Interviewing: Christopher Priest

Back when I joined the Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle I asked the members, who were clearly much better versed in the genre than I was, for recommendations of authors to read. The suggestions I received formed the basis of an excellent education, both in the history of SF and in my own tastes. I discovered, […]

The Importance of Warm Socks

I’m currently coming down from Follycon, the 2018 edition of Eastercon, which was held this year in the pretty (if sodden and sleety) Yorkshire town of Harrogate. I always find Eastercons a revitalising experience as a writer because you’re in place where people are genuinely interested in how you’re getting on. What have you written […]

The year of rediscovering what we do with two hands and a voice

Like many people, I like to use January to take stock and plan what I want to do creatively during the coming twelve months. This year, in writing terms I’ve got a clear and straightforward things-to-do list (one novel, one novella and as many short stories as I can cram into the time available), but […]

2017 Roundup

Time for my annual review of the creative year. It’s always interesting to compare what I’d planned for against what actually came to pass. I always feel that when it comes to creativity, you’ve got to be prepared to roll with it a bit. Some projects won’t work out, while inspiration for others will blizzard in […]

Imposter Syndrome

I have a story forthcoming in an excellent new anthology of horror stories called Imposter Syndrome. Editors James Everington and Dan Howarth have ask the cream of the current British horror writing scene (and also me) for stories of eerie doppelgangers and doubles, clones and imposters, and I’m delighted to be sharing book space with […]

Worldcon schedule

Flying out on Tuesday morning to the wonderful city of Helsinki, this years host of Worldcon, the world science fiction convention. I really couldn’t be more excited. Finland a country about which I’ve harboured a serious curiosity for years now and I can’t wait to finally get over there and spend some time enjoying their […]

BFS award nomination

Really pleased to discover that my short story collection, Secret Language, has been shortlisted for this year’s British Fantasy Award. It has some truly excellent company and whoever wins come the end of September will be a worth winner, I reckon. On the subject of the BFS awards, I’ve been asked to judge the Magazine/Periodical […]

Elasticity: the Best of Elastic Press

Really excited about the imminent release of Elasticity: The Best Of Elastic Press, edited by Andrew Hook. For the uninitiated, between 2002 and 2008 Elastic Press kick-started the careers of dozens of indie, genre and slipstream writers by giving them a platform to showcase their short fiction. I still treasure volumes by the likes of […]

No more heroes

So, I finished a book today. It’s called Queen of Clouds*. Those of you who’ve been paying attention will be all like: Oh, good job, son, well done, but didn’t you just have a book out? In addition to the one that came out this time last year? And don’t forget that anthology last autumn […]

Memoirist launch

The official release date for The Memoirist is this coming Monday, March 20th. You’ll be order it online and from your local bookshop from then. But if you live in the Glasgow area, why not consider coming to our wee, toaty launch event. It’s on Monday, April 3rd, at the Saramago bar in the CCA […]