Record Store Day 2011 : The Haul

Great day out shuttling between Glasgow’s two great little record shops. It was the now established Record Store Day and people were out in their droves, queuing to get their hands on the exclusive releases, listen to the live acts (Admiral Fallow – just superb!) and snaffle some of the free tea and cakes. Outside […]

Eastercon programme activities

If anyone’s interested, involved in a couple of programme items at Eastercon. “Looking outward vs Looking inward” : a discussion about whether SF still retains its spirit of exploration or whether it has become too introspective, is on Friday at 7.30pm. And immediately following that at 9.00pm: “How to run a writing group” : a […]

Show of hands : Eastercon?

All of a sudden it’s that time of year again. Eastercon is in two weeks time. It’s a convention I always enjoy because I get to see lots of friends from various parts of the country (and the world). So, who’s going to be in Birmingham this year then?

A Little Less Busy…

…which is good. I do enjoy all the music and the performing and all that, but it can get a bit full on. April should be quieter and more focused on the genteel pursuits of writing. I’m putting what will hopefully be the finishing touches to the forthcoming Infinity Plus Kindle edition of The Ephemera, […]

BSFA nominees on Starship Sofa

Got a real kick this morning listening to three of the four shortlisted stories for this year’s BSFA award for short fiction on the always exciting Starship Sofa podcast. Thought all three readings were well done and showcased the stories well, and urge anyone who is eligible to vote for the BSFA awards to get […]

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Some time in early 1984 I did something that changed my life. I went to a gig at the Glasgow Apollo. Everyone has a first gig story, and I imagine there are thousands similar to me whose own recollections involve the faded glitz of that venerable venue – the red and the glittery gold interior, […]

The long road to musical greatness

Hugely enjoyed tonight’s trip to Edinburgh to take part in the launch for Mutation Press‘s “Music For Another World”, an anthology of stories involving music. Unfortunately, thanks to sitting in an M8 traffic jam, I was disappointed to arrive too late to hear Jim Steel and Sean Martin read from their contributions, but I was […]

NAF : FRIGHTENED RABBIT / The Winter Of Mixed Drinks

Not done one of these for ages. You remember, New Album Friday is where I dash out to FOPP on a Friday lunchtime, return to the office with a new CD and blog the first impressions. What happened? Was it winter? Did I stop going out and buying new albums? Do any of you give […]

Other things to do

Course if nothing in the list below takes your fancy you could always try one of the following: Download Hal Duncan’s latest Scruffians story. Listen again to the Murnie session that we did for Pulse Community Radio’s ‘Under the Radar’ show. There’ll be a highlights show broadcast over the next week either at 98.4FM if […]

Things to do

Blog’s been quiet lately because the first two months of 2010 kicked off in busy fashion. Lots to see, lots to do, including gigs and WordDogs and all sorts. And the first Murnie gig in two years, and nearly half a book punched into the netbook have polished up the old brass plaque inscribed self-satisfaction […]