, ducks and geese unfazed by the cold, it brings the perfect sense of calm.

Onto an afternoon in Totnes, and lights of a different kind, from views over the River Dart where daylight depends which side of the bridge you’re looking out from, to golden lights that light the night. All for a visit to the wonderful Castle Books for magical poetry sharing.

Before home, and work, for some at least.

Have a great week, everyone… xx

Stories, Writing and Comic Fun

A busy weekend gone by at Comic Con, surrounded by stories old and new that have inspired through the ages, demonstrated by those who fully embrace the characters they love, with impressive cosplay and fun encounters. The craftmanship and animatronics is always awe inspiring, from clockwork owls, giant centaurs, a transformer or two, many more, and of course, Darth Vadar and his army of storm troopers. The Star Wars franchise is always a favourite of mine, not least because the time span of the series demonstrates the progress made for equality. The evolution of female characters is a subject in its own right, but oh, I do love Rey – maybe one day I will see her make an appearance there… In the meantime…

It was of course also great to discover new readers, and to chat with those who have read or are reading my own Blood Gift Chronicles. Accompanied by my artwork, and self-made props, it was great to be able to offer more immersion into my world, from the crystal mines of Shendi and the lost mountain lions, through the changing landscapes and the faces of those who carry us through, to tales of dragons, and real-life colonies of flying lizards. The geography and wildlife that inhabits the various land and waterscapes is as real in my mind’s eye as a blackbird’s song, and it’s lovely to share that vision with others. This is what stories are made of.

And of course some readers are writers, and with a fair few years under my belt, with various ups and downs along the way, I’m always happy share, to inspire, and of course in turn be inspired. And so for any budding writers out there, a few points that came up in conversation amid comic fun:

Find your routine, your groove, your working motivators whether that’s allocated time or word counts, and Just Write. Procrastination is the enemy. Talking about writing is not writing. Wanting to be a writer is not writing. Just write. Don’t get caught in edits, just get the story down. Beware of rabbit holes, maintain perspective, you’re the writer not a player, so Just Write. Writing is rewriting is rewriting… that’s how you build, that’s how you discover, that’s how you finish… And then you start all over again. Just Write. If you’re looking for an easy way through, you’ll be disappointed: there is no easy way, there’s just you. Are you a writer? Then Just Write.

Have a wonderful week…

R&R

Heading into the weekend and it’s a day for organising, before Monday comes and it’s back to the novel. I’m looking forward to returning to my characters and the colours of their world, after a break and a trip away to lovely Cornwall. Outside, it’s a drizzly grey day, windy and cool, and perfect for looking back on those sandy beaches, blooming gardens, colour, stories, and art – the perfect recipe for R&R and a big dose of inspiration.

Ah, Cornwall, and heady sea air is the best place for a gulp of fresh air, among the chatter of gulls, sprawling sands, and dreamy boats. And what better way to see the coastline than out at sea. I love St Ives for many reasons, and it was lovely to discover more, with a boat ride out to Godrevy Island to see the latest colony of seals. Not so much tranquil waters, more like the ups and downs of 2 metre waves felt with startling impact from the back of the boat!

The well-informed crew shared amazing facts about these wonderful and enormous creatures, like the fact they have polar bear-sized claws, and can weigh as much as 70 stones!! The crew were also wildlife rescuers and only the night before had untangled a frisbee from around the neck of a seal. No mean feat considering seals are apparently more challenging to handle than great white sharks!

And no trip to St Ives would be complete without a visit to the Barbara Hepworth Museum.

Sigh – as I remember the peace and tranquilite of those gorgeous gardens.

Onto the Eden Project: an unsurprisingly blooming extravaganza, and a wonderful example of creative initiative, inspirational in leading the way transforming a once sterile clay pit into a natural haven. Stories are everywhere, and I’ve only recently discovered the fun fact that the original clay pit was used as the planet surface in the series, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – unrecognisable now as a garden paradise with impressive biomes. And the initiative is expanding, with plans for projects from Dundee to Qingdao, China, I believe. Nature finds a way.

The biomes are a sight to see, with dizzy heights inside…

And gorgeous art, colour, and vibrancy… Like I said, inspiring.

Then back to the coast to the bustling maritime port of Falmouth, taking the ferry on a magical route to the old fishing harbour of St Mawes, where an ancient castle awaits…

Talking of magic, ah for the sights of St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island in Mount’s Bay, with an ancient castle still inhabited, impressive gardens carved into the cliff, and the iconic granite causeway. The tide rules, and it was a boat there, and a walk back, with a dreamy day in-between, soaking up the sights of a place used in the location of the House of Dragons in Game of Thrones – an interesting connection, not that it was needed for such a unique and fascinating place.

And last but by no means least, to the ancient woodlands of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, where stories merge. It was wonderful to finally meet The Mud Maid… and the giant, and the grey lady, and all the other stories just waiting to be told, in a place of magic…

Now I look forward to returning to the magic of Blood Gift Chronicles.

Have a great weekend!

Eastercon 2023

Reflections of a busy weekend in Birmingham for this year’s Eastercon, an annual convention of all things sci-fi, fantasy and horror. It was great to be there in person, representing Blood Gift Chronicles with readings from The Warder.

And it was a great chance to catch up with my publishers, Stairwell Books, at home with a fabulous book table in the dealer’s room.

As a writer/reader/watcher of these genres, the fact that I love them goes without saying. But it’s conventions like these that give you the deep dive into a world that knows no bounds, and demands that you look harder, root further, for all we bring as writers, and for all we celebrate as readers. I took part in many great panels, which in themselves is revealing, including topics around feminism, LGBTQ+, young adult, older protagonists, and cats – which proved popular for a nation of cat lovers!!! Plus it was great to meet new people, talk with readers, share ideas, support and encouragement, and be inspired by possibility.

It is always interesting to reflect on the power of representation and its role in fuelling liberation, on a personal level with the potential to translating into wider society. Empowered people seek liberation. And then, while standing on the shoulders of giants, (thank you Ursula Le Guin and Octavia Butler, among others) we imagine anew and expand on ideas of possibility. As far as the environment goes, it has never been more urgently needed. Whilst I may expand on some ideas in future blogs, for now, a special mention to the ever-growing young adult market, a genre for all ages, with enormous range, scope and potential. Personally, as far as politics goes, the future depends on young people, as well as an open line of communication across generations. And what better way to share than through stories.

“We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begins in art, and very often in our art, the art of words.” Ursula K. LeGuin

Speaking of the environment, it was a breath of fresh air to appreciate a big pocket of wilding among the urban, from Canada geese at the NEC, to promising bat boxes. And a special injection of art, with lilies on the water, and a sculpture entitled ‘Beyond All Limits’ by Luke Burton, specially commissioned to commemorate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, and dedicated to Help for Heroes.

 

 On a different note, it was a special someone’s birthday on Monday, and since we were in Birmingham, what better way to celebrate than a visit to Cadbury’s World, followed by dinner at TJI Fridays…

Goodnight Birmingham…xxx