Blasts from the past

The very first story I had published appeared in the magazine Auguries edited by Nik Morton back in the mid ‘80s. That first submission was returned, covered with corrections, and it was a while before I realised that he was telling me that he would accept the story if I made the recommended changes. Every alteration he suggested improved the story and was a lesson learned. He has my undying gratitude for setting me on the path of learning my craft.


Some months ago I chanced upon Nik through the wonders of the internet and discovered that he is now writing westerns for Robert Hale under the name of Ross Morton. We've exchanged a few emails and I was delighted that not only did he remember me but was aware of some of the stuff I have worked on.

This week brought contact from another editor who took stories from me in the dim and distant past. Graeme Hurry, one time editor of the magazine Kimota has been a less frequent presence at the British Fantasy Society’s annual convention Fantasyon that he used to be, but it’s always good to hear from him. Graeme is putting together an anthology of the best of Kimota for digital publication at some time in the future and wants to include my story The Fires of Summer.

On collaboration

Today I'm guesting on Willie Meikle's blog talking about something I'd like to think I know a little about.

Where are they now?

Today I'm guest blogger at Bob Lock's blog, taking a look at some of the authors who were starting out when Paul Lewis and I edited the first Cold Cuts anthologies back in the early '90s. It just goes to show that there's a thriving network of writers and editors plying their trade in South Wales

The book I wish I'd written

As revealed yesterday, I'm guesting on Cavan Scott's blog today, so if you're interested in which book I wish I'd written, follow the link

And so it begins

I've been threatening to do this for a while but decided that this year is going to be different. This year I'm going to find out if people have any interest in what I have to say whether it's through my fiction or my ramblings.

There's a lot happening this month. The new Sally Reardon mystery, Missing is about to be published electronically. The story is a sequel to Of Time And Dust, and while Steve Savile and I would love you to buy both titles, the stories are standalone and we really hope that people will enjoy the series. The third story, which has the working title Deadlines, is already well underway and should be out next month.

Also in the pipeline is the first in a new vampire series, again being written with Steve Savile, but more of that when it's ready. I'm also close to completing the first draft of a new Sherlock Holmes story with pulp master Willie Meikle.

To launch this new blog, I'm guesting on a number of blogs through February and will post the links here. Tomorrow I'm putting in appearance on author and editor Cavan Scott's blog talking about the book I wish I'd written.