A single-celled organism called Larry

Larry, a crew of cosplayers, a stray dog called Max and a bunch of insomniacs all feature in my new novel, out now for Amazon Kindle.

If you’re interested in reviewing, or rating and reviewing on Amazon and/or Goodreads, add a reply here and I will drop you a free copy.

Fifty-something, struggling retro clothes shop owner Julie Bellwether has more than her fair share of problems. Not the least of them being insomnia. Still, she has the consolation of meeting kindred spirits in the Cafe Insomnia. Eccentrics, intellectuals, lovers, strangers, all converge here to find companionship, consolation or respite from their sleeplessness. But the Cafe proves to be a catalyst for a series of unstoppable events. Julie, a gamer geek, a homeless young woman, a judgemental best friend, a Rastafarian musical chef, and a unique stray dog called Max all collide in a serio-comic tale with shades of the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls, and perhaps even The Canterbury Tales. $3.10 / £1.99

Interview on Black Fox Literary Magazine

A while back, Black Fox Literary Magazine got in touch to invite me for an interview. I was, of course, delighted that they had sought me out and asked such interesting questions. I especially enjoyed the one about whether any monkeys were involved.

You will find the interview on the Black Fox. I hope you will consider giving feedback, asking questions and generally supporting this excellent publication.

Cover reveal

My latest novel, Cafe Insomnia, will soon be out on Amazon. I’ve started working on book two.

Under a Banner Rocks (or Folks)!

When I listened to Under a Banner’s free sampler, I felt I was hearing shades of The Smiths intermingled with Fairport Convention, The Saw Doctors and an indefinable other thing. In any case, I’m hooked by the music – which can be plangent or pumping, to suit different moods. I absolutely want to see them live.

The band, well known for their catchy and lyrical folkish rock anthems, have recently moved their sound into heavier territories.

“Our recent album Close to the Clouds hinted a bit at our more rocking direction”, remarks lead singer and guitarist Adam Broadhurst. “We’ve just gone that little step further this time.”

From the opening notes of the celtic-tinged Magic is Real to the Deep Purple-esque Leaving Here to the pumped up Foo-ish reinterpretation of fan favourite Summer Skies, every song is delivered with a drive, gusto and energy that is built for the live setting.

Get the sampler here. Better yet, go ahead an buy their albums.

 

 

Art Dolls an Italian experience

craftywoman

Travelling to Italy with doll making on my mind,

I stayed in a Magical Art House, my doll to find.

Butterfly exhibits, markets full of scarves,

Italian wine and cheese, Italians do nothing by halves.

Trip to Niki De Saint Phalle sculptures all around,

creativity, inspiration and the Empress crowned.

Now back in Scotland with an alchemists  haunt,

I place fabric and colour from my Italian jaunt.

The Empress of the park

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Between the Cracks: Interstitial Arts

If, like me, you enjoy creative arts that fall between the cracks of conventions and genres, I’d like to recommend the Interstitial Arts Foundation, and their latest anthology, Interfictions 2.

The anthology showcases twenty-one writers from six countries.

From the Amazon book description: “Newcomers such as Alaya Dawn Johnson, Theodora Goss, and Alan DeNiro rub shoulders with established visionaries such as Jeffrey Ford (The Drowned Life), Brian Francis Slattery (Liberation), Nin Andrews (The Book of Orgasms), and M. Rickert (Map of Dreams). Also featured are works by Will Ludwigsen, Cecil Castellucci, Ray Vukcevich, Carlos Hernandez, Lavie Tidhar, Elizabeth Ziemska, Peter M. Ball, Camilla Bruce, Amelia Beamer, William Alexander, Shira Lipkin, Lionel Davoust, Stephanie Shaw, and David J. Schwartz. Colleen Mondor, of the well-known blog Chasing Ray, interviews the editors for the afterword. Henry Jenkins, ex-director of MIT’s Comparative Media Studies program and now a member of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and School of Cinematic Arts, provides a fantastic introduction sure to set readers’ imaginations alight.”

Babylon Slide – Out Now

The third novel in my Kendrick Chronicles, Babylon Slide, has just come out as an audiobook from Blackstone Audio, Inc. John Lee does an incredible job of the narration. I’ve been a fan of his since hearing him narrate audiobooks such as Some Kind of Fairytale by Graham Joyce and The City and The City by China Mieville. You can also hear his work on books by such big names as Jo Nesbo and George R.R. “Game of Thrones” Martin. The audiobook is available on Amazon, Audible and elsewhere, in both CD and download versions – and do check out the great deals on Downpour.com.

New Thrillers

Jacquie New, that is.

My friend, Jacquie, writes some pretty twisted thrillers (I mean that in a good way). She’s offering her short story, The Yellow Cottage, for free right now.

And do check out her new collection, Predator or Prey.  Definite shades of Tales from the Crypt with a touch of O.Henry surprise endings.

Jacquie offers tons of great content on her website, like writing tips and much more. She’s a big supporter of indie writers, and she regularly showcases the ones who catch her eye. You can also sign up for her free newsletter.

Babylon Slide audiobook extract

The third novel in my Kendrick Chronicles crime series, Babylon Slide, is released as an audiobook on 1 February, 2015. The narrator is the wonderful John Lee. You can hear a sample of the book on Blackstone Audio’s library edition page right now. The book will be available next month through all the usual channels, such as Downpour.com, Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere.